EPA approves more ethanol in fuel for cars

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly two thirds of drivers could have more corn-based ethanol in their fuel tanks under an Environmental Protection Agency decision today.

The agency said that 15 percent ethanol blended with gasoline is safe for cars and light-duty trucks manufactured between 2001 and 2006, expanding an October decision that the higher blend is safe for cars built since 2007.The maximum gasoline blend has been 10 percent ethanol.

The fuel is popular in farm country because most ethanol comes from corn and other grains. It faces strong opposition, however, from the auto industry, environmentalists, cattle ranchers, food companies and a broad coalition of other groups.

Those groups say that using corn to make ethanol makes animal feed more expensive, raises prices at the grocery store and tears up the land. There already have been several lawsuits filed against the EPA — including one filed by automakers, boat manufacturers and outdoor power equipment manufacturers — since the agency decided to allow the higher blends for newer cars in October.