The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today waived a limitation on selling gasoline that contains more than 10 percent ethanol for model-year 2001 through 2006 cars, SUVs and light pickup trucks.

The agency also announced that no waiver is being granted this year for E15 use in any motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles or non-road engines, including boat engines, because current testing data do not support such a waiver.

Although today's waiver excludes marine engines and other non-road engines, the National Marine Manufacturers Association said it continues to be concerned that EPA does not plan to take significant steps to address anticipated problems with consumer confusion and the risk of misfueling.

"EPA's decision to permit the use of E15 for even more on-road vehicles greatly increases the likelihood of misfueling for boats and other small engines," NMMA president Thom Dammrich said in a statement. "NMMA is very disappointed that EPA has decided to move forward with E15 without mechanisms in place to protect consumers from confusion at the gas pump, as well as the product failures that could be a likely result of misfueling with E15."

Today's decision comes on the heels of an Oct. 13, 2010 decision in which the EPA approved a waiver allowing the use of E15 for model-year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. EPA granted the waiver after considering the E15 petition submitted by Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers in March 2009.

"Recently completed testing and data analysis show that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks," EPA administrator Lisa Jackson said in regard to today's decision. "Wherever sound science and the law support steps to allow more homegrown fuels in America's vehicles, this administration takes those steps."

In December, the NMMA filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, challenging the EPA's earlier decision to approve E15 for model-year 2007 and newer motor vehicles. The NMMA joined the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers in a newly formed coalition called the Engine Products Group in pursuing this legal challenge.

The NMMA said today it will continue to seek relief in the courts, along with two other groups that have filed similar lawsuits.

Is the outboard motor industry doing anything to produce motors that are safe for use with higher ethanol levels?  It would be nice to not have to worry about this issue in the future.

my understanding is that the ethanol is not bad if it doesn't sit.  If it sits then that will put water in your fuel tank which is bad for the engine.  I may be wrong

my understanding is that the ethanol is not bad if it doesn't sit. If it sits then that will put water in your fuel tank which is bad for the engine. I may be wrong

I think that's part of it.  There is also the issue of older 2-Strokes where oil doesn't mix well with ethanol, though I don't think that bothers the newer direct injection models as much.

Why are they still bothering with ethanol?  Even Al Gore admitted it was a bad idea that should have never been tried.

At the risk of being too political, could it be that abandoning the "ethanol project" would cost a bunch of hacks their jobs?

Why are they still bothering with ethanol? Even Al Gore admitted it was a bad idea that should have never been tried.

At the risk of being too political, could it be that abandoning the "ethanol project" would cost a bunch of hacks their jobs?

Farmers lobby in government.

Kelley

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today waived a limitation on selling gasoline that contains more than 10 percent ethanol for model-year 2001 through 2006 cars, SUVs and light pickup trucks.

The agency also announced that no waiver is being granted this year for E15 use in any motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles or non-road engines, including boat engines, because current testing data do not support such a waiver.

Although today's waiver excludes marine engines and other non-road engines, the National Marine Manufacturers Association said it continues to be concerned that EPA does not plan to take significant steps to address anticipated problems with consumer confusion and the risk of misfueling.

"EPA's decision to permit the use of E15 for even more on-road vehicles greatly increases the likelihood of misfueling for boats and other small engines," NMMA president Thom Dammrich said in a statement. "NMMA is very disappointed that EPA has decided to move forward with E15 without mechanisms in place to protect consumers from confusion at the gas pump, as well as the product failures that could be a likely result of misfueling with E15."

Today's decision comes on the heels of an Oct. 13, 2010 decision in which the EPA approved a waiver allowing the use of E15 for model-year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. EPA granted the waiver after considering the E15 petition submitted by Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers in March 2009.

"Recently completed testing and data analysis show that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks," EPA administrator Lisa Jackson said in regard to today's decision. "Wherever sound science and the law support steps to allow more homegrown fuels in America's vehicles, this administration takes those steps."

In December, the NMMA filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, challenging the EPA's earlier decision to approve E15 for model-year 2007 and newer motor vehicles. The NMMA joined the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers in a newly formed coalition called the Engine Products Group in pursuing this legal challenge.

The NMMA said today it will continue to seek relief in the courts, along with two other groups that have filed similar lawsuits.

FYI, this is from an EPA Press Release.

Excellent answer Fishing Rhino

Why are they still bothering with ethanol? Even Al Gore admitted it was a bad idea that should have never been tried.

At the risk of being too political, could it be that abandoning the "ethanol project" would cost a bunch of hacks their jobs?

Farmers lobby in government.

Kelley

I suspect you are both correct..................Al

Why are they still bothering with ethanol? Even Al Gore admitted it was a bad idea that should have never been tried.

At the risk of being too political, could it be that abandoning the "ethanol project" would cost a bunch of hacks their jobs?

The higher the ethanol content the lower the fuel economy. Which means you have to buy more of it, which in turn means more tax revenue for the fed and state.

I think that with 15% ethanol there telling me it burns to hot., plus it eats up all the hoses.  The warrenty on motors say they are not responceable for damage to motors using  15%. I guess some one will come up with another additive  we will have to use