Obama administration approved production and sale of gasoline with up to 15 percent ethanol for 2007 and newer motor vehicles

US : Ethanol15 approved


15 Oct 2010 PETROLEUM BAZAAR

The lack of general public understanding of the differences between E10 and E15 increases the risk that boaters may misfuel their engines once E15 becomes readily available.Washington, D.C. — Despite broad-based opposition that included sportsmen, environmentalists and industry, the Obama administration has approved production and sale of gasoline with up to 15 percent ethanol for 2007 and newer motor vehicles. Until the Oct. 13 announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the maximum allowed had been 10 percent.



"Thorough testing has now shown that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and lights trucks," said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. "Wherever sound science and the law support steps to allow more home-grown fuels in America's vehicles, this administration takes those steps."



But just because the fuel is "home-grown" does not mean that it's a wise move, insist critics who include the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Friends of the Earth and the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, among others. "We are extremely disappointed that EPA is allowing this fuel to enter the market without the appropriate scientific data or consumer and environmental safeguards," said NMMA President Thom Dammrich.



"This decision not only adversely impacts marine manufacturers, but creates a significant risk of misfueling for the nation's 66 million boaters who will be left holding the bag for performance issues and expensive repairs. We are astonished that EPA has decided to move forward with a fuel that will increase pollution and damage hundreds of millions of existing products."



Margaret Podlich of BoatU.S. echoed Dammrich's concerns, adding that the newest marine engines are warranted up to only 10 percent ethanol. "Many boaters already are working hard to keep ethanol out of their engines," she said. "They'll have to work even harder now." For older marine engines, as well as lawnmowers and other products that burn gasoline, the problem with ethanol is that it is a potent solvent. Along with destroying rubber and plastic parts, it dissolves gunk from tank walls, which then blocks fuel lines.



Of course, anglers and other boaters will not be required to run their engines with E15, just as they were not with E10. But adding another option at the pumps creates complications that the EPA has not addressed. "We understand that E10 is in about 75 percent of gasoline now," Podlich said. "There are some areas where boaters can find ethanol-free and others where they can't." Courtesy: BASSMASTER


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