WASHINGTON, D.C. -

A decision made this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is particularly important to dealers who handle vehicles from the 2000 model year and older.

The EPA issued fuel pump labeling and other requirements for gasoline blends containing more than 10 percent and up to 15 percent ethanol, known as E15. These requirements will help ensure that E15 is properly labeled and used once it enters the market.

Why is this important for older vehicles? Federal officials emphasized that E15 fuel is not for units from the 2000 model year and older.

Furthermore, this type of ethanol is not designed for motorcycles and vehicles with heavy-duty engines such as school buses, transit buses and delivery trucks, as well as off-road units such as boats and snowmobiles and off-road equipment such as lawnmowers and chain saws.

The EPA indicated the new orange and black label must appear on fuel pumps that dispense E15. This label is designed to inform consumers about which vehicles can use E15.

Over the past year, federal officials recapped that they issued two partial waivers under the Clean Air Act that in sum allow E15 to be sold for use in model year 2001 and newer cars and light trucks. EPA said it based its waiver decisions on testing and analysis showing that these vehicles could continue to meet emission standards if operated on E15.

However, the EPA reiterated that it does not mandate the use of E15, nor has the agency registered the fuel, which is required before E15 can be legally sold for use in conventional vehicles.

Officials went on to highlight the E15 pump label requirements — developed in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission — adopt elements of FTC’s existing labels for alternative fuels to promote consistent labeling.

Moreover, they mentioned the rule also includes a prohibition against misfueling with E15, a requirement to track E15 and other fuels as they move through the fuel supply chain so that E15 can be properly blended and labeled, in addition to a quarterly survey designed to help ensure that gas pumps dispensing E15 are properly labeled.

“In addition, it modifies the Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) Program to allow fuel producers to certify batches of E15 as complying with RFG standards,” EPA stated.

“This action will help to further reduce the risks of potential misfueling that could result in damage to the vehicle or equipment and in associated emission increases that pose threats to human health and the environment,” the agency continued.

Officials also pointed out they are issuing guidance on the compatibility of underground storage tanks (USTs) with gasoline containing greater than 10 percent ethanol or diesel containing greater than 20 percent biodiesel. The guidance is intended to assist UST owners and operators in meeting the existing federal UST compatibility requirements.

For more details from the EPA about proper E15 usage, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/index.htm.