TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 3, 2013) — By a 33-1 vote, the Florida Senate has approved H.B. 4001, a bill to repeal the state's requirement that all gasoline sold in the state contain at least some ethanol.
The Florida Renewable Fuels Act currently requires that all gasoline offered for sale in Florida contain at least 9 or 10-percent ethanol or other alternative fuel by volume, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) said on its SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.
"H.B. 4001 recognizes that ethanol increases water formation, which can then corrode metals, plastics and rubber—especially over a period of time when the vehicle is not used," SEMA said.
While the Florida Renewable Fuels Act exempts fuels designed for collector vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles and small engines, the general ethanol mandate makes it difficult if not impossible to obtain unblended gasoline within the state, SEMA said.
SEMA urged its members to contact Florida Gov. Rick Scott to request his support for H.B. 4001. To learn more, go to the trade group's website.