The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has issued another warning that the EPA’s ruling to approve the sale of 15% ethanol (E15) into the U.S. consumer marketplace for automobiles made since 2001 is dangerous.
“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, chainsaws, utility vehicles, lawnmowers, boats and marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, and more,” said 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.
“EPA purports to educate tens of millions of Americans using hundreds of millions of engine products, asserting it will educate these users with a 3 inch by 3 inch pump label. It’s frighteningly inadequate,” Kiser added.
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. According to a statement from OPEI, as the EPA led the transition to unleaded fuels, the Agency reported a misfueling rate of nearly 15% almost 10 years after the introduction of unleaded gasoline, and even with a physical barrier at the pumps.
