[OSMB-News] News Release -Marine Board Encourages Boaters to Comment on Proposed Increase to E-15 Gasoline by the EPA

[Ashley Massey]

For Immediate Release	Date: Friday, June 05, 2009

Marine Board Encourages Boaters to Comment on Proposed Increase to E-15
Gasoline by the EPA

It’s become a well-known fact that gasoline blended with ethanol is
not good for boats, airplanes, power tools and ATV’s, but the
Environmental Protection Agency wants to increase the allowable ethanol
content of gasoline to 15 percent (“E-15”) nationwide.  The Marine
Board is encouraging the boating community to submit public comment to
the EPA on how this would negatively impact their boat’s performance,
maintenance and operation.

The public comment period was to end on May 21, 2009 but was extended
an additional 60 days -until July 20, 2009, to allow the public
additional time to respond to the legal and technical issues raised in
the EPA application.  “This is an opportunity for Oregon’s boaters
to voice their concerns about ethanol in gasoline,” says Paul
Donheffner, Director for the Marine Board.  “Many boat engines were
not designed for use with gasoline with more than 10 percent ethanol,
and using any greater concentration above that level may void engine
warranties, damage motors and fuel systems and potentially lead to
significant safety issues.”

The BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs, Margaret Podlich says,
“We support renewable energy, however; our recent experience with a
nationwide roll-out of E10 lead us to believe there has to be a lot more
science and unbiased testing before we can universally accept E15.” 
Podlich is referring to the widely-known problems with ethanol’s
ability to attract water into gasoline, degrade fiberglass gas tank
walls to the point of failure, and its solvent capabilities which has
led to catastrophic boat engine failures and major repair or replacement
costs.

BoatUS, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Marine
Board, other states, and environmental groups such as the Sierra Club
have submitted written comment on the proposed E-15 increase.

To read the official notice and to learn how to submit comments, visit
http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/news/E10.shtml, or go directly to
http://www.regulations.gov and submit your comments using Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0211.

###


Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us

Everything of value takes effort.