Ethanol Legislation Update

Ethanol Legislation Update as discussed at the National Boating Federation Fall Meeting, reported by Fred W. Poppe

On Monday, 14 Sept, legislation was introduced in the Senate, S. 1666, The Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Act of 2009, to protect marine engines from the problems caused by ethanol blends in gasoline. Under the Clean Air Act the sale of mid-level ethanol is prohibited, but the ethanol industry has petitioned the EPA for a waiver to enable them to sell E15 gasoline. S. 1666 will require the EPA’s Science Advisory Board study the compatibility of such fuels with current engines. According to Trade Only, the study would also include comprehensive analysis of available independent scientific evidence on the compatibly of mid-level ethanol fuels with the emission requirements of the Clean Air Act and the operability of engines.

In addition, the ethanol industry is attempting to amend the Interior Department’s annual appropriations bill currently moving through the Senate to either authorize mid-level ethanol legislatively or potentially deny funding to the EPA if it does not grant the waiver request for E15. NBF has joined our coalition partners in a letter to the Senate opposing any such amendment to the Interior Department’s appropriations bill. The Coalition’s letter was sent to Senator Collins and Senator Cardin. Forty-Six organizations, in addition to the NBF, signed this letter!