EPA Issues More E15 Waivers—NMMA Responds

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued waivers to 38 states to allow the sale of 15 percent ethanol gasoline blends. The waivers are in response to Hurricane Harvey which limited the availability of fuel.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association wrote to Scott Pruitt, EPA Administrator, emphasizing that an increase in E15 sales will put more boaters at risk of misfuelling at the pump causing significant damage to their boat engines as a result. NMMA urged EPA to begin an immediate and efficient educational campaign to help prevent the misuse of E15.

NMMA pointed out in the letter that, “Like many throughout our country, we have watched and read about harrowing rescues of people from flooded communities [due to Hurricane Harvey]. More often than not, these rescues are being done via boat. This is why your recent waivers allowing for the expanded sale of E15—including in Texas and Louisiana— are especially troubling. The very boats being used in rescue and recovery missions are now at risk for severe damage by users unknowingly filling them with E15, putting these boaters in harm’s way.”

The maritime community is asked to help spread the word to boaters on proper fueling and the damage that E15 can cause to boat engines.