Four members of the U.S. Congress -- Democrats Henry Waxman of California and Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Republicans Joe Barton of Texas and Fred Upton of Michigan -- agree with this view, and sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson last Thursday raising a series of important questions.

( http://energycommerce.house.gov/documents/20100729/Jackson.EPA.2010.7.29.pdf)

In their letter, the congressmen request information to "ensure that increasing the permissible level of ethanol in gasoline is accomplished in a way that does not present any potential harm to air quality, consumers' investments in cars, trucks, and other engines and equipment, or small business owners' investments in gas stations."

In the interest of consumer protection and safety, Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency shouldn't be stampeded into making a rapid and reckless decision on changing the amount of ethanol in gasoline from the current 10 percent (E10) to a higher amount, such as the 15 percent ethanol (E15) blend now under consideration.

Before Congress votes to raise the amount of ethanol in gasoline -- or before the EPA makes the decision on its own -- thorough and objective scientific testing needs to be completed and analyzed to determine if more ethanol in gasoline is safe and compatible with all gasoline-powered engines.

Ethanol burns hotter than gasoline and corrodes soft metals, plastics and rubber. More testing is needed to determine how much ethanol is too much for different types of existing engines to use safely without risking engine failure that could leave a boat stranded at sea, a snowmobile stuck in subfreezing temperatures in a wilderness blizzard or a motorcycle unable to move in the blazing heat of a desert.

Testing will need to evaluate existing data and engineering judgments suggesting that E15 may: lead to a significant increase in emissions of environmental pollutants from some engines; damage car and non-road engines; and pose a safety hazard to people operating gasoline-powered equipment.

Under current law, consumers whose vehicles and equipment were ruined by E15 -- or who suffered serious injury or worse as the result of engine malfunctions -- would have the right to file lawsuits seeking monetary damages. This leaves the manufacturers of cars, trucks, boats, gasoline-powered equipment and gasoline potentially liable for huge amounts of damages resulting from E15 use.

If the ethanol industry is so certain that E15 would not cause environmental, personal injury and engine problems, the industry should step forward to assume legal liability to pay for any such harm caused by E15. But ethanol producers are unwilling to do this. Why are they afraid to stand behind their product?

Without controlled scientific tests, a premature decision on raising the amount of ethanol in gasoline will turn every American who owns a car, boat, snowmobile or gasoline-powered equipment -- such as a lawnmower or a chain saw -- into an unwilling participant in a giant science experiment.

Because of our concern regarding unanswered questions about E15, 15 environmental and industry groups that frequently oppose each other on a broad range of policy issues have launched a joint campaign calling on Congress and the EPA to require thorough and objective scientific testing before allowing an increase in the amount of ethanol in gasoline.

Working under the banner "Say NO to Untested E15," we are funding advertising and other efforts to urge a policy of "Test first, pump later."

Groups working together on the campaign are: the Environmental Working Group; Natural Resources Defense Council; Hispanic Institute; Engine Manufacturers Association; International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association; Motorcycle Industry Council; National Marine Manufacturers Association; Outdoor Power Equipment Institute; American Frozen Food Institute; American Meat Institute; Grocery Manufacturers Association; Snack Food Association; American Petroleum Institute; NATSO (National Association of Truck Stop Operators); and the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association.

More information about our effort to have the decision on higher ethanol blends made based on science is on the Web site www.FollowTheScience.org.

An even broader collection of 36 groups sent a letter to the majority and minority leaders of the U.S. Senate July 26. This letter urges opposition to any amendment to the upcoming energy bill that would authorize the sale of gasoline with more than 10 percent ethanol.

Safety should be the guiding principle for Congress and the EPA regarding ethanol levels in gasoline. Just as our government takes the necessary time to test the food and medicines we put into our mouths to make sure they are safe, it should collect and evaluate all needed tests on the fuel we put into our vehicles and equipment.

(Charles T. Drevna is president of the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association,

a national trade association in Washington representing more than 450 members, including virtually all U.S. refiners and petrochemical manufacturers.)

(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)

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