The Regulatory Solution

Ask for a Change to Save Our Air

By focusing on fuel and emissions research, UAI uncovered an alarming amount of data showing that aromatics added to gasoline to boost octane is harmful to our health. Aromatics, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene come out of the tailpipe as ultrafine particulates which are so tiny, our bodies cannot filter them and they directly enter our bloodstream. This can contribute to heart disease, low birth weight, and asthma.

UAI was formed to make a difference, improve gasoline, and improve air quality. Why use these toxic aromatics when cleaner options such as ethanol exist? That’s when we discovered a number of regulatory roadblocks and faulty studies which prohibit ethanol’s access to the consumer.

This is why UAI focuses much of its time and attention on collecting information and data to continue building a case for regulatory change. That includes working with universities, labs, and on-the-ground usage to conduct emissions tests using real world fuels. In addition we participate in organizations like EPA, USDA, DOE, ASTM, Auto/Ag alliance, and health working groups to bring ethanol to the table during discussions of engine performance. Plus UAI is creating a fuel blending guide to improve test fuels and pushing for fuel to be part of the new CAFÉ standards.  We believe this behind the scenes work, as well as our agency and legal actions are critical to remove regulatory roadblocks to ensure a cleaner and healthier fuel at the pump.

View Urban Air Initiative Timeline

Right now we are focused on these regulatory barriers that can be changed through EPA Action.

1. Approve a mid-level ethanol blend as a certification fuel for new vehicles.
2. Modify EPA’s mistaken interpretation of the Substantially Similar (Sub-Sim) Law to allow the use mid-level blends under section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act in both new and legacy vehicles.
3. Extend the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver to E15 and higher ethanol blends.
4. Correct the R-Factor to properly calculate the real world fuel efficiency/carbon per mile benefits of ethanol for vehicle certification.
5. Use updated science to assess ethanol’s greenhouse gas and carbon reducing effects.
6. Correct the MOVES Model to accurately assess ethanol’s emission reducing abilities.