Campaign Against E15 in Full Swing
Recreational Boaters Say Higher Ethanol Content Handicaps Boat Engines
Several of the nation’s recreational boating associations are pushing hard in a campaign to stop plans to increase the availability of fuel containing 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline (E15), and warn recreational boaters about the possible dangers of using the fuel.
The campaign is in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) January 21, 2011, decision to grant a waiver to allow fuel and fuel additive manufacturers to introduce into commerce E15 for engines built in 2001 or later.
E15 is harmful to marine and car engines built before 2001. Fuel generated from corn that contains a level of ethanol higher than E10 is considered unsafe for marine engines. There is concern that the demand for renewable energy would result in a push for more corn in fuels and lead to decreased availability of low-ethanol fuels at gas stations, said Ned Dikmen, chairman of the Great Lakes Boating Federation in Chicago.
“The recreational boating industry contributes $30 billion annually to the American economy. Ethanol is believed to be only half that, at $15 billion,” Dikmen said. “The government is missing the boat,”
Potential issues the fuel could cause for marine engines include performance problems, such as drivability; increased water absorption and separation of gasoline and water in the gas tank; fuel tank corrosion; increased emissions; and damage to values, push rods, rubber fuel lines and gaskets, said Dikmen.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association, representing recreational boating, filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging the EPA decision. The challenge was brought as part of a newly formed coalition. Called the Engine Products Group, the coalition includes the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of Global Automobile Manufacturers.
“From misfiring to running at high temperatures, boat engines appear to suffer from severe damage from E15,” Dikmen said. “A negative ruling on this appeal could seal the fate of millions of existing boat engines that would become destined for ruin.”
