Chicago Council Considers Mandating E15 Fuel at Some Stations

Chicago Sun-Times editorial rejects the measure, saying ‘benefits don’t justify the costs.’

April 30, 2015

CHICAGO – Should Chicago require E15 pumps at larger city gas stations? That’s a proposal before the City Council that an editorial in the Chicago Sun-Times considers ill-advised.

The ordinance under review would mandate that larger gas stations in the city have at least one E15 pump. Those in favor of the measure point to $11 million earmarked by the industry to assist stations in making the transition to E15. These alternative-fuels supporters want Chicago to be the first major city in the United States to have E15 at around a quarter of the city’s gas stations.

The price tag to retrofit around 100 stations with E15 pumps would run about $300,000 per station — with no guarantee that the funds set aside for such construction would even be enough, according to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

The editorial also pointed out that, “E15 can damage lawnmowers, snow blowers and other gasoline-powered tools, especially older models. It could invalidate warranties on some of the city’s 13,000 boats. Older cars, trucks and motorcycles also would be at risk. Auto companies say E15 would void warranties for many models, and not all models now coming off the assembly lines are compatible with E15.”

Meanwhile, the Illinois Senate killed a similar bill last week, while a House version has been stuck in committee. Several gas station chains have recently announced their own plans to expand E15. Kum & Go will add the higher ethanol blend to 65 locations, and Murphy USA will make E15 available in the Chicago and Houston suburbs.

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