WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to listen to arguments against enlarging the use of ethanol in the United States, Dow Jones Business News reports. Several trade groups for oil, gas, automobile and food had filed lawsuits against two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decisions that let gasoline blends with 15% ethanol be for sale. 

Right now, nearly all U.S. gasoline sold has 10% ethanol. EPA has okayed the use of E15 in vehicles 2001 model year and higher, but not for older vehicles. The automobile industry has fought E15 on the grounds that it could hurt car engines, triggering safety and warranty claims. Oil refineries claimed E15 would be more costly to their business.

In August 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit tossed all legal challenges out but failed to judge the agency’s actions on E15. By rejecting the groups’ appeals without comment, the Supreme Court allowed the appeals court decision to stand, and nixes any other legal challenge to E15. 

Among those groups appealing the decision to the Supreme Court were the American Petroleum Institute, Grocery Manufacturers Association, American Meat Institute, National Chicken Council, the National Retail Federation’s National Council of Chain Restaurants, North American Meat Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation and the Snack Food Council.