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NEWS from BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatUS Press Room at
www.BoatUS.com/pressroomFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 703-461-2864 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, SCroft@BoatUS.com
Photo Available at:
http://www.BoatUS.com/pressroom/prev.../hiRes/565.jpgPhoto Caption: The EPA could decide to add up to 50% more ethanol to the
nation's gas supply, without testing it first to ensure it's safe for
millions of boats.
BoatUS Urges Boaters to Speak Up on Ethanol:
EPA Decision Coming Very Soon
ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 28, 2010 - In a matter of days, the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to announce its
decision on whether to approve the addition of up to 50% more ethanol in
the nation's gasoline supply, from the current 10% (E10) concentration
to a potential 15% (E15). The nation's largest boat owners group, Boat
Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), is urging recreational
boaters to speak out now and tell President Obama that scientific
testing on E15 must precede EPA's decision and not come at a later date.
BoatUS embraces the need to diversify the country's energy sources.
However, the organization is concerned that EPA may put the "cart before
the horse" by granting increased ethanol before understanding its
operational effects on marine engines. A strong solvent, ethanol has
been known to degrade fuel systems and lead to expensive repairs.
"Last year, a record number of recreational boaters asked the EPA to
test marine engines before allowing up to 15% (E15) ethanol in
gasoline," said BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret
Podlich. "While this testing has not been completed, we believe the EPA
is getting ready to announce their decision on increased ethanol in the
next couple of weeks. We expect the agency will allow E15 for some
engines and not others. In addition to the lack of scientific testing
data, we suspect this will create different fuels with different prices,
availability and add consumer confusion."
"Many boaters, having suffered through the last ethanol transition to
E10, agree that we should learn from recent history and first completely
understand what the new fuel will do before approving its use in boats,"
added Podlich. "It may turn out to be harmless, but what if it's not?
What happens if safety is affected or boaters are forced to pay for
expensive repairs? Remember that most boat engine warranties are void
when using ethanol beyond the 10% level."
BoatUS urges recreational boaters to go
http://www.BoatUS.com/gov and let
President Obama know your concerns about ethanol and ask him to require
the EPA to compete testing and get the science first.
BoatUS is part of followthescience.org, a coalition of 46 motor sports,
environmental, food and citizen advocate groups asking for "science
first" before the EPA allows a new fuel on the market. BoatUS is also a
member of AllSAFE, the Alliance for a Safe Alternative Fuels
Environment.
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About BoatUS:
BoatUS - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's
leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million
members with government representation, programs and money saving
services. For membership information visit
www.BoatUS.com or call
800-395-2628 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800-395-2628 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
