Recope’s Plan For Ethanol Faces Appeals And Objection From Politicians

by Rico (Q Costa Rica) Five appeals have been filed with the Constitutional Court, while opposition party calls for accounts -- The plan by the State refinery RECOPE to replace super gasoline with an ethanol mix called Eco95 starting at the end of May faces appeals before the Constitutional Court or Sala IV and objection from opposition political parties.

On Monday, the press office of the Sala IV confirmed the receipt of a ‘recurso de amparo’ (writ) filed by Erick Mirando Picado, Félix Miranda Quesada and Jadiel Quesada Monge, private vehicle owners.

In addition, former libertarian legislator, Natalia Díaz, and the PUSC party legislator Pedro Muñoz, have filed writs.

According to the vehicle owners, Recope’s decision to incorporate ethanol into super gasoline can cause “considerable damage to the vehicles that use it, as it has been recognized by the same officials of the refinery”.

In their filing, the explain, Recope cannot guarantee that gasoline mixed with ethanol will not damage automotive systems. In addition, they add that the option of modifying vehicles to alter manufacturers design does not guarantee that the vehicles will not suffer any damage.

Meanwhile, former legislator Diaz asks the high court judges to suspend the distribution and sale of the ethanol mixture, “for its arbitrary imposition of forcing us to use it.” READ MORE

Excerpt from Q Costa Rica: This fuel will be ¢7 colones cheaper than the current super, with a retail price of ¢613.05 colones per liter (subject to the approval of the Public Services Regulatory Authority – Aresep).

This mixture will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by helping the environment.

It (Eco 95) will be a colorless fuel with 8% ethanol. RECOPE says the measurements that were made indicate that it has more power which allows traveling at a higher speed and consumption remains the same and that well maintained vehicles will not have problems and will have better performance.

RECOPE (the refinery that refines nothing) assures that Plus 91 or ‘regular’ gasoline retains its current formulation, without the addition of ethanol and that it is up to the users to verify the required octane number, referring to the vehicle’s manual.

It should be noted that Costa Rica follows the global trend in fuels, since ethanol has been in the energy matrix of many countries for years, including the United States, Jamaica, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay; as well as India, Japan, China and much of Europe. Including, in many places the use of ethanol is mandatory. READ MORE