BoatUS News: Call for Action
BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boaters and the waterway environment. We are proud to have them as SPONSORS!
July 13, 2015
Dear Boater,
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on a proposal to increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply for 2015 and 2016. If adopted, these proposed levels will require the use of a record amount of ethanol, forcing higher-level fuel blends (including E15 or 15% ethanol) into more gas stations. Remember that most marine engines are built to only work with up to 10% ethanol and it is prohibited to use gas containing more than 10% ethanol in all marine engines.
Please take a moment to send a message NOW urging the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates to ensure an adequate supply of fuel that will work in your boat.
Background:
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When written, it was assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to rise and therefore mandated escalating amounts of biofuels to be blended with our fuel. Since 2005, U.S. gasoline usage has actually dropped steadily and now the law forces more ethanol into fewer gallons of gasoline.
To keep up with this mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace, for some engines. E15 is prohibited from being used in marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, small engines like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, as well as any vehicle made before 2001. In multiple studies, E15 has been proven to damage boat engines.
E15 and higher ethanol blends fuel can now be found in 24 states, often at the very same pumps as E10 gasoline. The only warning you may have is one sticker mixed in with all the other warning labels on the pump. This creates a huge potential for mis-fueling and puts boaters at risk of using fuel that will damage their engines. CLICK HERE for more information on E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Thanks for being a BoatU.S. member and for taking action to let EPA hear how you care about the ethanol level in the fuel you buy for your boat engine. Help us out and please FORWARD TO A FRIEND.
Sincerely,
Margaret B. Podlich
President, BoatU.S.
Comments from Cruisers (2)
We, not only as boaters but also as concerned citizens, need to permanently shut down this corn ethanol fuel boondoggle. Apart from its harmful effects on some engines and reduced miles-per-gallon, its environmental benefits are pure voodoo, and it serves only to enrich involved special interests at the public’s expense. BoatUS and the public need to put their support behind “The Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015,”
4 years ago it cost me over $1000 to repair the damage that ethanol 10 did to the fuel system of my 1986 32′ Carver Mariner with twin 280 hp gas engines. It ate through most of the fuel line and the fittings and stopped the engines in a very dangerous spot.
It is time we quit supporting the corn industry which does not need nor deserve our tax money.
This ethanol industry has only created shortages and cost increases in our food supply for no other reason than to keep our demented elected officials In reelection money. WHEN WILL THIS MADDNESS STOP?
Have the courage for once to say NO!
Captain Dick Burkhard,