SEMA is opposing Iowa legislation to change labeling requirements on gas pumps across the state to only require labeling for unblended gasoline and E85. Current law in Iowa requires labeling when gasoline is blended with ethanol, in any amount. If enacted, the bill would remove labeling requirements for ethanol-blended gasoline containing 15% or less ethanol, thereby increasing the risk of misfueling and potential engine damage. Unblended gas is required to be labeled, but there is no guarantee that unblended gas will be available. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been urged to create national labeling requirements for ethanol-blended gasoline that are placed as close as possible to the pump’s product-selection mechanism. However, since such requirements are not currently in place, vehicle owners must rely on state-labeling requirements for information about the gasoline they use in their vehicles. The bill has been approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee and is pending consideration in the Ways and Means Committee.
For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.