Source: www.TurfMagazine.com
Alexandria, Va – June 18, 2012–The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute warns that the EPA’s ruling providing approval of the sale of 15 percent ethanol (E15) into the U.S. consumer marketplace for automobiles made since 2001 is dangerous.
The government’s test results that show E15 is harmful to outdoor power equipment, boats and marine engines, as well as other non-road engine products. The fuel used for automobiles and other engine products would have to be divided, substantially increasing the risk for misfueling, significant engine damage and consumer hazard.
For the first time in American history, fuel used for some automobiles may no longer safe for any non-road products. It may, in fact, destroy or damage generators, chain saws, utility vehicles, lawn mowers, boats and marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs and more,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI.
In September 2011, members of the Engine Products Group (OPEI, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Global Automakers) filed a formal legal challenge to EPA’s E15 partial waiver decision. The EPG asked the DC Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the E15 waiver decision. The decision on this matter is expected to be issued at any time by the court.
Many times OPEI has pointed out that the EPA’s prior experience with the introduction of new fuels shows that labeling alone is insufficient to prevent misfueling. As the EPA led the transition to unleaded fuels, the Agency reported a misfueling rate of nearly 15 percent almost 10 years after the introduction of unleaded gasoline, even with a physical barrier at the pumps.