Ethanol labeling still required on fuel pumps

January 18, 2010 at 2:20 pm  | Mobile Reader | Print 

Several fishermen have e-mailed me recently with a concern that they were told ethanol gas-pump labeling was no longer required in 2010 or beyond. I researched this concern and this is what I learned. 

I spoke with Mr. Richard Williams, director of theLouisiana Department of Agriculture's Fuels Program, the week of Jan. 4, and explained to him that there was a rumor floating around that beginning in 2010 the labeling on gas pumps selling ethanol gas would no longer be required  in Louisiana.

This is NOT TRUE according to Williams.

It is a Louisiana State law developed by the Department of Agriculture that any gas pump selling ethanol fuel must be labeled. Williams gave me the link to the state labeling law. Furthermore, I was told that the penalty for failure to comply with this labeling law is a possible fine of up to $500 per pump per day of non-compliance.

Personally, I don't think it is tough enough, however. I'd like to see a stiff penalty for failure to post the ethanol label written directly into this labeling law. Williams told me that there is a penalty involved, but that it is in another section of the law. Anyone interested in reading  the Ethanol Gas Pump labeling law, click on this link: http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/lac/07v01/07.doc (this is a rather lengthy MS Word document).
 
Scroll down to page 348, section 337, titled "Gasoline - Alcohol Blends."

However, if you don't care to wade through their rather lengthy Web site, I copied and pasted the exact law below:

§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 inch) in height, 1.5 millimeter (1/16 inch) 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).