The Pennsylvania State Senate recently passed legislation sponsored by State Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) to update Pennsylvania’s E-85 fuel blend standard so that it would align with national standards.
“This legislation is a simple and common-sense solution, which will help sustain Pennsylvania’s flex-fuel economy,” Ward said in a statement released Nov. 18.
Senate Bill (SB) 1058, which Ward sponsored in late September alongside two Republican cosponsors, received a 49-0 vote from the Senate on Nov. 18 and advanced to the State House, which referred it to the Transportation Committee for action.
Currently, the state defines the alternative fuels tax encompassing E-85 fuel as containing at least 85 percent ethanol.
However, this definition conflicts with the U.S. Department of Energy’s flex-fuel standard and the ASTM International D5798 standard, which conclusively define E85 fuel as containing 51 percent to 83 percent ethanol.
“The current criterion in Pennsylvania law is outdated and undermines the alternative fuel market, by creating an unachievable standard and jeopardizing the ability of our gas station retailers to promote alternative fuels,” said Ward. “The only E-85 fuel blend available in the marketplace contains 51-to-83 percent ethanol, with no ethanol blends that meet Pennsylvania’s current standard being available to consumers.”
If enacted, SB 1058 would change the definition of the alternative fuels tax in the Vehicle Code to define E-85 fuel as containing 51 percent to 85 percent ethanol so that it aligns with federal standards.
The bill is supported by both the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association and the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.