National Boating Federation
Earl Waesche - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Legislative Director
NMMA, Engine Manufacturers File Suit on E15 Decision
The National Marine Manufacturers Assc. (NMMA) filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, challenging the October 13, 2010 decision by the EPA to partially approve E15 for a subset of on-highway motor vehicles. NMMA has joined with several other manufacturing groups in a newly formed coalition - the Engine Products Group (EPG) - in pursuing this legal challenge. NMMA expressed regret in having to pursue litigation, but stated that the EPA has not fulfilled its statutory obligations to ensure the safe introduction of E15. NMMA has urged full scientific testing on marine engines and equipment, as required by law, and the rational evaluation of policy mechanisms to protect consumers from misfueling and product failures caused by E15. In the meantime Congress is considering a bill that would shield retailers from liability suits for miss-fueled engines.
A related and significant issue is that subsidies (last year, $7.7 billion) to the ethanol producers are set to automatically expire at the end of this year. While Republican fiscal hard liners worked to not continue the subsidies, the subsidies were included as part of the bill to continue the Bush tax cuts.
NBF Letter to US Coast Guard
We have sent a letter to the Commandant of the USCG and the Chief of the Office of Boating Safety, informing them of our concerns for the safety of the boating public with the presence of ethanol in marine fuel. While out on the water at night, in a storm or in a fog, engine failure could have disastrous consequences. To date the USCG does not appear to view ethanol as a safety issue.
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