Florida - Florida - Ethanol Renewable Fuel Standards & E10 Laws

Portable ethanol fuel testi kits are a simple solution to protect gas-powered engines from too high alcohol content in gasoline.

About Ethanol - Site Contents: History, Fuel, Disadvantages, Benefits, Precautions, Gasoline, E10, E85, FFV's, Renewable and Biofuels, Engines - Marine, Automobiles, Ethanol Politics...

Ethanol alcohol blend fuels, made from corn & grains, can damage engines.

Florida: Renewable Fuel Standards

& Laws

An Alcohol Fuel Test Kit

will give you the data you need to keep engines safe with E10 gasoline.

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July 2009 News-Update: Contaminated Gas Reports Continue to Rise in Florida

View Reports from Consumers.

Florida's Reported E10 Gasoline Problems Include:

- Gas grossly contaminated with water.

(Often due to improper storage of E10 by the gas station retailer or fuel distributor).

- Purchase of E10 gasoline contaminated with dirt, rust and sediment.

(Gas pumps not properly cleaned and prepared prior to switchover to E10 by both the consumer and gas retailer.

- Reports of pumps containing ethanol alcohol that do not have E10 sticker label.

(All over but most have been in Miami and Tampa areas).

- Stations dispensing over 10% legal limit of ethanol at E10 gas pumps.

Highest incidence of reports to us have been from following locations: Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa and St. Petersburg area.

This seems to have resolved when petroleum oil prices dropped and ethanol costs increased (it's no longer profitable for the fuel blender to add extra ethanol).

We strongly advise all people concerned about using gas containing alcohol,

visualize fuel (contaminated fuel usually appears, cloudy, dark, or has visible sediment) and

check fuel at pump for exact alcohol and water content (portable Alcohol Fuel Test Kit).

Once again we must reinforce that when E10 gas blend is fresh and of high quality (meets ASTM standards) most modern engines can run on E10 with only minor inconveniences (lower energy- decreased mpg and efficiency, short shelf life).

Florida's high incidence of contaminated E10 fuel (over past year) far exceeds problems other states experienced during E10 transition over past decade. Sale of contaminated gas is completely preventable...Sadly it appears Florida's government petroleum inspectors are not adequately addressing and resolving the issues.

We strongly advise all consumers to report contaminated gasoline to state government petroleum inspectors. (listed above).

READ: March 2008 Press release from Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,

Title: "Bronson Unveils New Fuel Quality Standards For Gasoline/Ethanol Blends".

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Report abnormal test results and problems with E10 ethanol fuel.

Florida - Ethanol Renewable Fuel Standards & E10 Laws

Resources Florida and U.S. Ethanol Fuel Laws

Visit Florida Bureau of Petroleum Inspection: This department regularly conducts inspection of petroleum fuel distributed throughout Florida to assure fuel meets state standards. In 2006-07 this department issued 352 stop-sale orders to prevent the sale of 961,242 gallons of substandard fuel. www.doacs.state.fl.us/standard/petro/index.html

The U.S. Department of Energy website includes extensive information on renewable and alternative fuels -

Visit Alternative Fuel Data Center (AFDC) www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/incentives_laws.html;

Renewable Fuels Standards www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/ and several other topics on EPA website,

www.epa.gov/air/caa/peg/carstrucks.html

View Federal Renewable Fuel and Ethanol Laws.

Are you following the necessary precautions when using ethanol-blend gasoline?

See Ethanol Precautions

Florida law requires gas pump "labeling" with an E10 sticker on pump

when ethanol is added to gasoline.

Florida RFS (Renewable Fuel standard, March 2008) requires 100% blending of ethanol for public supply of gas by 12/31/2010.

Exemptions exist for fuel used in aircraft, boats and watercraft, fuel sold to a blender, or used in collector vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, and small engines. View House Bill 7135, section 103 of the Florida Statutes.

Despite exemptions, many private fuel stations have reported difficulty obtaining non-ethanol gasoline from their fuel distributors.

Almost all public gas stations in Florida are now selling E10 blends of fuel.

Alcohol Fuel Test Kit and Quik-Check will confirm presence or absence of ethanol

in gasoline at time of purchase.

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In Florida if you suspect gasoline is of poor quality

or contains over 10% legal limit of ethanol,

Contact:

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Standards - Petroleum Inspection

Telephone: (850) 488-9740 Field Office Telephone: (850) 487-2634 Fax : (850) 922-6655

Mailing Address: DOA, Bureau of Petroleum Inspection, 3125 Conner Blvd. Lab 1, Mail Stop L29 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650

- They usually will visit the station and test fuel to determine it meets quality standards and is in compliance with all laws.

If contaminated gas caused damage to your engine or vehicle also notify the gas station owner, the gas brand corporate office (E.G. Shell, B/P, Mobil, Quik-Trip, etc.) and have engine diagnosed and repaired by a certified mechanic.

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