May 15, 2022: A new White Paper from the Clean Fuels Development Coalition rings the alarm that EPA continues to miss opportunities to replace toxic aromatic compounds with clean burning ethanol and the agency could save thousands of lives through reduced particulate emissions in the air we breathe.
Authored by Senior Advisor for Climate Solutions at the United Nations Foundation Reid Detchon, and former Chrysler Director of Regulatory Affairs Reg Modlin, the paper makes a compelling case that the EPA has to go beyond its past practice of regulating vehicles alone and address the composition of gasoline as well. Enabling the use of low-carbon, high-octane fuels in existing vehicles would achieve immediate reductions in emissions from mobile sources that are impossible to realize in any other way. Moreover, corn ethanol with its low carbon and high octane, if used in higher concentrations like an E30 blend, could reduce aromatic content by 40%.
The authors dispel myths with respect to corn ethanol’s carbon footprint, impact on land use, impact on food supplies, and emissions and performance concerns.
“As we all seek solutions to cut our carbon emissions in half by 2030 and achieve a net zero economy by 2050, encouraging the use of cleaner and more energy-efficient fuel is a complementary step that will also save thousands of lives each year and protect young children in our cities. Blending more ethanol into gasoline will improve public health, combat climate change, reduce gas prices, and increase our energy security at no extra cost. And new legislation is not required—EPA has all the authority it needs to advance these climate, public health, and environmental justice goals. It’s time for EPA to seize the moment and act.”, said the authors.
For a copy of the White Paper click here, Hard Copies area available by contacting cfcinc@aol.com