Marine groups write to EPA about E15

This week, in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's pending decision on the Growth Energy waiver petition on E15, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, BoatU.S. and a number of other organizations sent a letter to administration officials urging them to base their decision on sound, scientific data.

"We are writing to express our concern that EPA may allow E15 based on limited or inadequate data, as implied in its Nov. 30 letter to Growth Energy," the groups wrote to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson; Department of Energy secretary Steven Chu; and director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner.

"We urge EPA to base its decision on a complete and sound scientific record, and we urge DOE to help provide this science by spending all of the $15 million targeted for expanding and accelerating mid-level ethanol blends research in the 2010 appropriations bill ...," the letter states.

The full letter can be viewed here.

The federal agency had been set to release a decision in December on a waiver request by Growth Energy, a pro-ethanol lobby group, for higher ethanol blends, but said it needed more time to review test data.

A decision by the EPA is expected in midyear.

Also this week, the James A. Baker Institute for Public Policy, a think tank based at Rice University, released a study concluding that Congress should revise ethanol targets to more achievable levels. Here's the summary report on that study.

Comments
9 January, 11 2010, 10:21 AM
By Capt jim pynn J&S MARINE EAST/WEST

I stopped selling gas on 10/16/09 because of 10% ethanol  and got cussed out from  several thousand boaters in upstate new york area  I  am  hopin to find a good additive that we can use to get rid of the  alcohol we pump about 50,000 gal a season to boaters

8 January, 09 2010, 11:29 AM
By Kevin Kelley
Besides the problems with the alcohol content on the system components the lower BTU content of  E15 will result in substantially higher fuel consumption.
7 January, 09 2010, 08:52 AM
By dave

"cheapest fuel"..


is seldom the best fuel...


you need to look at the available energy and reliability...in an airplane or a boat, you really can't just "Stop", open the door, get out, and wait patiently while some one calls the auto club for you.


I would, like most boaters, to be able to buy quality fuel that does not render my engine useless - unpredictably, which ethanol has proved to do again and again...and YOU the owner has to pay to have it repaired.


Again, get it this time...cheap or ethanol is not the answer for ANY fuel

6 January, 08 2010, 07:09 PM
By Ken Lucas

"I want the cheapest fuel I can find."


Do you realize you could be paying huge repair bills down the line from the problems ethanol will cause.

5 January, 08 2010, 04:22 PM
By George
Get used to it.  This administration and congress are not even remotely interested in helping industry, let alone the minor league small lobby boating industry.  As for Carol Browner, she is nothing but a radical environment hack left over from the Clinton days.  Hunker down, it's going to get much worse from all economic and environmental angles.
4 January, 08 2010, 04:04 PM
By David Smyth

I want the cheapest fuel I can find.


That means the same fuel put in cars. That means fuel that may well have a lot of ethanol now, and more and more as time goes by. Probably 100% ethanol in most parts of the country before long.


Aviation fuel is 50% more expensive than auto fuel.  John, how much less are you going to use your boat if fuel prices were another 50% higher?


PLEASE stop this insane protest against ethanol. If Boat US is successful in this insanity and forces fuel docks to sell special non-automotive fuel, then boat gas prices will increase DRAMATICALLY, and boat usage will DECREASE. A lot!!


A great way to KILL an already weak industry!


A fuel filter is CHEAP. Installing a water separating fuel filter is a small fraction of the cost of a tank of fuel.


Everyone running diesel has always had to deal with these issues, and thank god no idiots are running around trying to ban diesel for boats!

3 January, 08 2010, 02:36 PM
By John Cruger-Hansen
Recreational aircraft use high octane gasoline with no Ethanol. Why can't marine fuel docks sell gasoline without Ethanol? Afterall, it is for off-road use, just like aircraft fuel.
2 January, 08 2010, 01:20 PM
By Capt Brett

This is just another losing battle just like C.A.R.B.  I can't wait to see the affects of the catalytic converters on boating safety.  I'm not comforable with a 1900 degree exhaust pipe in my engine compartment. 


When are they going to realize that these are not cars?  Also, the carbon footprint of recreational boating is a tiny fraction of the output of other recreational vehicles. 


Happy New Year everyone!!!!

1 January, 08 2010, 01:05 PM
By dave boso
  Ask the EPA, Ask the EPA, what's that? these freaks work for us we demand from them not ask. OH maybe if we are ask real nice they will listen. These guys don't listen to anything but numbers and force, and if we coward around they won't respond..........

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