Folks,

The EPA extended the deadline to comment on the petition from Growth Energy to increase ethanol above 10%. However, that deadline is drawing near. July 20th is the last day to submit comments. Essentially, the ethanol industry is trying to do an end-around and increase production of ethanol without the normal, rigorous testing on engines, human health and the environment. They've been successful because they hide behind the "green" image that ethanol portrays. Below is Chris Horton's blog that he wrote in May explaining the situation and giving the info necessary to submit comments.

If you haven't already commented, please do so. I will be submitting comments from BASS as well.

Thanks,

Tim

Ethanol Debacle: From Bad to Worse

In a day when "Climate Change" has become a standard household phrase, the race to reduce our "carbon footprint" has earnestly begun. Couple that with our urgent drive to decrease America's dependence on foreign oil and we're left with one of the largest boondoggles in U.S. history corn ethanol.

How many of you would deposit $100 in a bank knowing that you're only going to get $71 back when you withdraw it later? Despite the fact that several studies have concluded we use more energy to make a gallon of ethanol than we actually get in the end, the ethanol industry is doing a fabulous job of marketing corn ethanol as a green energy solution. Ethanol is far from being a good source of "green" energy, but I encourage you to do the research and see for yourself.

Now the ethanol industry is lobbying the EPA to mandate an increase in ethanol additives to our gasoline. Currently gasoline can contain up to 10 percent ethanol. They want to push that to 15 percent. The proposed rule change has been published in the Federal Register, and we have until May 21 to submit comments.

Why should you be concerned with the 5 percent increase? If you own an outboard engine, especially an older model two stroke, this bad situation could be much worse for you. There has been no testing or research on the impacts of higher ethanol concentrations on marine engines. Many older outboards are already having problems with 10 percent ethanol, and the newer outboards are rated for 10 percent, but no more. One thing is for sure; we definitely need to do the research and look at the data on what this increase will do beforehand, rather than assess the carnage after the fact.

If ethanol was truly a good solution and helped the environment, that would be one thing. But I have a serious problem with a special interest group trying to sell us a lie, especially if it costs me thousands of dollars to fix or replace my outboard ... and for what?

The EPA needs to hear from us. Submit your written comments one of three ways: online (www.regulations.gov; follow the online instructions), e-mail (a-and-r-docket@epa.gov) or fax (202-566-1741).

In the subject line, be sure to put: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0211

You're absolutely right. Everyone should contact their senators and congressmen and tell them to vote no on this legislation.      Happy fishing.

 Don't know if they ever listen to anyone not lining their pocket with something . This is something that negatively affects us all. Count me in...

skillet