HR0312 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0312 LRB098 11798 MST 44908 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Environmental Protection Agency has identified gasoline blended with ethanol levels above E10 as being harmful to motor vehicles prior to 2001 models; the EPA's national mandate provides a waiver for E15 gasoline to be used only in motor vehicles manufactured after 2000; and

WHEREAS, A study of marine engines, a barometer for engines in pre-2001 motor vehicles, showed that the use of E15 gasoline, levels of ethanol at only half of the E30 fuels that some are encouraging the use of, caused total engine failure, misfires, and poor running quality; test engines were unable to run properly and dependably on E15; and

WHEREAS, A survey by the American Automotive Association (AAA) found that E15 may cause consumer confusion, void warranties, and contribute to vehicle damage; the AAA survey found that only 12 million out of the 240 million light-duty vehicles on the roads today are approved by manufacturers to use E15; 5 manufacturers stated their warranties would not cover fuel-related claims caused by E15, and 8 additional manufacturers stated that E15 did not comply with fuel requirements in owners' manuals and may void warranty coverage; AAA's automotive engineering experts believe that sustained use of E15 could result in costly problems such as accelerated engine wear and failure, fuel-system damage, and false "check engine" lights in some cars; 95% of consumers surveyed were not familiar with E15, indicating a strong likelihood of consumer confusion leading to misfueling; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 52, currently pending in the Illinois General Assembly, would exacerbate the proliferation of harmful fuels by creating incentives for the sale of gasohol blended at E20 and E30 levels; the EPA allows the use of E15 gasoline in very limited situations, but E20 and E30 blended fuels are not legal for use in any engines; Senate Bill 52 wrongly encourages the sale and use of a type of fuel that is not legally allowed to be sold and used; and

WHEREAS, Both E10 and E85 (for flex-fuel vehicles) blended fuels provide options for consumers that do not cause the problems other forms of fuels do; 95% of gasoline sold in the United States is E10; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge Congress to suspend the sale of gasoline blended with ethanol at levels above E10 until motorists are better protected; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Illinois Congressional delegation.