The NMMA Distributes E15 Warning Labels to Manufacturers for use on Boats
Beginning last week, the NMMA announced that they are distributing 100,000 E15 warning labels to member boat manufacturers to place on their boats in hopes of alerting boaters to the potential dangers of fuel with a high volume of ethanol. The labels will help educate boaters that E15 should not be used in their boat.
Contrary to numerous studies that have shown ethanol to be hazardous to marine engines, the Environmental Protection Agency recently approved a plan submitted by the ethanol industry that effectively completes the last step in the regulatory process and allows E15 to enter the marketplace. There are serious and well-documented human safety, environmental, and technological concerns associated with ethanol blends over 10 percent in recreational boat fuel tanks and engines. That means that anything above E10 can pose serious problems, including performance issues like stalling, corrosion leading to oil or fuel leaks, increased emissions and damaged valves, rubber fuel lines and gaskets.
NMMA along with the oil industry, food groups and other stakeholders have continued to oppose the introduction of E15. For more information on NMMA's lobbying efforts regarding E15, please contact NMMA legislative director, Jim Currie at jcurrie@nmma.org .
