By voting 286 - 135 against the EPA plan, the House reacted to the many calls from car makers and engine manufacturers to stop the legislation. EPA's plan was to allow US gas pumps to sell E15 (E15 fuel would have been allowed for use in 2001-2006 model year cars) was the target of many critics coming from the producers, critics that now seem to have been embraced by the House.
"The EPA has completely ignored calls from lawmakers, industry, environmental and consumer groups to address important safety issues raised by the 50 percent increase in the ethanol mandate issued over the past year.
"Putting E15 into our general fuel supply could adversely impact up to 60 percent of cars on the road today leading to consumer confusion at the pump and possible engine failure in the cars they drive," said according to DetNews Rep. John Sullivan, R-Oklahoma, the man to be largely considered responsible for the EPA plan failure.
At the opposite end, the Renewable Fuels Association, a group comprised mainly of ethanol producers, says that the vote cast by the House severely limits the freedom of choice of American consumers when it comes to the fuel used.
“Instead, they have chosen to continue giving oil companies a virtual monopoly over the fueling system," DetNews cites the Association as saying.
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