Boaters need a safe supply of approved E10 and ethanol-free gasoline
WHAT: The battle to protect your boat's engine is not over. Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comments on the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation's fuel supply for 2019 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is asking all boat owners to Take Action Now to have their voices heard.
WHY: E15 (15% ethanol) and higher-level ethanol fuel blends can now be found in at least 29 states and sold at over 1,400 stations, often at the very same pumps as E10 (10% ethanol) gasoline. Under the current EPA proposal, boaters can expect to see a greater volume of higher-level ethanol fuel blends dispensed at more gas stations, significantly increasing the chances for misfueling. Gasoline fuel blends greater than 10% ethanol are prohibited by federal law for use in recreational boat engines, will void many boat engine warranties, and can cause significant motor or fuel system damage.
Today, there is just a single, small warning sticker required on a fuel pump (among all the other pump labels) to prevent misfueling with E15. Combined with the EPA’s 2019 RFS proposal for more ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply, BoatUS believes these actions put boaters at greater risk of using fuel that could damage their boat’s engine and void the warrantee, and burden boat owners with expensive repair bills.
HOW: BoatUS asks recreational boaters to urge the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates. Take action now by clicking on: https://bit.ly/2vNZYB9
BACKGROUND: The RFS requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When it was passed in 2005, it assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to grow. Since then, however, gasoline usage has not increased as forecast, which today forces more ethanol into each gallon of gas. To meet this government mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace, but only for some vehicle engines. For more information, go to https://Advocacy.BoatUS.com.
Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):
Celebrating more than 50 years, BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with more than a half-million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We are The Boat Owners Auto Club and help ensure a roadside trailer breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins. When boats break down on the water, TowBoatUS brings them safely back to the launch ramp or dock, 24/7. The BoatUS Marine Insurance Program gives boat owners affordable, specialized coverage and superior service they need. We help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com. BoatUS is a member of the Smarter Fuel Future