ACTION ALERT – New Comments! Tell EPA How Much Ethanol Should Be In Your Fuel
The deadline for comments has passed, but you may still register your thoughts and read your fellow boaters’ comments on this page.
August 9, 2018
Dear BoatUS Member:
The battle to protect your boat’s engine is not over. Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply for 2019. We urge you to Take Action now and tell the EPA to lower the amounts required to avoid harm to your boat’s engine.
Under the current proposal, boaters can expect to face higher-level ethanol fuel blends, such as E15 (15% ethanol), at more gas stations next year. The use of gas blends greater than E10 (10% ethanol) can cause significant damage to boat engines, and as a result can void boat engine warranties.
About the RFS:
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. To meet this government mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace, but only for automobiles made in 2001 or after. The use of E15 in marine engines as well as snowmobiles, motorcycles, and small engines such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, and leaf blowers is prohibited. It has been proven that E15 will damage boat engines, making it vital that E10 and ethanol free gasoline is readily available.
The EPA recently published a report noting the significant potential for negative environmental impacts as a result of increased ethanol blends.
E15 and higher ethanol blended fuels can now be found in at least 29 states and sold at over 1,400 stations, often at the very same pumps as E10 gasoline. A single sticker on the pump mixed in with all the other labels is the only warning for E15 gasoline. This creates a dangerous potential for misfueling and puts boaters at risk of using fuel that will damage their engines and void their warranties.
Please take a few moments to urge the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates and ensure an adequate supply of fuel suitable for your boat is readily available. Take Action Now!
If you have any additional questions, contact BoatUS Government Affairs at GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
Thank you for being a BoatUS Member!
David Kennedy
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
703-461-2878 x8363
Advocacy.BoatUS.com
Speak Up Now to Reduce the Chance of Putting Harmful E15 Fuel in Your Boat
Boaters need a safe supply of approved E10 and ethanol-free gasoline
WHAT: The battle to protect your boat’s engine is not over. Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comments on the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply for 2019 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is asking all boat owners to Take Action Now to have their voices heard.
WHY: E15 (15% ethanol) and higher-level ethanol fuel blends can now be found in at least 29 states and sold at over 1,400 stations, often at the very same pumps as E10 (10% ethanol) gasoline. Under the current EPA proposal, boaters can expect to see a greater volume of higher-level ethanol fuel blends dispensed at more gas stations, significantly increasing the chances for misfueling. Gasoline fuel blends greater than 10% ethanol are prohibited by federal law for use in recreational boat engines, will void many boat engine warranties, and can cause significant motor or fuel system damage.
Today, there is just a single, small warning sticker required on a fuel pump (among all the other pump labels) to prevent misfueling with E15. Combined with the EPA’s 2019 RFS proposal for more ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply, BoatUS believes these actions put boaters at greater risk of using fuel that could damage their boat’s engine and void the warrantee, and burden boat owners with expensive repair bills.
HOW: BoatUS asks recreational boaters to urge the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates. Take action now by clicking on: https://bit.ly/2vNZYB9
BACKGROUND: The RFS requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When it was passed in 2005, it assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to grow. Since then, however, gasoline usage has not increased as forecast, which today forces more ethanol into each gallon of gas. To meet this government mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace, but only for some vehicle engines. For more information, go to https://Advocacy.BoatUS.com.
Comments from Cruisers (18)
I was under the impression that members of Congress were there to represent the people off the United States?
When is this going to commence?
Not only should we eliminate Ethanol in all gasoline, we should reduce the number of fuel blends that the energy companies have to create.
Get rid of all the political/EPA BS.
Eliminate ethanol completely. It’s something we don’t need. One of the other posts said feed folks with the corn. I’d add one thing to that, don’t try to feed the public on the BS that ethanol is helping the environment. Do away with it in all fuel now!!
Corn is for consumption not to be burned in combustion engines. Stop this foolish charade about protecting the environment. How about feeding the hungry in our country and around the world.
ethanol is and has been a boondoggle from the start . I have run tests in my car and found that the gas mileage goes up considerably when running non ethanol gas. You should try it yourself, you would be amazed at the difference. I agree, that the price difference between non ethanol gas and the ethanol junk makes it hard to justify, but if you are driving in certain areas of the country it makes sense.
I’ve had to have my Honda outboard as well as my chains saws and weed eaters reworked from ethanol fuel probleso many times it’s unreal. This crap is creating. Boat engine problems with all our Boat inboard engines that can’t be easily replaced. Please repeal this money grabbing waste of a fuel additive as few if any other country in the world is doing so.
You’d think there would be at least a few boaters in the EPA. If there are, they must be on the big diesel-powered yachts (without dinghies powered by gasoline outboards). Like many other problems we endure (i.e.health care, social security, etc), if members of congress were subject to the same rules and restrictions as ordinary citizens, none of these issues would exit.
The use of ethanol is dangerous to boaters, destroys marine engines, and actually consumes more energy in its production than it provides as a fuel. Thus its use is environmentally unsound. There has even been talk of adding it to diesel fuels which would render them as ecplosive as gasoline. Ethanol – a total sham in the name of environmentalism. Shame!
None
Zero is the correct amount.
Zero ethanol in marine and small engine fuel. Ethanol is costing boaters and anyone who uses seasonal small engines millions of dollars in needless repairs every year.
I agree!
Ethanol is destroying marine and small enough engines. Enough is enough.
Got one in…..
This junk in my fuel has cost me over $1,100 in carb repairs last year alone. Inefficient fuel and completely unnecessary with all the oil we have.
Using corn in this fashion has driven up the feed costs of livestock and made food prices higher than necessary.
Terrible program needs to go away!
I agree. I can’t even use my dinghy outboard. i have to row!
Editor’s note: Skipper, your email inbox is not responding. My emails to you have been returned. Larry
Hey Danny, I think that “form” was a re-post from a BoatUS submission. In any event, we appreciate your taking time to try to comment and for letting us know of the difficulty doing so.
Dumb form. Lost my whole comment when I didn’t fill it out just right.