A recent study indicates many in the U.S. are concerned that their wallets could be negatively affected by the Renewable Fuel Standard, the American Petroleum Institute (API) said in a release.
“Sixty-eight percent of registered voters are concerned about the government requiring increased amounts of ethanol in gasoline and 74 percent agree that federal regulations could contribute to increased costs at the pump,” API Downstream Group Director Frank Macchiarola said in the release.
Completed on March 27, the study on behalf of API sampled over 1,000 U.S. registered voters, the release said.
“Consumers have spoken loud and clear. The results of a new national API poll on the ethanol mandate send another strong signal to policymakers that RFS reform is desperately needed," Macchiarola said in the release.
The poll also showed that 70 percent of voters think the use of more corn for ethanol could increase food prices, 59 percent oppose moving the point of obligation to shift the program’s compliance burden, while only 20 percent support such a change, the release said.
“Nearly 85 percent of vehicles on the road today were not designed for higher ethanol blends, such as E15. And many automakers say that using E15 could potentially void new car warranties. Higher ethanol blends threaten engines and fuel systems – potentially forcing drivers to pay for costly repairs," Macchiarola said in the release. “We continue to urge Congress to pass legislation to fix the program, but until there is a fix, EPA should provide relief from the unreasonable statutory mandate.”
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