NPRA Applauds House Passage of Consumer Protection Measure on Ethanol

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Charles T. Drevna, president of NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, issued the following statement today following House passage of an amendment blocking federal funding of Environmental Protection Agency action implementing the use of a higher level of ethanol in gasoline:

"Every American who owns a car, light-duty truck, motorcycle, snowmobile or outdoor power equipment will benefit by the House vote that has the effect of blocking the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol, known as E15. House members in both parties have served the best interests of the American people on this important consumer protection issue, and we urge the Senate to join them.

"EPA's approval of the sale of E15 for late-model cars and light-duty trucks was unwise and premature, because thorough and objective scientific testing to establish whether E15 will damage gasoline-powered engines has not been completed. In addition, EPA approval of E15 was unlawful because it did not cover all gasoline-powered engines. It could have led to misfueling that could have cost Americans millions of dollars in engine repair bills.

"America's petroleum refiners have been manufacturing safe, reliable and proven fuels to serve the American people for more than 100 years and will be doing so for many decades to come. We appreciate the work of Rep. John Sullivan and the many House members who supported his important consumer protection amendment."      

– NPRA –

NPRA members include more than 450 companies, including virtually all U.S. refiners and petrochemical manufacturers. Our members supply consumers with a wide variety of products and services used daily in their home and businesses. These products include gasoline, diesel fuel, home heating oil, jet fuel, lubricants and the chemicals that serve as "building blocks" in making everything from plastics to clothing to medicine to computers.

SOURCE National Petrochemical & Refiners Association