“With gas prices going through the roof, drivers want to know the fuel they’re putting in their cars is efficient,” Senator Pennacchio said. “There’s concern that putting ethanol in fuel might not be beneficial for cars with engines that weren’t specifically designed to handle it.”

The bill, S-2935, creates the “Ethanol Study Commission” within the Department of Environmental Protection, which will study the necessity of mixing ethanol in gasoline. It will submit a report to the Governor and the legislature detailing its findings, as well as its recommendations.

The commission will have to determine if the ethanol component of gasoline can be eliminated, reduced or replaced while still complying with federal requirements. They will also look to see if New Jersey could prohibit the use of ethanol in gasoline, either by legal action or legislative means.

“We need to take a look at it and determine if keeping this ethanol mixture is the best thing for New Jersey and its drivers,” Senator Pennacchio said. “Whether the solution is finding an alternative or removing it entirely, we’ll have to find out.”

Contact: Alex Young / (609) 847-3600