WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a measure that would raise the amount of ethanol that can be blended into fuel from 10 percent (E10) to 15 percent (E15) for all vehicles built in the last decade.

Friday’s decision to permit E15 for 2001-to-2006 model year vehicles follows an October decision by the EPA to permit blends up to E15 in vehicles 2007 model year and newer.

According to Growth Energy, a collective of ethanol-supporters focused on growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy, the full move to E15 creates a bigger market for American ethanol that could help create as many as 136,000 new jobs in the United States and eliminate as much as 8 million metric tons of GHG emissions from the air in a year — the equivalent of taking 1.35 million vehicles off the road.

The previous standard – which permits up to 10 percent ethanol blended into fuel – was set in the 1970s to help spur the growth of a domestic, renewable fuels industry in answer to America’s first major oil crisis, engineered by OPEC.

A number of automotive industry associations have voiced their opposition to the measure, including SEMA and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM).

AIAM says it is disappointed with the EPA’s decision to expand its partial waiver to 2001-2006 model year vehicles.

“AIAM member companies are pioneering technologies to advance the goal of increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” the association wrote in an official statement on Friday. “We have, and continue to support the use of alternative fuels, including ethanol.

However, before any new fuel is introduced into the marketplace for use in current vehicles and engines not warranted or certified for such fuel, we believe comprehensive, independent and objective scientific testing must be completed to show that the fuel will not increase air pollution, harm engines, or endanger consumers and that there are adequate protections to prevent misfueling.”

Several weeks ago, SEMA requested the EPA suspend its partial waiver to permit the sale of E15 for model year 2007 and newer vehicles. In a written statement, SEMA said it Friday’s decision seems to conflict with President Obama’s Executive Order from earlier in the week requiring government agencies to balance social and economic costs.

“The EPA agrees with SEMA that older cars (pre-model year 2001) should not be fueled with E15. The EPA reached its decision based over concern that ethanol’s corrosive qualities could harm the vehicle’s engine and other metal, plastic and rubber components. The EPA has proposed that a warning label be posted on the gas pump to prevent misfueling. SEMA opposes this solution as incomplete given the significant threat of damage that could arise from misfueling,” the association stated. “Even for newer vehicles, the label will cause confusion since most owner’s manuals instruct the motorist not to use ethanol blends higher than E10 and warranty coverage may be denied for damage caused by misfueling.”