E-15 Gas and what you can do about it

[Diver Vince]

Originally Posted by Rich

This makes me think, what if you wrote a letter asking for her opinion on Ethanol in Gasoline, E-10, E15, etc?

Then another letter asking what her thoughts were on subsidies to corn farmers.

Do you think both answers would be the same?

I think you're very astute. In this country we have the best government that money can buy!

[Rich]

I just received an update from Senator Kelly Ayotte on this:

June 1, 2015

Dear Rich:

Thank you for contacting me regarding our nation's ethanol policy. I appreciate hearing from you.

On February 26, 2015, Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) introduced the Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015 (S. 577), which was referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If enacted, S. 577 would amend the Clean Air Act to terminate the corn ethanol mandate included in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

I strongly oppose our nation's erroneous ethanol policy and will work to repeal its misguided use of taxpayer dollars. Our nation's energy policy has subsidized domestic ethanol production for nearly four decades. Congress mandates ethanol's use through federally directed markets and the RFS, subsidizes its production through tax credits, grants, and loans, and protects it from competition through tariffs.

Although I am not a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, please be assured that I will continue to work toward ending our nation's flawed and costly ethanol policy.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. It is important for me to hear from you regarding the current issues affecting New Hampshire and our nation. Please do not hesitate to be in touch again if I may be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ayotte
U. S. Senator

[dave603]

Got the same letter from her.
Although she sort of makes it sound like she cannot do much since she isn't on that committee.

[ApS]

I haven't had a chance to confirm it with a shopping venture, but an ocean-boating buddy says that ethanol-free gasoline is available from brick-and-mortar boating stores. (Perhaps sold in cans, like turpentine and kerosene).

This would be essential for those with otherwise useful small outboard engines.

[Rich]

Yes, I've seen it as a pre-mix in Home Depot.

I've also used 'white gas'... AKA Coleman fuel, added my own oil (as you would to gasoline) and used it for years in 23CC and 62CC 2 cycle small gas engines.

It works well, runs clean and doesn't even leave deposits on the fuel lines or fuel tank.

But this doesn't help us with boats on the lake, especially boats that don't fit on a trailer. It's not cheap (per gallon).

[SAB1]

I also found non - ethanol fuel at an airfield in Hampton NH behind Seacoast Harley. You pump it yourself and I paid $4.95/gallon. A guy on a snowmobile forum also gave me this link where you can get it from other places.

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=VT

[Wolfeboro_Baja]

Looks like they're still at it!

I received this email yesterday from Boating United:

Speechless. The EPA recetly announced its plans to increase the country’s ethanol mandate to historic levels. That’s right, despite the science and facts about the harms of ethanol, the government is doubling-down on its handout to corn farmers and ethanol producers.

But the government can’t just quietly inflate the levels of ethanol in our fuel without hearing first from the public. They have to collect comments until July 27th—the easiest way to submit a comment, and tell the EPA to reverse course, is right here, right now with Boating United.

To make matters worse, in a gift to the ethanol industry, the White House is handing them a $100 million check to install blender pumps across the US. These are the pumps equipped to dispense E15 and higher blends at your local gas stations. You’ve got that right; the government is doing everything it can to force E15 into our fuel.

Unless we stop them.

If you are afraid of what ethanol can and will do to marine engines, water quality and the environment, then you need to comment. (And while you’re at it, you’ll be asked to send a quick note to your legislators to encourage them to step in and stop the EPA.)

If our industry fails to speak up now, you better believe E15 will be at your corner station before you know it. And that’s bad for boating and for business.
Tell the EPA: No More Ethanol

I hope those blender pumps will have a setting for NO BLEND (i.e., pure gas, no ethanol mixed in)!!

I sent my message, I hope all of you will too!

[AC2717]

I received the same one
I resent message as well, I doubt it will matter though


AND GAS MILEAGE IS WORSE WITH ETHANOL BLENDED GAS THAN STRAIGHT GAS, ITS BEEN PROVEN over and over again. so we are spending more for the blend, spending more for the fuel and spending more at the pump because the mileage goes down.

what a freaking joke, and it does not even control emissions any better

[Rich]

I just received another alert that the EPA is looking for comments on this.

Please see this link to comment yourself:
http://capwiz.com/boatus/issues/alert/?alertid=67065646

Here's the text on that link, but please use the link above to send your own comments:

Comment now on EPA Ethanol Mandate
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on a proposal to increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply for 2015 and 2016. If adopted, these proposed levels will require the use of a record amount of ethanol, forcing higher-level fuel blends (including E15 or 15% ethanol) into more gas stations. Remember that most marine engines are built to only work with up to 10% ethanol and it’s prohibited to use gas containing more than 10% ethanol in all marine engines.

Please take a few moments to send a message NOW using the form below to urge the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates to ensure an adequate supply of fuel that will work in your boat.

Background:

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When written, it was assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to rise and therefore mandated escalating amounts of biofuels to be blended with our fuel. Since 2005, U.S. gasoline usage has actually dropped steadily and now the law forces more ethanol into fewer gallons of gasoline.

To keep up with this mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace for some engines. E15 is prohibited, however, from being used in marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, small engines like lawnmowers, as well as any vehicle made before 2001. In multiple studies, E15 has been proven to damage boat engines.

E15 and higher ethanol blends fuel can now be found 24 states, often at the very same pumps as E10 gasoline. The only warning you may have is one sticker mixed in with all the other warning labels on the pump. This creates a huge potential for mis-fueling and puts boaters at risk of using fuel that will damage their engines. CLICK HERE for more information on E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Thanks for taking action to let EPA hear your voice and sharing how more ethanol will affect your boat engine. Help us out and please FORWARD TO A FRIEND