EPA Wants More Testing for E-15

With a federal law on the books mandating the use of more ethanol, the EPA is beginning to find itself between a corn cob and a hard place. Opponents of E-15, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), won a small battle two weeks ago when the EPA announced that it would further delay Growth Energy’s request for a waver that would open the E-15 floodgates, saying more testing is needed. It looks like E-15 is coming for automobiles, but it is a little more uncertain for marine engines.

The corn lobby got some push-back earlier this month from the EPA.

Press Release from the NMMA, Dec. 1, 2009—

Today, in a clear acknowledgement of widespread concerns about E15 on the environment, engines and consumers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will delay a final decision on Growth Energy’s waiver petition to allow ethanol blends up to E15 until more testing data is available.

NMMA has long called for more testing given the serious concerns about the potential impacts of mid-level ethanol blends on recreational marine engines and boats, including increased air emissions, performance and durability issues, as well as warranty concerns. No recreational marine engines, fuel systems or boats are currently designed, calibrated, certified or warranted to run on any fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol.

E-15 Coming for Cars

EPA’s announcement notes that studies to date indicate that higher blends such as E15 potentially may be tolerated by newer automobiles, but that further and longer-term studies are pending. EPA has not conducted any studies on marine engines and a wide array of other non-road engines, as is required by law.

EPA suggests it may approve E15 for 2001 and newer vehicles by mid-2010 unless data reveal problems. NMMA’s view is that no decision should be made on E15 until all independent scientific studies confirm that it is compatible with both on-road and non-road engines.