AUSTIN, Texas - Dresser Wayne announced this week that the Ovation Eco Fuel model dispenser has been certified by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for use with ethanol blends up to E25. However, in a telephone conversation this week UL explained to NACS that the certification applies only to those units manufactured after the date of certification. Consequently, retailers currently using these dispensers installed prior to the March 15, 2010, announcement by Dresser Wayne are not authorized to sell fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol.

Dresser Wayne says that its Ovation Eco Fuel dispenser helps retailers address the growing consumer demand for domestically produced, environmentally friendly fuels while managing their longer-term forecourt investments.

"Motorists continue to call for greener fueling solutions and retailers are demanding technologies that will help them stay in front of the market opportunity while managing regulatory changes," said Scott Negley, director of alternative energy products at Dresser Wayne, in a press release. "Our Eco Fuel dispenser is in use across North America and is designed to handle the higher blends without modifications."

However, NACS has clarified with UL that this is true only for those retailers installing this dispenser on a going forward basis, not for units installed prior to this certification announcement. In addition, NACS stresses that certification of the dispenser satisfies only a component of the retailers?? certification requirements ?" retailers must ensure that underground storage tanks, piping and connected equipment is also appropriately certified to store and dispense the fuel sold by the retailer.

The retail fueling industry anticipates that the Environmental Protection Agency may adjust the standard blend allowance for gasoline from 10 percent ethanol upward to meet the requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard. NACS expects the authorization to apply only to vehicles manufactured in model year 2001 or later. Currently, E10 is the highest blend of ethanol allowed for sale for standard, non-flex-fuel vehicles and is sold across the United States as standard gasoline.

NACS continues to press Congress to enact legislation that would expand the universe of retail fueling equipment that can lawfully sell higher blends of ethanol. Also, in anticipation of EPA??s partial approval of E15, NACS is pushing for provisions that will protect retailers from litigation in the event a consumer ignores warning labels and misfuels their vehicle or small engine equipment.