Federal E-15 Legislation

[mhsprecher]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

This was published in George Washington Chapter newsletter that came out today. I intend to weigh in on this and hope others do, as well.

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS TO SUSPEND SALE OF E-15 GASOLINE
Colonial "A" News, June 2013, Volume 40, Issue 6. pg. 10
The ethanol gasoline blend known as E10 has already caused concern and hesitation, especially among owners of vehicles not designed to run the fuel, and despite the mounting questions over its use, the Environmental Protection Agency last summer approved the use of E15 gasoline, increasing the amount of ethanol in pump gasoline. Two bills recently introduced in Congress, however, seek to suspend that approval.
House Bill 875 and Senate Bill 344 address concerns with the destructive byproduct of the higher ethanol additive, formic acid, which can contaminate fuel systems, melt plastic and rubber, and corrode some metals. The EPA began allowing gas dispensaries to offer E15-laced
gasoline in June of last year, and the Renewable Fuels Association has stated that the E15 blend was extensively tested by the EPA before approving its use and is safe for virtually all vehicles manufactured after 2001.
However, with the implementation of E15-based fuel, many new car manufacturers have weighed in on the subject, with producers such as Nissan, Chrysler, Toyota, BMW, and Volkswagen announcing that they will not cover fuel-related claims on their new car warranties.
Other companies like Ford, Mercedes, and Volvo will not honor any drivetrain warranties in vehicles that use E15. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has also issued statements that further testing of the E15 blend is needed and that the labeling on refueling pumps is
insufficient to warn consumers of the possible damage that could occur with the E15 blend.
Both bills have the backing of SEMA, and the wording of each bill differs slightly. HB875 asks that the use of E15 be suspended for an additional 18 months while more testing is done. The Senate bill would suspend the sale of E15 entirely. SEMA is especially concerned for classic car enthusiasts whose cars see less road miles over the course of a year and allow the fuel to sit idle inside their fuel systems for even longer periods of time. The same concerns should also apply to anyone who owns a lawn mower, chain saw, weed trimmer, motorcycle, boat, snowmobile, or ATV as all of these machines also sit idly by for extended periods of inactivity.
The lack of use and infrequent refilling of the fuel system is where most of the problems have occurred to date. HB875 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, while SB344 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
SEMA urges you to contact your Senator or House Representative to express your opinions on these bills. A list of contacts for your lawmakers is available on the SEMA Action Network page. from Ken Ehrenhofer – MARC.
My car is older than 2001. What should I do?
Don't fill your fuel tank with E15, simple as that. Even though the new fuel is coming to market, the gasoline or E10 you fill your tank with now will still be available. There is a twist, though. At gas stations that use blender pumps (a single spout that dispenses all octanes) you'll have to
purchase at least 4 gallons of E10 to insure any E15 in the hose is diluted to safe levels in your fuel tank. Fuel pumps will be required to have a 4-inch-square label warning motorists not to use the fuel for uncertified engines. With that in mind, the best advice if you have an older car is to
stick to stations that have not switched over. (Emphasis added)
[Gas stations store each of the grades they sell in separate tanks; however, they generally get it from the same supplier. If the supplier to that station has switched over to E15, it is most probable that all the grades they sell will contain 15% ethanol. STA-BIL is your best last line of
defense; avoiding these stations (if possible) is better yet. Bottom line: get, carry, and use STABIL or some other fuel stabilizer at every fill-up. -Jim Gray]