The Urban Air Initiative, an alliance of ethanol, agriculture and clean fuel groups last week filed a brief in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the EPA over regulatory barriers to higher blends of ethanol. Farmers Union is part of that alliance. National Farmers Union’s Biofuels Advisor Anne Steckel says this is a continuation of their court action began last August. She says they’re seeking to get higher blends of ethanol than E-15 approved for year-round use.
She says one reason to allow higher ethanol blends is its positive effects on human health.
South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke says the EPA is not following Congressional intent and is misinterpreting the Clean Air Act by barring higher ethanol blends.
He says by not cleaning up the air in large urban areas with higher ethanol blends, that pollution is harming human health.
Oral arguments in the case are expected sometime this fall.
