Ethanol Laws
State-by-State
Guide: KS
CORN FUELS...
Kansas does not require gas pump labeling when ethanol is added to gasoline (E10 sticker)
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Unfamiliarity with state, federal and county fuel laws,
has lead too many people to be unaware that the gas they are now purchasing often contains ethanol alcohol.
We strongly advise all people concerned about using gas containing alcohol, to visualize fuel (contaminated fuel usually appears, cloudy, dark, or has visible sediment) and check fuel at pump for exact alcohol content and water content. (portable Alcohol Fuel Test Kit).
Fresh high quality E10 gasoline should appear clear, straw-colored and without visible signs of seperation.
If you suspect there is a quality problem with fuel you have purchased, report it immediately to:
Kansas Department of Agriculture - Division of Weights and Measures
Forbes Field, Building 282 P.O. Box 19282
Topeka, KS 66619-0282
Phone: (785) 862-2415 Fax: 785-862-2460
Contact Person: Lewis Hutfles, Technical Specialist Petroleum Program
Email: lhutfles@kda.state.ks.us
KS DOA Online Complaint form located at: http://www.ksda.gov/open_records/id/13
or
File Complaint online: http://www.ksda.gov/weights_measures/complaints/
Always immediately contact the gas station owner/operator. Save your gas and engine repair receipts.
We also suggest you save a sample of contaminated fuel (about 1 pint) in an appropriate sealed glass container for further testing, if necessary.
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A recent article in the Kansas City Star by Steve Everly (10/25/2008) reports:
"Splash blending can put too much ethanol in your fuel tank"..."critics say splash blending is prone to inaccuracy - and vulnerable to manipulation when ethanol becomes cheaper than conventional gasoline, as it has been this year. That makes it enticing to pack more ethanol into a gallon of gasoline and pocket some extra profits...".
View complete article here: http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/858660.html
Kansas Current News - Renewable Fuels & E10
In July 2005, the law that required gas pumps labeling for ethanol was reversed.
A 7/27/05 article in Convenience Store News stated,
"KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Proponents of ethanol are crowing that since Kansas passed a law ending a requirement that ethanol gasoline pumps be marked, retail orders have soared...".
And,
"Most Kansans may not even know they're using more ethanol. Under the law, retailers no longer have to alert consumers that some pumps contain a 10 percent blend of ethanol. It's up to retailers whether to use the labels...".
And,
"Basically it (labeling) was an outdated law," Sue Schulte, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Corn Growers Association, told the newspaper...".
View complete article at http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/food-stores/4486452-1.html
Fuel-Testers Comment: Very sad, that some in Kansas believe withholding information from consumers, to increase sales of E10 is something to "crow" about. As long as there are gas-powered equipment and engines on the road, waterways and , not designed to be compatible with ethanol blends of fuel, Fuel-Testers strongly believes consumers need access to non-ethanol fuel. E10 sticker labeling should be mandatory Kansas residents can make an educated and informed decision - to be able to chose the appropriate fuel based on engine manufacturer recommendations.
More Information - Resources Kansas and U.S. Ethanol Fuel Laws
The U.S. Department of Energy website includes extensive information on renewable and alternative fuels -
Kansas E85 Current Laws and Incentives - View at Alternative Fuel Data Center (AFDC):
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ind_state_laws.php/KS/ETH
Always check your engine owner's manual or ask the manufacturer and/or certified mechanic if your gas-powered engine (car, boat, motorcycle, lawn equipment, etc.) was designed for use of E10 alcohol blends of fuel. Ethanol-blends are sometimes referred to as "gasahol", which is not the same as methanol. (Methanol is more corrosive).
Ethanol is a strong solvent/cleaner and is both miscible and hygroscopic (attracts and absorbs water into fuel). E10 has a much shorter shelf life than non-alcohol gas due to it's amazing ability to attract and absorb large quantities of moisture from humidity and other external factors.
Newer vehicles are better designed to handle the corrosive and solvent/cleansing properties of ethanol.
Boat engines have the highest risk for gas water-contamination. Prolonged storage (over 2-3 months) is not recommended when tank contains ethanol-blended gas. Replacing gas every 2-3 weeks with fresh name brand gas from a high-turnover gas station will minimize risk for gas water absorption. Once gas phase separates the octane reading will drop 2-3 points which can contribute to further engine damage and driveability issues.
Now that E10 distribution has become widespread, reports of engine damage due to over legal 10% ethanol limit and/or phase-separated (water-contaminated) fuels has dramatically increased.
There has also been an increased incidence of fuel contaminated with rust, sediment, dirt and other debris when the gas pumps and storage tanks have not been properly prepared for the switchover to E10. Ethanol has the ability to release years of accumulated deposits from both the tank walls and fuel system.
Keep in mind that engine manufacturer warranties will not cover fuel system engine damage determined to be caused by contaminated fuel use.
Examples of engine damage often caused by improper or contaminated gas includes corrosion or damage to metal, rubber, and plastic parts, drying, softening, stretching and/or cracking of rubber hoses, seals and other rubber components, damage or premature disintegration of fuel pump, dirty and clogged fuel filters...view more.
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Everything you need to know to safely manage ethanol & E10 gasoline...
