President's Corner - From BoatUS President, Margaret Podlich
In what has become another sign of spring, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is calling for comments on the so-called "renewable volume obligations (RVOs)" for 2017. Why am I sharing this with you? These make up the Federal mandate dictating how much ethanol must be mixed into the nation's gas supply required by the 2005 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) law. While America's total fuel consumption has been on a long decline, (which is a wonderful accomplishment!) the amount of ethanol that must be blended into it continues to go up. This year the EPA has proposed to mandate 18.8 billion gallons of ethanol be used, making it even more likely you will see E15 (15% ethanol, prohibited to use in marine engines!) at the fuel pump and making it harder to find E0 (ethanol free) fuel if that is your preference.
We need your help! Click here to send a message to EPA, asking them to reduce the mandate for more and more ethanol. And click here to ask your member of Congress to co-sponsor legislation to reform the RFS law that is limiting our fuel options.
To learn more about the RFS and how BoatUS is working for boaters, visit BoatUS.com/Gov.
Have fun on the water this week!
Margaret