Poll: Ethanol mandate in fuels worries US voters

About 78% of registered voters are concerned that breaching the ethanol blend wall could drive up the cost of gasoline for consumers and reduce the nation’s fuel supply (91% of Republicans, 80% of Independents, and 73% of Democrats), according to a new poll of 1,021 registered voters conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute (API).

“Across the political spectrum, voters are concerned about the significant damage the RFS-mandated higher ethanol blends could cause to automobiles, motorcycles and almost every type of gasoline powered engine,” said Bob Greco, group director of downstream and industry operations at the API.  “The public gets it. Regardless of their party affiliation, voters are concerned with mandates that try to force too much ethanol into our fuel supply.

 “Our new energy realities have made the RFS obsolete. Americans aren’t consuming as much gasoline as Congress assumed they would when they wrote the legislation in 2007.  That means current ethanol mandates push far more ethanol – far too quickly – into gasoline than today’s vehicles can safely accommodate.” 

According to the Department of Energy’s fuel economy website, fuel costs can be significantly higher when consumers use higher ethanol blends. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office predicts that increasing mandates under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could push gasoline costs up.

Additionally, the API says that EPA data show lifecycle emissions from corn ethanol are higher than gasoline.

More results from the poll:

About 75% are concerned that auto manufacturers have said they will not warranty their vehicles if the car's owner fuels up with an ethanol blend that is over 10%. (80% of Republicans, 80% of Independents and 74% of Democrats).

Moreover, 77% are concerned that diverting more corn to energy production rather than to food could result in higher food costs and contribute to world hunger. (85% of Republicans, 82% of Independents and 76% of Democrats).

 “EPA must immediately waive down the 2016 total ethanol mandate to below 9.7% of total gasoline demand, Greco said. “This would provide a stopgap solution and temporarily protect consumers by avoiding the 10% ethanol blend wall while allowing some non-ethanol gasoline to meet consumer demand. We’ll use this poll to remind members of Congress and the administration that American voters are very concerned about the costs and consequences of this unworkable and unnecessary mandate.”