E15 Marine Emissions and Durability Testing Reveals Extensive
Damage
National Boating Federation Lookout
December 2011
Vol. XXXXI No. 3
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency &
Renewable Energy released the results of two studies on the effects
of using fuel that is 15
percent ethanol in volume (E15) in marine engines. Results showed
severe damage to major components and an increase in exhaust
emissions, reinforcing the recreational boating industry's concern
that El 5 is not a suitable fuel.
NMMA [National Marine Manufacrurers' Association] worked with its
manufacturer members in securing the resources and facilitating the
testing for these reports. NMMA supports further testing that will
provide additional understanding about the negative effects of El 5
on marine engines. NMMA has also sent the study reports to the
Environmental Protection Agency and asked the agency to reconsider
its misfueling mitigation final rule in light of the severity of the
harm shown in these studies.
NMMA President Thom Dammrich says, "Current proposals by the ethanol
industry to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline should
seriously concern
all boaters and owners of other small engine equipment. Although
NMMA strongly supports renewable fuels as a means to reduce
America's
dependence on foreign sources of oil and improve the environment, it
is clear that ethanol is not the answer to America's energy
challenge."
For more information, please read the full versions of the Emissions
and Durability test or the Fuel Endurance test from the Department
of Energy. If you
have additional questions please contact John McKnight at
202-737-9757 or jmcknight@nmma.org.