USA Ethanol argument heats up

8:41 PM Tue 7 Jul 2009 GMT

'E15 - Corn ethanol producers are lobbying' .

As the deadline in the USA for federal comment on the introduction of E15 - the putting of 15% ethanol into marine fuel - approaches, the lobbying heats up.

BoatUS, the boat-owners association of the United States, is asking all boaters to speak out before the 20th June deadline.

BoatUS's argument is that 'science, not politics,' should determine the issue, that the introduction of the fuel has never been independently tested for use with marine engines, that engine manufacturers have not designed engines for any more than E10 and that warranties could therefore be voided. The National Manufacturers Association is joining BoatUS in the push.

It seems that the two organistions are not against the introduction IN PRINCIPLE of greater amounts of ethanol in fuel, but want the manufacturing processes to match the fuel to avoid mass breakdowns in marine equipment.

In March this year, Growth Energy, a pro-ethanol lobbying organization, and 54 ethanol producers petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow an increase in the amount of ethanol in gasoline from 10 percent (E10) to 15 percent (E15).

After an initial comment period that drew nearly 30,000 comments from concerned boaters, the marine industry, marina operators and many other boating groups, the agency extended the comment deadline to July 20.

E15 - outboard motor intake valve on the left is fouled with fibreglass resin dissolved in E10 fuel. On the right is a normal equivalent using conventional fuel - .. .

BoatU.S. and the NMMA are concerned because boat engines are not designed, calibrated or certified for use with gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol. Recreational boat warranty documents and manufacturers owner's manuals currently advise boaters not to use gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol, and therefore, the use of E15 in marine engines could void engine warranties and damage motors and fuel systems.

'This is not about growing renewable energy,' says BoatU.S. Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich. 'This is really about a group of investors attempting to profit at the expense of 13 million recreational boat owners. We had significant problems with the nationwide roll-out of E10 a few years ago, and without further independent testing of E15 with marine engines we are very likely to see similar issues.'

Podlich is referring to the widely known problems with ethanol's ability to attract water into gasoline or 'phase separate' which has led to boat engine failures and major repair or replacement costs for boaters. It also degrades fiberglass boat gas tank walls.

If the ethanol lobby's petition is approved it would also affect other gasoline powered products. 'There are an estimated 500 million gasoline powered engines in the U.S., from boats and autos to chainsaws, lawn mowers and ATVs, so this issue not only severely impacts the recreational boating industry but many others as well,' said NMMA Legislative Director Mathew Dunn.

'We have a very simple position on this matter. Science -- not politics -- should ultimately determine EPA's decision on whether to allow the sale of any increased ethanol blend that's more than 10 percent. At present, it is clear there is insufficient scientific and technical data to justify granting the increase, and EPA should therefore deny it outright,' he added.

Boaters can go to www.BoatUS.com/gov or capwiz.com/nmma/home/ before the federally mandated comment period ends on July 20 to learn more and send EPA an email asking them to deny the petition for a waiver for the use of E15 fuel until more testing is done on marine engines and fuel systems.

by Blackwattle Studios