July 28, 2009, 2:03 pm Oregon Eases Ethanol Requirements
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/oregon-eases-ethanol-requirements/
By Kate Galbraith
Ty Wright/Bloomberg News An Exxon gas station in Eugene, Oregon.
Gas stations across Oregon will now be allowed to sell premium gasoline not blended with ethanol, in accordance with a bill signed into law last week by Gov. Ted Kulongoski.
The law modestly adjusts a state policy requiring gas stations to sell 10 percent ethanol blends. Boaters and others have rebelled against the requirement, saying that ethanol hurts small engines.
Previously, the state permitted groups like boaters or antique car owners to buy ethanol-free, or clear, gasoline at certain stations. But some Oregonians have complained that they had to drive too far out of their way to obtain the fuel.
The new bill, while allowing all stations to sell unblended premium, still restricts its usage to boats, airplanes, antique cars, snowmobiles and other specific engine types.
On the federal level, meanwhile, regulators are weighing whether to allow the sale of 15 percent ethanol blends, an increase from the current ceiling of 10 percent for most fuel.
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/oregon-eases-ethanol-requirements/
By Kate Galbraith
Gas stations across Oregon will now be allowed to sell premium gasoline not blended with ethanol, in accordance with a bill signed into law last week by Gov. Ted Kulongoski.
The law modestly adjusts a state policy requiring gas stations to sell 10 percent ethanol blends. Boaters and others have rebelled against the requirement, saying that ethanol hurts small engines.
Previously, the state permitted groups like boaters or antique car owners to buy ethanol-free, or clear, gasoline at certain stations. But some Oregonians have complained that they had to drive too far out of their way to obtain the fuel.
The new bill, while allowing all stations to sell unblended premium, still restricts its usage to boats, airplanes, antique cars, snowmobiles and other specific engine types.
On the federal level, meanwhile, regulators are weighing whether to allow the sale of 15 percent ethanol blends, an increase from the current ceiling of 10 percent for most fuel.