As you may know, a pro-ethanol lobbying organization called Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers recently submitted a formal petition to EPA requesting a waiver under the Clean Air Act to increase ethanol blend levels in gasoline up to 15 percent (E15) by volume. As is required by law, EPA on April 21 published a Notice for Comment in the Federal Register, beginning a 30-day public comment period that closes on May 21, 2009. There is enormous political pressure on federal agencies to allow a high blend level despite well-known problems with mid-level ethanol gasoline.

We are asking all interested parties to submit comments to EPA arguing that the waiver petition be denied. Although NMMA has been working with EPA and DOE to initiate testing on marine engines and equipment and has formally submitted a test plan for our sector, there has been no testing to date by any federal agency on the impacts of mid-level ethanol blends on marine products. As you all know, marine engines are designed and certified to run on not more than E10, the current legal allowable blend limit. Increasing the limit will likely bring marine engines out of compliance with federal clear air laws, damage marine engines due to higher temperatures, pose safety risks to boaters and sportsmen and likely mean warranties will be voided.

We ask you to support a science-first approach and urge EPA to deny the ethanol industry's E15 waiver request unless and until independent and comprehensive scientific testing is completed on a full range of marine engines and other products.

In the coming days we will be developing a template for comments to EPA, and we would encourage your organizations to send comments directly to EPA. In the meantime, we have set up a grassroots advocacy toolkit linked directly to EPA that you and your members can use to send in comments. Comments can be sent going to this link: http://capwiz.com/nmma/home/.

what does this mean???

Info sent.Thanks Tim

It means that Ethanol producers are asking for the EPA to allow an increase from 10% to 15% Ethanol in gasoline.

This is untested in the marine environment and could have negative effects on our outboards such as running hotter, noncompliant emissions, and a void in warrantee according to the NMMA.

It also means that if the EPA allows it, they are a bunch of greedy bastards because Ethanol is not a good alternate source of fuel. In fact, it produces more greenhouse gas than gasoline.

Ethanol is one of the biggest scams we've seen lately. Probably a close third to the bailout and global warming.

thanks for the info

Message sent. Thanks Tim

ttt

THAT ladies and gentlemen is the real truth. The only thing ethanol is helping is the farmers. Ethanol is not nor will it ever be the answer.

That means that if they go to E15 you will no longer have fuel for your boat motor.

Ethanol truly is a political scam because it uses more energy to produce a gallon of ethanol than the energy you get back out of it. Now isn't that politics at its best!!!!

Just submitted my comments and will be following up with my representatives.

This might be a little off topic but Docs at Tawakoni of 276(i think 27something) has gas with no ethanol, or the sign says it anyways.

would rather the corn be taken and fed in the deer feeders, this is why it cost so much per bag this last year.

Station on the way to Hubbard Creek (I think it was in Weatherford or Mineral Wells or somewhere in between can't remember now had only had one cup of coffee by that point)that advertised no ethanol in the gas. That's pretty smart marketing and there's definitely a market for ethanol free gasoline.

It is opposite day from here on out. How shall we then live?