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ACE Testimony to EPA Advocates for Greater Emphasis on Low Carbon, High Octane Ethanol in Vehicle Emissions Standards

Posted on 08/25/2021

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings testifies today during a virtual public hearing on the Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed earlier this month.

Jennings’ testimony emphasizes how EPA’s proposal must place much greater emphasis on improving the quality of liquid fuel, which 98 percent of the 270 million light-duty vehicles on the road use, by including steps to replace fossil fuel with a lower carbon and higher octane fuel, such as ethanol, in order to significantly cut CO₂ emissions from their tailpipes.

“If the overarching goal is net-zero emissions by mid-century, let’s start making progress right now by taking full advantage of the 15 billion gallons of domestically produced ethanol available today as an affordable way to boost octane and meaningfully reduce GHG emissions from gasoline powered engines,” Jennings remarks state.

Jennings testimony on behalf of ACE members concludes by highlighting three recommendations for EPA’s consideration in the final rule that ACE will detail, along with others, in its submitted comments.

1. Establish a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) rating for fuel in the range of 98 to 100 RON with 25 to 30 percent ethanol and provide automakers with a corresponding cert fuel for engine testing purposes.
2. Adopt the latest Department of Energy GREET model with respect to the lifecycle GHG emissions of ethanol and other transportation fuels.
3. Instead of putting EPA’s thumb on the scale to favor electric vehicles through multipliers and compliance credits, establish a technology-neutral approach that also provides automakers with incentives to produce flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and vehicles designed to achieve optimal efficiency and reduced emissions on high octane ethanol blends.

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