WASHINGTON, April 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it approved the first applications for the use of gasoline that contains up to 15 percent ethanol.
The EPA said the White House is working with fueling station owners to help them install thousands of pumps for mixing ethanol with gasoline. The EPA said it approved the first batch of applications for the use of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol, known as E15.
"Before it can be sold, manufacturers must first take additional measures to help ensure retail stations and other gasoline distributors understand and implement labeling rules and other E15-related requirements," the administration said in a statement. "EPA is not requiring the use or sale of E15."
The EPA said it considers ethanol a renewable fuel source because it is "generally" produced from plant or waste products.
The agency said E15 is permitted only in motor vehicles manufactures after the 2011 model year and in off-road vehicles.
The EPA said it approved 19 fuel manufacturers for E15. Legal restrictions had prevented a mix of more than 10 percent ethanol.
