Biofuel Quality

Motor fuel quality in North Carolina is regulated at both the state and federal level. Both governments follow the guidelines of American Society for Testing and Materials. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services?, or NCD&CS, regulates North Carolina motor fuel law.

North Carolina motor fuel must meet these standards:

Ethanol

* ASTM standards with a few modifications determined by the Gasoline and Oil Inspection Board. * ASTM standard for ethanol in gasoline including maximum limits of methanol, water, acetic acid, chloride, and sulfur. * Laws for labeling ethanol at the pump are up to each state. North Carolina removed the requirement for labeling E10 about six years ago.

Biodiesel

* ASTM standard D-6751-07. The Environmental Protection Agency EPA has the authority to do regular inspections to ensure compliance.

To ensure biodiesel fuel quality, a voluntary accreditation program, BQ-9000?, was created. This program helps companies improve their fuel testing while reducing the chance of producing or distributing inferior fuel.

All Fuel

* Oxygen content must not be less than 2.7 percent by weight in areas designated by the EPA as air pollution areas. * MTBE is no longer allowed to be used as an additive in N.C. * The sale of gasoline containing more than one half of one percent (0.5%) of MTBE by volume is illegal.