BRP engineer testifies on E15
WASHINGTON — On Thursday afternoon, Jeff Wasil, emissions certification engineer for BRP’s Evinrude Marine Engine division, testified on behalf of the National Marine Manufacturers Association at a Congressional hearing titled “Hitting the Ethanol Blend Wall: Examining the Science on E15.”
According to the NMMA, the hearing, which was held by the Energy & Environment Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, was to examine the scientific and technical issues related to EPA’s recent waiver decisions permitting mid-level ethanol blends of up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline and receive feedback on draft legislative language. The EPA was represented by Margo Oge, Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality. Other witnesses at the hearing included representatives from the American Petroleum Institute, the Environmental Working Group, the National Chicken Council, the Biofuels Center of North Carolina and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.
In his testimony, Wasil outlined the technical reasons why ethanol is incompatible with boat engines and other non-road engines as well as concerns that EPA’s gas pump label will not do enough to prevent misfueling by consumers. Wasil also endorsed draft legislation that calls for a National Academy of Sciences survey of available scientific information relating to the effects on engines of ethanol blends greater than 10 percent.
Wasil’s complete testimony is available here: Jeff Wasil testimony.
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