NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has established safety requirements for E-85 fuel dispensing equipment, and is now accepting submittals for certification investigations.
The establishment of safety requirements follows the completion of UL’s comprehensive research program to investigate potential safety concerns associated with dispensing highly concentrated ethanol-blended fuels.
“NACS commends UL for moving quickly on this certification process,” John Eichberger, NACS vice president of government relations, told NACS Daily. “The lack of certified dispensers was a deterrent to many retailers who were interested in offering E-85 to their customers but did not want to expose themselves to additional liability.”
Eichberger cautioned, however, against overly optimistic expectation for retail conversions following this announcement. “While UL certification removes a significant, legal barrier to entry which could open to the door to additional E-85 retail locations in the United States, it is important to note that retailers must still reconcile a variety of economic and market factors when deciding whether to convert a facility to sell this alternative fuel.”
Gus Schaefer, UL’s public safety officer, said in a statement: “UL’s research into the safety aspects of the equipment used to dispense high percentage ethanol-blended fuels was a significant undertaking that required the participation of government agencies such as U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Association (EPA), as well as technical experts in biofuels and material compatibility from around the world. We took the need for E-85 dispenser requirements very seriously due to the unique characteristics of ethanol-blended fuels and believe the potential issues we identified through our thorough process will help promote the efficient, effective delivery of E-85 as safely as possible.”
UL’s research indicated that although certain materials found in commercially available dispensers can be expected to perform acceptably when exposed to motor vehicle fuels blended with high concentrations of ethanol, some materials experienced significant deterioration during research tests. The new safety requirements address these material compatibility findings.
“The DOE has been pleased to facilitate an efficient, focused, diligent, and collaborative effort with UL, EPA, and stakeholders. We are pleased with the outcome that offers predictability in planning and growth of E-85 as it becomes a nationwide fueling option. A safe and reliable biofuels infrastructure is essential toward meeting President Bush’s goal of displacing 20 percent of gasoline consumption within a decade by commercializing cost-effective biofuels nationwide,” said Andy Karsner, DOE assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
“UL’s quick completion of test requirements will help expand the use of clean and abundant homegrown fuels to decrease our reliance on imported oil, increase our energy security, and benefit our environment,” said Karsner.