A recent government proposal to mandate an increased supply of higher ethanol blends, like E15, beginning in 2017 will make it difficult to purchase fuel without fear of engine damage. With nearly 5,000 new E15 pumps expected as a result of this government mandate, the risk of misfueling is very real.
RFA is encouraging boating anglers to take action by participating in a campaign being conducted through Boating United, a grassroots platform organized by National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). NMMA has been a long time supporter of the RFA and serves on the RFA Board of Directors.
The push by the EPA to increase ethanol levels in fuel in 2017 is of great concern to fishermen and boaters due to the catastrophic damage that ethanol can have on marine engines and components. Please send a copy of the letter below to your congressman asking him or her to co-sponsor H.R. 5180 asap.
In light of the Administration’s news to increase, yet again, the required supply of higher blends of ethanol fuel, like E15, I am writing you to co-sponsor and pass H.R. 5180, the bipartisan Food and Fuel Consumer Protection Act. It is clear that legislative action is the only thing to stop the EPA from forcing dangerous fuels into our country’s fuel supply, and this bill will go a long way to reverse course and protect marine engines and the 88 million boaters who enjoy our country’s waterways each year.
It has been proven that E15 and higher blends destroy marine engines, void warranties and leave boaters stranded on the water. With the EPA forcing more E15 onto the market, the government is jeopardizing the boating industry and endangering the boating public. Considering that 97 percent of boats are fueled up at gas stations, the likelihood of accidental misfueling is high. Fortunately H.R. 5180 would take significant steps to avoid a catastrophe happening from an accidental misfueling.
The bill will curtail ethanol volumes back below the so-called "blendwall," ensuring that consumers have choice at the pump to select the ethanol blend of gasoline that best fits their product – including ethanol-free gasoline (EO) that is enjoyed and sought out by millions of boaters, and beneficial to our legacy fleet of older vessels. Considering that EIA calculated that more than 5 billion gallons of E0 was sold in 2015, and due to the RFS program, EPA is only allowing for the sale of 200 million gallons in 2017, something needs to be done to fix this large discrepancy. The RFS is broken, it threatens our industry and endangers consumers. We need Congress to correct course and fix this law. Please co-sponsor H.R. 5180.
