It's time to act!!

Destroyer

Destroyer

God
Got this in my email today. Everyone here NEEDS to speak up to their government. The time to act is NOW!!!

August 22, 2017

Dear BoatU.S. Member:

The battle to protect your boat’s engine is not over. Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply for 2018.

Boat owners need to speak up http://cqrcengage.com/boatus/app/act-on-a-regulation?1&engagementId=389053 and be heard by the EPA.

Act Now

While the proposed national ethanol levels are slightly lower than the 2017 mandate, boaters can expect to face higher ethanol-blend fuels, such as E15 (15 percent ethanol), at more gas stations next year under the current proposal. Because of its ability to damage boat engines, federal law prohibits the use of gas blends greater than E10 (10 percent ethanol) in recreational boats.

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

Click here to take action. http://cqrcengage.com/boatus/app/act-on-a-regulation?0&engagementId=389053

Background

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. To meet this government mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15 percent ethanol) into the marketplace, but only for model year 2001 or newer automobiles. Using E15 in marine engines as well as snowmobiles, motorcycles, and small engines, like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, is prohibited. In addition, it has been proven that E15 will damage boat engines, making it vital that E10 and ethanol-free gasoline is readily available.

E15 and higher ethanol-blend fuels can now be found in at least 23 states, often at the very same pumps as E10 gasoline. A single sticker on the pump mixed in with all the other labels may be the only warning of E15 gasoline. This creates a dangerous potential for misfueling and puts boaters at risk of using fuel that will damage their engines. CLICK HERE http://www.boatus.com/gov/RFS.asp for more information on E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Thanks for being a BoatU.S. member and for taking action to let EPA hear how ethanol will affect your boat engine. BoatU.S. members have one of the largest voices on this issue in Washington so please send your comments today and share this email with your boating friends.

The comment period ends on August 31st so please send your comments today. http://cqrcengage.com/boatus/app/act-on-a-regulation?1&engagementId=389053

Sincerely,

David Kennedy
BoatU.S. Government Affairs
(703) 461-2878 x8363
govtaffairs@boatus.com

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. If you prefer not to receive Boat Owners Association of The United States Government Affairs Alert emails go to BoatUS.com/Gov/Unsub.asp or use the link at the bottom of this message.
 
Operational Safety Language

10-4 ; thanks for the reminder Destroyer.

May I also suggest that members adjust or add to the pre-made BoatUS message. Include a line or two referencing "operational safety," not just the "inconvenience" of being hard to identify the proper grade and blend at the pumps.

(e.g. My family is concerned that the lack of proper and safe fuel being available for our vessel may contribute to an untimely engine failure and place us in a potentially life-threatening situation as a result. This is an easy link in the "accident chain of events" to break.)

Thank you all - just my 2 cents. Our lawmakers' ears tend to perk up when language like " ... may contribute to loss of life..." starts floating around the table.

Fair Winds, Following Seas, Tight Lines!

- The Grochowski Family

"Phoenix"
1976 V20 Cuddy O/B
1994 Evinrude V4 (90 HP)
 
Last edited:
Phoenix_MD said:
10-4 ; thanks for the reminder Destroyer.

May I also suggest that members adjust or add to the pre-made BoatUS message. Include a line or two referencing "operational safety," not just the "inconvenience" of being hard to identify the proper grade and blend at the pumps.

(e.g. My family is concerned that the lack of proper and safe fuel being available for our vessel may contribute to an untimely engine failure and place us in a potentially life-threatening situation as a result. This is an easy link in the "accident chain of events" to break.)

Thank you all - just my 2 cents. Our lawmakers' ears tend to perk up when language like " ... may contribute to loss of life..." starts floating around the table.

Fair Winds, Following Seas, Tight Lines!

- The Grochowski Family

"Phoenix"
1976 V20 Cuddy O/B
1994 Evinrude V4 (90 HP)
Click to expand...

Phoenix, that's a GREAT suggestion. I thought that the "inconvenience" of being hard to identify the proper grade and blend at the pumps" language was a bit tame also, but never thought to add to the message. Well Done!!! :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
 
How will this affect marinas that offer ethanol free gas, which is where I buy all my gas for my boat and other 2stroke engines?

This sounds to me like it's at regular gas stations
 
takochaser said:
How will this affect marinas that offer ethanol free gas, which is where I buy all my gas for my boat and other 2stroke engines?

This sounds to me like it's at regular gas stations
Click to expand...

Actually it's nationwide at all gas stations. Marinas are a different animal. Some states have allowed gas stations and marinas to sell non-ethanol blended fuel, other states have not. New Jersey is one of the backward states that does not allow it. Basically you have to ask the seller what he is selling. The EPA mandate was flawed when the law was made in that it assumed that gas consumption would continue to increase over the years. So that mandated that the total amount of ethanol put into our gas supply had to increase also. The problem is that the Nations cars and trucks got more fuel efficient and the consumption actually went down. But the law says they have to add more and more ethanol each year and there's less and less gas to blend it with, so the amount of ethanol in the fuel keeps increasing. Clearly the law needs to be changed but we're talking about the EPA and all their bull$hit and they never admit they make a mistake so don't hold your breath. What really needs to be done is remove the ethanol completely. It's not needed, it does nothing to improve the atmosphere, it shortens engine life, it causes higher food prices because there's less land to grow food for human consumption, and the cost of converting the corn into ethanol uses more energy than it saves... plus it actually increases the cost of the gas. (When you buy straight gas without any ethanol in it and you pay more it's because you are being ripped off by the gas companies because they know you'll pay more for the "special" gas)... but it actually costs less to make than the blended variety. Gotta love those great laws that are designed to "protect" us...
 
As long as the marina that you use has a source available, I'd expect them to keep selling e-free... the problem is the environmentalists are lobbying congress to get rid of all e-free fuel and increase ethanol content in current fuel stock. As far as your marina goes - it may simply be a case of they close their pumps because of no access to low ethanol fuel, or they start just supplying what is available... no matter the ethanol content.

This situation is what we are trying to prevent. Make sure your district representative is made aware that "going greener" isn't always a blanket "better" and advise them of the dangers associated.
 
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