Here's a classic case of putting the cart before the horse, or in this case approving a new fuel before it's adequately tested.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is reviewing a proposal to affix new E15 labels on gasoline pumps. The problem is that until scientific studies on E15 are completed, no one knows what the labels should say. The labels are part of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plan that could increase the amount of ethanol sold in gasoline.

As we've explained previously, at present gasoline may contain up to 10 percent ethanol (E10). But Growth Energy, which represents ethanol producers, has filed a petition asking EPA to approve fuel containing up to 15 percent ethanol (E15).

A Growth Energy spokesperson calls OMB's review of the labeling proposal "definitely... more »

Why is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in such a hurry to grant a waiver allowing E15 to be sold in the marketplace?

E15 is a fuel blend containing 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. At present, only blends containing up to 10 percent ethanol are permitted, but ethanol producers are pushing for higher ethanol content. EPA has indicated it will make a decision on E15 this fall, despite the fact that scientific research on the fuel won't be completed until 2011.

Now a new study urges caution, saying that the introduction of this new fuel blend is more complicated than it might appear on the surface. The study, conducted by Sierra Research and commissioned by API, says:

"There are many changes that need to be made to federal, state, and local requirements as well as issues... more »