Court denies challenge to E15

Jonathan Sweet
January 17, 2013
Filed under News

The U.S Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has denied a rehearing on the decision that allows the EPA to put E15 on the market.

The marine industry has been particularly vocal about the issue, with groups including NMMA and MRAA joining efforts to keep E15 – a fuel blend containing 15 percent ethanol – off the market because of fears it will damage marine engines if boat owners unwittingly use it to fuel their vessels.

“We are disappointed in the D.C. Circuit decision,” Cindy Squires, NMMA’s chief counsel for public affairs and director of regulatory affairs said in an email to Boating Industry. “We remind consumers that E15 is not approved for marine engines and not to fuel your boat with 15 percent ethanol gasoline. As we consider our next steps we will continue to educate consumers about the dangers of E15 and encourage anyone interested in learning more to visit www.smarterfuelfuture.org.”

NMMA has distributed warning labels to its member boat manufacturers, warning of the danger of engine damage from E15.

AAA has also urged the EPA to reevaluate its approval of E15, citing a lack of knowledge about the fuel among consumers, with 95 percent of drivers unfamiliar with it.