Governor Vetoes Proposal Requiring Enhanced Ethanol Labeling at Indiana Fuel Pumps

April 27, 2021

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by Dan Carden (NWI.com) Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb has vetoed legislation that would have required fuel blends containing between 10% and 15% ethanol, also known as E15, be prominently labeled on Indiana fuel pumps.

Senate Enrolled Act 303 proposed mandating a label be placed next to the selection button on fuel pumps that included in large, bold type — "Attention: E15. Check owner's manual for compatibility and warranty requirements."

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most vehicles manufactured after 2001 and all flexible fuel vehicles can use E15, though the owner's manuals of many post-2001 vehicles recommend not using E15.

Holcomb said he vetoed the measure because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency already requires E15 pumps have a label advising consumers of the possible implications of using the fuel in certain engines, and an Indiana label would be needlessly duplicative.

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A majority vote in each chamber is all that's needed to override the governor's veto and enact the law notwithstanding his objection. READ MORE includes VIDEO

Holcomb vetoes ethanol warning (Journal Gazette)

Indiana governor vetoes bill requiring ethanol warning label (Associated Press)

Holcomb Defends Biofuel Producers and Farmers (WOWO)

INDIANA GROUPS HAVE MIXED REACTIONS TO E15 BILL BEING VETOED (Brownfield Ag News)

Governor's Veto of Ethanol Warning Upheld by Indiana Senate (US News and World Report/Associated Press)

Indiana Senate upholds 2021 veto of E15 labeling bill (Ethanol Producer Magazine)

Excerpt from Brownfield Ag News: CountryMark is disappointed in the decision.

President and CEO Matt Smorch says CountryMark’s goal in seeing the legislation passed was to sell more ethanol blended fuel throughout Indiana.

“Without updating Indiana’s definition of gasohol, selling E15 at our terminal system in Indiana year-round is simply not possible,” he says. “We regret that a consumer awareness label kept our state from moving forward ethanol legislation that would have benefited fuel consumers, our Indiana agricultural communities, and our state’s economy.”

But, he says the farmer-owned cooperative will continue to work to find the right compromise from all parties that will provide the needed clarity to advance liquid fuels for the future.

In a letter about Holcomb’s decision to veto the bill, the governor said he does support a provision in the bill that redefines gasohol and makes clear that E15 can be sold year-round in the state. He is encouraging the Indiana General Assembly to codify the definition next year. READ MORE

Excerpt from US News and World Report: The Indiana Senate narrowly upheld a veto that Gov. Eric Holcomb issued last year on a bill that would have required additional labeling for fuel pumps distributing E15, a fuel blend that contains up to 15% ethanol in gasoline.

he Indiana Senate narrowly upheld a veto that Gov. Eric Holcomb issued last year on a bill that would have required additional labeling for fuel pumps distributing E15, a fuel blend that contains up to 15% ethanol in gasoline.

Senators voted 26-24 on Thursday to sustain the veto despite arguments from bill sponsor Sen. Mark Messmer of Jasper that the labels were needed to warn drivers about possible damage the fuel blend could cause to engines in older cars and other equipment.

Holcomb wrote in his veto message last spring that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency already mandates all E15 pumps have warning stickers and called having a state requirement “unnecessary and confusing.”

The Indiana Ethanol Producers Association called the bill anti-ethanol and anti-fuel choice, saying it was concerned the state warning would discourage E15 sales.

The Senate vote was held open for several minutes with a tie vote on the veto possible as Sen. Jeff Raatz of Richmond was absent from the Senate chamber. Some cheers greeted Raatz’s arrival and he voted to uphold the governor’s veto. READ MORE