EPA accepting comments on Ethanol standards through January 28

If you own a gasoline powered boat, or are concerned for fellow members who do, ethanol is a big issue. Maybe you simply drive a gasoling powered car. In either event, the EPA is considering whether to continue requiring refined fuels to contain the current, relatively high percentage of ethanol or whether that could be reduced for 2014.

In concentrations above 10%, gasoline blended with ethanol has proven detrimental to gasoline engines- particularly on older boats. Ethanol (grain alcohol) contains less energy than refined gasoline so there is a corresponding decrease in fuel efficiency. Ethanol advocates cite the "oxygenation" of the blended fuel that promotes cleaner combustion and reduces air pollution as a primary reason to blend ethanol into gasoline.

Farmers from the corn belt and the ethanol producing lobby are flooding the EPA with comments. The NMMA is leading a counter charge. See the artilce at this link for more  information.

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/fishing-boats/boat-engines/nmma-action-al...!