Gas used in most cars could have more ethanol

Gasoline could have more ethanol as a proposal for 15 percent blend is closer to approval. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

SPRINGFIELD – Ethanol is marching forward.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has accepted the industry’s research into whether a 15 percent ethanol blend has any ill effects on public or environmental health.

“Health impact studies are one of the things that they look at to ensure that there are no emissions from E-15 that are more harmful than gasoline emissions or emissions from E-10, and they’ve found that to be the case,” said Dave Loos, director of technology and business development for the Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.

Loos said it’s a step toward full acceptance of E-15 for all vehicles made for the 2001 model year and later.

Right now, E-15 is used in “flex fuel” vehicles. Most of the rest of us are using E-10.