Marine Industry Urged to Vote “No” on Summer E15 Sales

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving toward permitting the sale of E15 (15 percent ethanol) fuels during the summer ozone season (June 1 to September 15). E15’s summertime ban was implemented years ago to address concerns over its contribution to ground level ozone (smog) on hot days. As a result, it has only been available in the colder months.

Recreational boating interests are being asked by National Marine Manufacturers Association and BoatUS to speak up now to stop the summertime sale of E15, halting any expansion of the fuel’s availability.

E15 has proven to damage boat engines and fuel systems. A 2018 BoatUS survey of recreational boaters found if they had their choice of fuel, more than four out of five boat owners (83%) would choose E0 (ethanol-free) fuel if it was available. Because of the harm it causes, E15 is prohibited by federal law for use in recreational boat engines and voids many marine engine warranties.

The industry has long had concerns over potential consumer misfueling with E15. Most recreational boaters refuel their vessels at roadside gas stations where pump-labeling requirements are minimal. A small E15 orange warning label is the only protection in place for marine and other off-road engines. Without additional consumer education to raise awareness that there may be more E15 fuel on market, it is believed the risk of misfueling will increase and, with it, instances of expensive repairs to boat engines and fuel systems.

“E15 is the wrong fuel for the boaters, consumers and the environment,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “As recently as 2011, EPA determined it did not have authority to waive Reid Vapor Pressure rules for E15 fuel. We believe this was the correct decision and that any changes should be made by Congress, not the EPA.”

The push for the summertime sale of E15 and adding more ethanol into the nation’s fuel supply is a result of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). When it was passed in 2005, RFS assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to grow. Since then, however, gasoline usage has not increased as forecast, which now forces more ethanol into each gallon of gas.

To keep up with the RFS mandate and avoid hitting a “blend wall” in which the volume of ethanol production exceeds consumption and infrastructure constraints, in 2010 EPA granted a waiver to allow E15 into the marketplace but limited its sales to colder months to protect air quality.

To contact EPA, BoatUS has set up this link http://bit.ly/2UyyMFV.