No E-15 Gas For At Least A Year

Gasoline with up to 15 percent ethanol (E-15) probably won't be sold at the pump for at least another year because of health, safety, cost and environmental concerns, a government watchdog said. This is good news for landscape maintenance professionals after numerous articles warned of E-15’s potentially damaging effects on land care equipment.

Nozzles and other equipment that dispense the fuel may leak, posing safety and performance problems, said the Government Accountability Office, Congress's investigative arm. Underground storage tanks used by fuel stations also may leak when holding the so-called E-15, GAO report said. The findings are based on federally sponsored research into potential E-15 use at fuel stations. The report makes clear that the EPA's recent decisions to allow the sale of E-15 rather than just E-10, or gasoline with up to 10 percent ethanol, does not mean that the higher ethanol blend will be offered right away.

The EPA determined the higher ethanol blend is safe for use in vehicles dating to the 2001 model year.