The state of Maine is taking a decisive stance against blending ethanol with gasoline, seeking to approve a bill that will ban the fuel if two other New England states pass similar laws.
The Maine House also took a stance against E15, unanimously endorsing a resolution to urge the government to ban gasoline with a 15-percent ethanol blend. According to the report from Bangor Daily News, state legislators approved a bill by more than a 3-to-1 vote to ban ethanol blends in Maine.
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The state is citing potential engine and environmental damage as a result of ethanol blends, despite the government approving ethanol for use. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowed the public sale of E15 in June 2012, looking to cut dependency on foreign oil.
According to AAA, about 95 percent of vehicle owners could face the possibility of voided warranties if they fuel up with E15. Five automakers explicitly stated their warranties wouldn’t cover E15 according to a recent survey, while eight other automakers stated E15 doesn’t comply with their vehicles’ fuel requirements and could result in a voided warranty.
[Source: BDN Maine]