Rumor that Labeling of Ethanol Gas No Longer Required

Answer to Rumor that Gas Station Pump Labeling to Stop in 2010:

Guys, I spoke with Mr. Richard Williams, Director of the Fuels Program in the Louisiana Department of Agriculture earlier this week. There was a rumor that beginning in 2010, the labeling on gas pumps selling ethanol gas would no longer be required. This is NOT TRUE according to Mr. Williams. It is a State Law developed by the Department of Agriculture which is responsible for the State fuels program in Louisiana. He gave me the link to the State labeling law. I personally don't think it is tough enough, however as I think it should state a severe penalty for failure to label directly in this section. Anyone interested in reading it, click on this link:

http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/lac/07v01/07.doc

This will download a MS Word document with all Department of Agriculture laws and regulations. Scroll down to page 348, section 337 titles "Gasoline - Alcohol Blends" to see the ethanol labeling law. Or, if you don't want to do that, here is the exact law:

This is the exact rule wording copied directly from the document:

§337. Gasoline-Alcohol Blends
A. A dispenser of motor fuel containing greater than
1 percent but no more than 10 percent ethanol by volume shall have a label on both sides of the dispenser stating "contains ethanol" or "contains up to 10 percent ethanol," or "may contain up to 10 percent ethanol," or similar wording approved by the commissioner.
1. These labels shall be located on the upper
50 percent of the dispenser’s front panel in a position clear and conspicuous from the driver’s position, in a type at least 12 millimeter (1/2 in) in height, 1.5 millimeter (1/16 in) stroke (width of type).
2. The color of the lettering shall be in definite contrast to the background color to which it is applied.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:4608, 3:4673, and 3:4680.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Agro-Consumer Services, LR 34:2550 (December 2008).

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Mr. Williams also told me that if a station is found to be selling ethanol gas and does not have the required decal on the pumps (either by his inspectors own inspections or due to a consumer complaint), his department will give the station owner a letter requiring them to post the decal immediately or face a fine of $500/pump.

Thats nice. I cant seem to figure out why my AG inspectors are telling me labeling is not required.

Just a thought, before we start hanging small business owners for rule breaking, remember what state we live in...

A state of CLOWNS.....(Why would anyone want to do business in LA? DOH!)

Thanks for following up with that.

"Made to GO" is right. I'm a fuel retailer and the only way I find out what current labeling laws are is to look them up myself. I have not received the first correspondence from the "state of loose bananas". I even asked my supplier and got no answer concerning labeling so after 2 months I checked on it myself. Labeling is the law.

Sadly, many retailers think the labeling is not required. I was at a function of gasoline retailers recently and I asked several about their fuel; they all had ethanol and said labeling was not a requirement. They,we, aren't in the loop?

I do not sell E-10 fuel and don't like anything about it. I was told just today that come March I will have no choice. "I have no choice" I don't like the sound of that.

You should be able to get conventional gas thru 2011, at least as of now...

Lou, who is your supplier? email me

Boaters and Fishermen, due to continued reports I am hearing about gas stations and distributors that either are totally unaware of the State Ethanol Labeling Law, or are intentionally violating the law, I e-mailed the Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner today asking him to take stronger measures to not only educate gas retailers and distributors, but also put stronger "enforcement teeth" into the Regulation. This is the e-mail I sent him today (this was addressed to Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain, Director of Weights & Measures Todd Thompson and Director of Fuels Program Richard Williams):

Gentlemen, I have continued to receive e-mails from consumers and gas station retailers that indicate that there is a wide lack of knowledge about the Louisiana State Ethanol Labeling Law. I sent several of these e-mails last week to Mr. Williams and Mr. Thompson. This is another example I saw today as a post on the Louisiana Sportsman:
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" Ethanol labeling
"Made to GO" is right. I'm a fuel retailer and the only way I find out what current labeling laws are is to look them up myself. I have not received the first correspondence from the "state of loose bananas". I even asked my supplier and got no answer concerning labeling so after 2 months I checked on it myself. Labeling is the law.

Sadly, many retailers think the labeling is not required. I was at a function of gasoline retailers recently and I asked several about their fuel; they all had ethanol and said labeling was not a requirement. They,we, aren't in the loop?

I do not sell E-10 fuel and don't like anything about it. I was told just today that come March I will have no choice. "I have no choice" I don't like the sound of that. "
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Commissioner Strain, Director Thompson and Fuels Manager Mr. Williams, I URGE you to take additional steps to assure that all gasoline distributors and retailers are aware of the Ethanol Gasoline Labeling Laws. Mr. Williams sent me the Labeling Law last week. I'll be quite honest with you, I really believe you should add a stiff penalty, like $500/station/pump for any station failing to apply the ethanol decals to their station pumps if they are selling ethanol gasoline. We are learning more and more that many stations selling ethanol gasoline are flagerently not labeling their gas pumps. Many fishermen are purchasing ethanol test kits and are testing gasoline for ethanol.

The following is "suggested" wording change (Item #3):
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§337. Gasoline-Alcohol Blends
A. A dispenser of motor fuel containing greater than
1 percent but no more than 10 percent ethanol by volume shall have a label on both sides of the dispenser stating "contains ethanol" or "contains up to 10 percent ethanol," or "may contain up to 10 percent ethanol," or similar wording approved by the commissioner.
1. These labels shall be located on the upper
50 percent of the dispenser’s front panel in a position clear and conspicuous from the driver’s position, in a type at least 12 millimeter (1/2 in) in height, 1.5 millimeter (1/16 in) stroke (width of type).
2. The color of the lettering shall be in definite contrast to the background color to which it is applied.
3. A fine of $500/station/pump shall be enforced on any gasoline station owner should tests reveal they are selling ethanol fuels and are not displaying the ethanol decal on the fuel dispensors as provided for in this regulation.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:4608, 3:4673, and 3:4680.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Agro-Consumer Services, LR 34:2550 (December 2008).

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The Louisiana Marine industry is suffering from the forced use of ethanol fuels. It is damaging to outboard engines. Two different outboard engine repair shops I have spoken with, who have a total 100+ years experience in this business, both tell me that ethanol gasoline is their "worse nightmare"!

I am a contributor to the Louisiana Sportsman on ethanol gasoline. I collect feedback from boaters and fishermen on location of ethanol free gas station to support the marine industry in finding 100% gasoline. You can view some of my work at the following link:

Louisiana Sportsman Ethanol Link:

http://www.louisianasportsman.com/section.php?id=6004

I am a retired Chemist and avid fisherman. I am fully aware of the EPA regulations that prompted ethanol gasoline. I have been researching the issues associated with ethanol gasoline and the marine industry for over a year now.

Commissioner Strain, I again urge you to take stronger measures to assure all gasoline retail station owners and distributors are fully aware of the State Ethanol labeling regulation AND comply with it. I also urge you to add "teeth" (in the form of a stiff penalty as I suggested) to the regulation for violators who are intentionally flaunting the law.

I spoke with Governor Jindal about this issue last summer at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in LaPlace. When I explained the situation to him, he indicated he would support the measures I described in my e-mail to my Legislators.

I'd appreciate your reply to this request. Please contact me if you should have any questions.

Sincerely,

Alton "Pete" Landry
(985) 652-5027

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