What States use E10

One of the first states, Minnesota, demanded the use of E10 at the local pumps as early as 2003. In 2010 there are at least 32 states that now implement some E10 regulations on gasoline. While many states use the product, the degree of use and public knowledge is very uneven with some states not even required to tell a customer they are using a product containing ethanol in their tanks.

Legislative Acts

Over the years many policies have attempted to bring ethanol to the consumer fuel supply. These acts were met with varying degrees of success, but they built upon each other to get us to the point where nearly every state in the United States uses some form of ethanol enhanced fuel. These acts were the Alternative Motor Fuels Act, the Clean Air Act, the Energy Policy Act and finally, in 2006, the Renewable Fuel Standard Program.

Leading States

Of the initial states to join in the E10 program for developing an Renewable Fuel Standard Program, RFS, only 37 require labels on the pump to let the public know what they are using. Those states are Alabama, Arizona, Alaska, California, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Montana, New York, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Vermont, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, Wyoming and Wisconsin.

Labeling

Many of those states that require E10 use only require a label if the percentage of ethanol is more than 1 or 1.5% or higher. Colorado and South Dakota only require a label if the product is 2% or higher. Seven of the states require a label regardless of the amount. The District of Columbia, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Ohio do not require any signage on the pumps regarding ethanol or alcohol gasoline contents.

Fighting Demand

Wisconsin, Colorado and Indiana all actively fight RFS, the Renewable Fuel Standard program. Legislation in the past fails to get support or ends up being vetoed by the governor.

Finding Their Own

Some states such as Kansas, Hawaii, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Oregon, Montana, Washington and Pennsylvania passed state specific programs to promote RFS. Those states use variations of low-carbon fuel such as cellulosic ethanol in Pennsylvania.

Ethanol Bans

There are some situations where ethanol can’t be used. Aircraft are forbidden to use any ethanol products by the FAA since 1960. Ethanol is not banned in marine engines, but there are some problems introduced by blended fuel especially where fiberglass gasoline storage tanks hold the fuel. Older automobiles, motorcycles or gas-powered motors in non vehicle items will not work properly with E10 or other ethanol blends.