Maine Governor Launches Study On Health Effects Of Ethanol Emissions
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Maine Governor Paul R. LePage has issued an executive order for state officials to begin studying the potential health effects of emissions produced by gasoline engines that burn fuel containing ethanol. The order also implements a purchasing preference for state agencies for gasoline that contains only trace amounts of the corn-based additive. LePage says that because "federal mandates" have increased ethanol production in the U.S., that it has affected the air quality in the Pine Tree State.
The fuel preference is only effective when gasoline with a maximum five percent of ethanol is priced the same as fuel blended with a higher concentration of ethanol.
LePage also directed Maine's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) and Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) to review scientific evidence on the health effects of emissions that contain ethanol, as well as the effects of burning fuel with higher ethanol blends. The CDCP and DEP both have until January 1, 2017 to collect their findings and submit a report.
The governor did not specify why he ordered this study, but according to Adrienne Bennett, LePage's spokeswoman, it is a response to concerns that have been voiced by both constituents and legislators about the effects of ethanol.
