CHARLESTON, W.Va.. (March 5, 2013) — West Virginia House of Delegates member Gary Howell (R-Mineral) has introduced a concurrent resolution urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revoke its decision to allow the sale of gasoline with 15-percent ethanol (E15).
According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the legislator's resolution calls on the E15 moratorium until there is clear and convincing scientific evidence that E15 does not pose a risk to any gasoline-powered vehicle or equipment. Mr. Howell is a delegate for the state's 56th district.
Among other things, SEMA's Washington, D.C., staff reported the resolution recognizes that ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber—especially over a period of time when the vehicle is not used.
Current high-performance specialty parts, along with the pre-2001 cars and parts, may be most susceptible to corrosion, the Diamond Bar, Calif.-based trade group said.