The problems with E10, that is gasoline with 10% ethanol, have been more than abundant over the last year or so in marine applications. Well now the Ethanol Industry is pushing for E15. This week’s article come to us courtesy of Boat U.S. and details the E15 concerns and provides us with the opportunity to speak up! Please take a few minutes to read the article and then go on line and voice your concerns.
NEWS From BoatU.S.
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatU.S. News Room at http://www.BoatUS.com/news/releases.asp
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contacts:
Scott Croft, BoatU.S. 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
Christine Pomorski, NMMA, 312-737-9774, CPomorski@NMMA.org
Boaters Urged to Speak Up on Ethanol Increase Before July 20 Deadline
EPA Comment Period on Proposal for E15 Gasoline Closes in Two Weeks
ALEXANDRIA, Va. July 7, 2009 - The idea of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowing the introduction of a fuel that has never been independently tested for use with marine engines has Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S. and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (www.BoatUS.com/news/reports urging every boater in America to speak out on the issue before the July 20 federal comment period closes.
In March, Growth Energy, a pro-ethanol lobbying organization, and 54 ethanol producers petitioned the EPA to allow an increase in the amount of ethanol in gasoline from 10 percent (E10) to 15 percent (E15). After an initial comment period that drew nearly 30,000 comments from concerned boaters, the marine industry, marina operators and many other boating groups, the agency extended the comment deadline to July 20.
BoatU.S. and the NMMA are concerned because boat engines are not designed, calibrated or certified for use with gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol. Recreational boat warranty documents and manufacturers owner’s manuals currently advise boaters not to use gasoline containing more than