Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Call to Protect Ethanol Interests Gets Results
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt's call to UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) to certify and approve E-85 fuel pumps joined with similar requests from ethanol and alternative fuel stakeholders has led to the company's assurance it is making every effort to expedite the work.
“Underwriters Laboratories' assurance they are working to approve an E-85 pump will help safeguard Missouri produced alternative fuels' place in the energy market,” Blunt said. “I am pleased they are responding to the call for quick action.”
UL serves as the clearinghouse to certify and approve appliances and other consumer products. The company has approved E-85 pump components but not the actual dispensing station. In a letter he sent to the company last month, Blunt joined stakeholders in calling for quick action to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Since then, the company co-hosted a technical forum to work toward finalizing requirements for fuel dispensers. The company is now actively working to collect and assess information in order to build a suitable test protocol. Once UL finalizes requirements, they will proceed with evaluations and certification of the dispensing system.
In Missouri, the Department of Agriculture has authority over E-85 pumps, and state law does not require UL certification. To ensure safe operations, the department has doubled inspection frequency, from every six to every three months, and will allow E-85 pumps to operate without UL approval as long as no safety risks are discovered.
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