Trade association submits comments on E15 levels

The National Marine Manufacturers Association has submitted official comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding proposed 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations.

Every year the EPA proposes new RVOs, which determine how much ethanol will be blended into the U.S. fuel supply. EPA is proposing maintaining current levels of ethanol for 2019.

“This proposed rule endangers millions of boat owners by denying them choice at the pump, and imposes an excess supply of mid and high level blends of ethanol on the market without sufficient education and guaranteed access to safe and approved fuel blends,” NMMA stated in its comments. “If E15 or higher blends become the common marketplace fuel, misfueling will occur and engines will be damaged, and the American consumer will be stuck paying the bill for an outdated government policy.”

NMMA asked the EPA to better inform the public as to the risks of E15 in marine engines, and urged them to enact the pro-boater policies contained in H.R. 5855, the Consumer Protection & Fuel Transparency Act.

NMMA also applauded EPA on recently approving bio-isobutanol, the ethanol-free E15 alternative, for on-highway use at 16.1 volume percent.

However, more needs to be done to allow boaters better access to the fuel, and NMMA urged EPA to take further action.

For more information, please contact NMMA Senior Vice President of Federal & Legal Affairs Nicole Vasilaros, at nvasilaros@nmma.org, or NMMA Director of Federal Government Affairs Mike Pasko at mpasko@nmma.org.

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