WASHINGTON — More than 30 diverse organizations, including the American Meat Institute, have joined forces to request extending another 60 days the Environmental Protection Agency’s comment period for a petition that would increase the permitted amount of ethanol in gasoline from its current 10% level to 15%. 

The E.P.A. Docket No: (EPA–HQ–OAR–2009–0211; FRL–8894–5), "Notice of Receipt of a Clean Air Act Waiver Application to Increase the Allowable Ethanol Content of Gasoline to 15 Percent; Request for Comment," was published April 21 in the Federal Register.

The organizations said in a letter addressed to the E.P.A. docket clerk they appreciated the agency’s efforts in soliciting comments on this waiver application. But the letter added that due to the complexity and highly technical nature of the application’s potential implications, a 60-day extension is needed — particularly given the diverse array of parties that would be impacted, as well as the limited time to review (EPA–HQ– OAR–2009–0211; FRL–8894–5).

"Granting this request will allow all interested stakeholders a more appropriate opportunity to develop useful and substantive comments for the Agency to consider. We believe it is important that all stakeholders be provided adequate review time," the letter stated.

The entire letter can be viewed by clicking: