New tests raise questions about E15

Posted on 18 May 2012

The marine industry's opposition to the distribution of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol received a boost this week.

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Engine durability tests by the Coordinating Research Council, which studies the interaction of engines and petroleum products, found leaks from uneven valve seat wear and pittage in two of eight 2001-09 vehicle engines run for 500 hours on an E15 fuel blend, the organization supported by the American Petroleum Institute and automobile manufacturers said.

The news was in an article published Wednesday at the Oil & Gas Journal website that was retweeted earlier this morning by National Marine Manufacturers Association president Thom Dammrich from GasBuddy.com.

The NMMA and other industry groups oppose E15, saying it can too easily find its way into boat and other engines for which it was not designed. Studies have shown that E15 can harm marine engines.

“There are a minimum 5 million engines on the road today with characteristics similar to the ones that failed,” API president Jack N. Gerard told reporters during a teleconference on Wednesday. “It’s not like we’re talking about prospective application. We’re applying this to the fleet that’s on the road today. We believe our estimate is conservative.”

The test results confirm that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prematurely approved E15 for use in 2001 model year or newer cars and light trucks before the Coordinating Research Council could complete its tests, added Michael J. Stanton, president of Global Automakers, and Mitch Bainwol, president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

“Policy goals are being advanced by putting consumers at risk,” Bainwol suggested. “Now we have material evidence that validates our concern.”

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Comments

Money Talks and this is an election year with both major parties looking for dollars and support from the farm states...make that read...the huge agricultural firms that have planted thousands of acres of corn in anticipation of selling it for E-15. They have a huge corps of lobbyists in Washington where money normaly prevails over common sense.

So does this mean that the (E/P/A is going to take responable for any Boat that catches fire, because the fuel lines errodes away and leaks into the bilge then the driver starts the Boat engine, and blows up.
This is Bull,
We as people of the U/S/A are not willing to accept this kind of law,
We want to enjoy our days off, not have to spend in the hospital.

Thank You Anthony

There's an old saying "Money talks ". This is an election year and both parties need campaign money and the farm state vote(Plural) Farmers have forsaken other crops driving food prices up and have been planting thousands of acres of corn the Ethanol Crop. I am not talking about mom and pop farmers but huge companies with deep pockets and teams of lobbyists in Wasington. Money Talks.

Why is anyone surprised that the gov't. didn't fully research the effects of E10 or E15 when they have been touting that the addition of Ethynol to gasoline saves fuel and reduces our dependance on foreign oil. The truth is that Ethynol produces much lower combustion BTUs thereby lowering gas milage and causing engines to burn more fuel to drive the same distance as non-Ethynol gasoline.

Everyone needs to wake up, Ethynol added to gasoline is a farm subsidy, plain & simple! It also has had the side benefit of raising food prices because of the increased costs of food grains because of the high percentage of these grains going to produce Ethynol not to mention that it requires one gal of oil to distill one gallon of Ethynol.

Just another Government smoke and mirrors ploy.

There dosen't seam to be any good things being said reguarding E15. We have all suffered by the use of E10. Since the EPA prematurely approved E15 it would also seam they were not acting within in their charter. Why have an organization that approves policy that has not been fully tested. THEY HAVE JUST BASTARDIZED THEIR CREDABILITY. repeel the E15 approvel and FIRE the EPA director !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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