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EPA Delays Decision
on More Ethanol in Gas: Is This Just About Cars?
Boating Group Says EPA Should Include Testing on All Gas-powered
Engines
ALEXANDRIA, Va., December 4, 2009 - More ethanol in the
nation's gasoline supply? Not just yet, said the Environmental
Protection Agency on Monday when it announced it will delay making a
decision on a waiver requested by the pro-ethanol lobbying group
Growth Energy to increase the amount of ethanol in gas beyond the
current 10% level. However, the country's largest recreational
boating organization says it remains concerned that the EPA said
that it will review initial findings on testing of mid-level ethanol
blends in newer automobiles before revisiting the waiver possibility
in mid-2010.
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says that the
harm already inflicted on boat owners when ethanol in gasoline was
increased to 10% (E10) several years ago should be a concern for
regulators as they debate the effect of higher ethanol blends in all
gas-powered vehicles and equipment - not just automobiles.
"Waiting for the data is a step in the right direction," said
BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich.
"However, focusing on automobiles leaves out millions of other
gas-powered engines. If you own a lawn mower, chain saw, all-terrain
vehicle, generator, or boat, I would be very concerned over the
costs to repair or replace those items after using higher levels of
ethanol gas. Additionally, the possibility of selling gas with
different amounts of ethanol content at the pump raises significant
infrastructure and consumer education concerns," she added.
Ethanol came into widespread use as a "oxygenate" or
combustion enhancer after a previous additive, MTBE, was identified
as a carcinogen. However, many boaters were caught off guard as the
level of ethanol, also an effective solvent, was increased in the
nationwide fuel supply to 10%, or E10, with little notice. This
introduction of E10 damaged boat fuel system components such as gas
tanks, fuel lines and seals, and caused some catastrophic engine
failures while boaters were forced to pick up the tab for expensive
repairs.
When ethanol fuel is stored for several months, it can attract
moisture and "phase separate" into different solutions of low octane
gas and water that will not burn properly, if at all. "Storage is
not an issue with cars as most Americans regularly fill their tanks.
However, would your emergency generator start when you need it?"
asks Podlich.
The US Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety has also raised
concerns about higher levels of ethanol and the lack of independent
testing. The accelerated deterioration and failure of fuel system
components, ethanol's affect on clean air devices, and level of risk
for fire and explosion in the recreational boat fleet are cited.
"We strongly encourage the EPA to use the next six
months to consider the effects of higher ethanol blends on all gas
powered engines, and not on just new products. Americans deserve to
know if all of their gas-powered engines will run reliably and
safely on this proposed new fuel," said Podlich.
An Ethanol Lobby Solution?
One solution proposed by Growth Energy - that seems to
acknowledge that not all gas engines may be suitable for higher
blends of ethanol gas - is to make available two different blends of
ethanol fuel at the fuel pump. BoatUS believes that offering two
blends of ethanol gas is neither practical nor realistic.
"Having an additional type of higher ethanol fuel available
would require new gas pumps and possibly storage tanks, and would
cause significant customer confusion and misfueling. There is no
federal requirement to label gas pumps - consumers in some states
don't know what they are buying now, so how are they expected to
make the right choice if there are even more options available in
the future?" questions Podlich.
BoatUS supports a common-sense approach to the use of
alternative fuels as a way for the nation to diversify its sources
of energy. The Association is part of a coalition of 46 motor
sports, environmental, food and citizen advocate groups under the
banner followthescience.org. BoatUS is also member of AllSAFE, the
Alliance for a Safe Alternative Fuels Environment.
The association urges anyone concerned about a higher
percentage of ethanol in gasoline and the lack of testing to contact
their members of Congress. |
