The Obama EPA approved an increase this week for the ethanol mix in our nation's fuel - from E-10 to E-15.
This will have a devastating fall out for our outboards. Ethanol has forced all of us to either pay for expensive repairs, or spend $ to upgrade our fuel lines, filters, pumps, injectors, etc. I know that I personally have had my fuel lines (inner lining) break down twice and clogged my pumps and filters. Upgrading my lines cost over $15 a foot. Having the more resistant "black lines" will offer no guarantee to this new E-15 mix that is being forced upon us.
I have sent emails to all three of my legislators in DC (Senators Cornyn, and Cruz...and Congressman Brady), and am asking all of you to do the same. If there is enough backlash, maybe the "bubble in Washington" will hear us.
My Merc Pro XS owner's manual specifically tells me to not fuel my boat with E-15 fuel... There is also a warning label near the fuel filler that says E-15 should not be used in this watercraft.
If E-15 is all that is available what can I do? (besides writing letters/ e-mails)
Tim Cook says that it is his understanding that E-15 will become an option...and that the E-10 will remain available. He also said that he could have misinterpreted the new regs. Guess we'll have to wait and see how it ends up. Even if options at the gas station will remain available...it could be a masked "mission creep" from the Obama EPA. Below is the response that I received from Sen. Cornyn (via email). From his response, I'm not sure if he is an advocate or opponent of biofuel mixing. I am sure that I received the traditional politician's rhetorical "blow off".
Dear Mr. Gunter:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the use of ethanol and renewable fuels as part of our national energy policy. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.
As you may know, the federal government has historically subsidized the production and mixture of ethanol into gasoline. The Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit provided gasoline suppliers a tax credit of 45 cents for each gallon of ethanol blended into gasoline, and was based on a similar tax incentive first enacted in 1978. Additionally, in 1980, Congress enacted a tariff on ethanol to discourage competition from foreign biofuel imports. However, both of these laws expired on December 31, 2011, and I am pleased that Congress chose not to renew either policy.
In 2005, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate was created under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L 109-58) and further expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-140). The RFS requires that domestically sold fuel must contain a specified volume of renewable fuels.
I recognize that there is a place for renewable energy in the power and transportation fuel markets. However, I share your concerns regarding our current renewable fuels policy, and you may be certain that I will continue to monitor the effect the RFS has on consumers.
I appreciate having the opportunity to represent Texas in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
