President Bush yesterday signed into law comprehensive energy legislation passed earlier this week by Congress that will increase vehicle fuel economy standards for the first time in 32 years, mandate an increase of renewable fuel use nationwide, and includes a National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) supported provision that requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to thoroughly review new fuels prior to approving them for sale.

The energy bill expands the Renewable Fuel Standard—the amount of renewable fuel such as ethanol required to be in the national gasoline supply—to 9 billion gallons in 2008 and increases it to 36 billion gallons by 2022.

In light of this new requirement, NMMA sought and achieved a provision in the bill that strengthens the EPA approval process by requiring the agency to ensure that mid-level ethanol fuels will not increase emissions from recreational marine engines or damage boat fuel systems and components. 

Without this provision, a patchwork of fuel blends could have been approved without a thorough review of the safety and environmental impact by the EPA.  Mid-level ethanol blends are known to cause substantial damage to recreational marine engines, leading to engine and systems failures which include emissions control devices.

“It’s important in the race for renewable energy that we not compromise on boating safety through the introduction of new fuel formulations that marine engines are not calibrated to safely use,” said Scott Gudes, vice president for NMMA government relations. 

During the debate surrounding the energy bill NMMA urged legislators to include a transparent and thorough review process to be conducted by the EPA before allowing the sale of mid-level ethanol blends.  This review process will help ensure higher blends aren’t capable of damaging marine engines, endangering the boater, or contributing to air pollution.

“The boating industry appreciates the bipartisan support and leadership shown by members of Congress who wisely saw the importance of maintaining safety and environmental protection and included a thorough review process on the effect of higher concentrations of ethanol in gasoline in boat engines in the final energy bill,” Gudes said.

In June, Congressmen John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) and Charlie Melancon (R-La.) sponsored an amendment to the original bill to include a review process before considering raising the ethanol content above ten percent that was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  Earlier this month Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) sent a letter to President Bush urging his administration to carefully evaluate the effects of ethanol blends on equipment not designed to operate on fuels greater than E10.

Boat engines are not designed or calibrated to run above E10, and higher concentrations of ethanol can cause damage to marine engines and fuel systems, and potentially cause emission control devices required by federal law to fail.

The energy bill signed into law also increases the national Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, resulting in a 40 percent increase in fuel economy by 2020 and a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions by increasing the national average fleet fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon (MPG) starting in 2011.

“NMMA is pleased that Congress passed a standard, nationwide increase in fuel economy standards that preserves consumer choice while ensuring the safety, affordability, and towing needs of the nation’s boaters who use light trucks and sport utility vehicles to tow an estimated 6 million recreational boats nationwide,” said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. 

NMMA joined with other industry groups, including the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, in supporting the new fuel economy standards, and worked with Congress to ensure that needs of the nation’s boaters were fully considered.