Environmental and industry groups are launching a joint campaign calling on Congress to require thorough and objective scientific testing before allowing an increase in the amount of ethanol in gasoline.
Raising concerns about consumer safety and environmental protection, the groups have joined forces to sponsor an ad with the tagline "Say no to untested E15" as part of an effort to persuade Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency to reject calls by some in the ethanol industry to allow the amount of ethanol in gasoline to increase by 50 percent.
Most gasoline sold in the United States contains 10 percent ethanol. Some ethanol lobbyists are seeking to boost that to 15 percent or to compromise with a boost to 12 percent.
The groups are contacting members of Congress and have posted the first ad and other material, warning against higher levels of ethanol without adequate testing, on the websitewww.followthescience.org.
The first ad will begin running Thursday in Politico and Roll Call, and continue in these publications and Congress Daily next week. More ads are expected to follow later.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association is one of the ad's sponsors, according to the groups' statement.
"Some ethanol companies want consumers to pump first and ask questions later," National Petrochemical & Refiners Association president Charles Drevna said in a statement. "Rather than run a giant science experiment on the vehicles and gasoline-powered equipment owned by just about every American family, we believe Congress and the EPA have a responsibility to protect the public. They shouldn't authorize E15 unless full and complete scientific testing confirms it's safe and compatible with all gasoline-powered engines."
