RBOC CONTINUES CALL TO ACTION – PRESERVE BOATING & FISHING OPPORTUNITIES IN CALIFORNIA

We are continuing our call-to-action to preserve boating and fishing opportunities until Wednesday, August 12. Today, the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee postponed consideration of AB 3030 [Kalra] until its August 12 hearing. So there is still time for boaters to take action!

RBOC and our national advocacy partner BoatU.S. urge boaters to contact their California State Senators and request they vote against AB 3030 [Kalra] unless the legislation is amended to include provisions that acknowledge recreational boating and fishing as being consistent with the measure’s objective of conserving biodiversity. 

RBOC and BoatU.S. support the objective of AB 3030 to set a target for California to conserve 30 percent of land areas and waters within the state by 2030 to protect habitat and improve access to nature for all. But the content of the legislation is overly broad and does not define “protection.”

It is foreseeable that AB 3030 could be allow state and local governments to unnecessarily restrict or prohibit recreational boating. The bill lacks key definitions, contains broad and ambiguous statements, and fails to acknowledge existing protections and ongoing conservation initiatives as existing protections that would count toward its “30 percent” goal.

While AB 3030 mentions “access to nature” there is no specific mention of boating.

It is critical that California senators amend AB 3030 to include an explicit recognition that recreational boating is consistent with environmental conservation and that boating access will not be curtailed by the measure.  As currently written, this is far from clear. 

It is important that boaters take action today and urge their California State Senators to ensure that AB 3030 is amended to recognize recreational boating as consistent with the objectives of the legislation. The votes will come soon given the shortened legislative session caused by months of recess due to the pandemic.

You can easily contact your State Senator by visiting the BoatU.S. Government Affairs webpage. It provides a pre-filled form. Note that you can change the message to add your own perspectives on this legislation.

To take action: Click Here

RBOC Call to Action – Preserve Boating and Fishing Opportunities in California

RBOC and our national advocacy partner BoatU.S. urge boaters to contact their California State Senators and request they vote against AB 3030 [Kalra] unless the legislation is amended to include provisions that acknowledge recreational boating and fishing as being consistent with the measure’s objective of conserving biodiversity. 

RBOC and BoatU.S. support the objective of AB 3030 to set a target for California to conserve 30 percent of land areas and waters within the state by 2030 to protect habitat and improve access to nature for all. But the content of the legislation is overly broad and does not define “protection.”

It is foreseeable that AB 3030 could be allow state and local governments to unnecessarily restrict or prohibit recreational boating. The bill lacks key definitions, contains broad and ambiguous statements, and fails to acknowledge existing protections and ongoing conservation initiatives as existing protections that would count toward its “30 percent” goal.

While AB 3030 mentions “access to nature” there is no specific mention of boating.

It is critical that California senators amend AB 3030 to include an explicit recognition that recreational boating is consistent with environmental conservation and that boating access will not be curtailed by the measure.  As currently written, this is far from clear. 

It is important that boaters take action today and urge their California State Senators to ensure that AB 3030 is amended to recognize recreational boating as consistent with the objectives of the legislation. The votes will come soon given the shortened legislative session caused by months of recess due to the pandemic.

You can easily contact your State Senator by visiting the BoatU.S. Government Affairs webpage. It provides a pre-filled form. Note that you can change the message to add your own perspectives on this legislation.

To take action: Click Here

Speak Up on the Federal Ethanol Mandate - Comment Now

RBOC joins our national partner BoatU.S. in asking boaters to comment today:

The battle to protect your boat’s engine is not over. Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply for 2018.

Boat owners need to speak up and be heard by the EPA. 

While the proposed national ethanol levels are slightly lower than the 2017 mandate, boaters can expect to face higher ethanol-blend fuels, such as E15 (15 percent ethanol), at more gas stations next year under the current proposal. Because of its ability to damage boat engines, federal law prohibits the use of gas blends greater than E10 (10 percent ethanol) in recreational boats.

Please take a few moments to send a message NOW urging the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates to ensure an adequate supply of fuel that will work in your boat.

Click here to take action.

Background

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. To meet this government mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15 percent ethanol) into the marketplace, but only for model year 2001 or newer automobiles. Using E15 in marine engines as well as snowmobiles, motorcycles, and small engines, like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, is prohibited. In addition, it has been proven that E15 will damage boat engines, making it vital that E10 and ethanol-free gasoline is readily available.

E15 and higher ethanol-blend fuels can now be found in at least 23 states, often at the very same pumps as E10 gasoline. A single sticker on the pump mixed in with all the other labels may be the only warning of E15 gasoline. This creates a dangerous potential for misfueling and puts boaters at risk of using fuel that will damage their engines. CLICK HERE for more information on E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Thanks for taking action to let EPA hear how ethanol will affect your boat engine. BoatU.S. members have one of the largest voices on this issue in Washington so please send your comments today and share this email with your boating friends.

The comment period ends on August 31st so please send your comments today.

Sincerely,

David Kennedy

BoatU.S. Government Affairs

(703) 461-2878 x8363

govtaffairs@boatus.com

RBOC Joins BoatUS in Urging Boaters to Petition New Administration & Congress to Fix Ethanol Policy

RBOC is supporting the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) as it asks its more than half-million members – and any recreational boat owner concerned with having a safe fuel supply – to petition the Trump administration and Congress to reform the ethanol mandate, also known as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In a communication to members, BoatUS urged boaters to go to Fix the Ethanol Mandate to easily send a communication to their legislator in Congress and President Trump.

“Boaters must act now to get a fix to ethanol policy rolling in the new year,” said Government Affairs Manager David Kennedy. “Our members have an important role in this process and we’re counting on them to make their voices heard.”

In its communication to members, BoatUS notes:

Gasoline with more than 10 percent ethanol has been shown to damage boat engines. A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory conclusively demonstrated that E15 (15 percent ethanol) damages boat engines.

You could put the wrong fuel in your boat. While gas blends greater than 10 percent ethanol are prohibited for use in recreational boats under federal law, a 2016 Harris Poll found that 64 percent of consumers were not sure or did not pay attention to the type of gas they used. As the RFS forces E15 and higher blends into the market, the chance of misfueling will increase. Pumps dispensing blends greater than 10 percent ethanol are only required to display a small orange warning sticker.

Higher ethanol blends are becoming more common. E15 and higher ethanol blends can now be found in at least 23 states, often at the very same roadside gas station pumps dispensing E10 fuel. Boaters have to be extra vigilant to prevent misfueling.

You could face big repair bills: 87 percent of readers of a prominent boating industry publication reported engine damage caused by ethanol when E10 was used. Higher ethanol blends such as 15, 20 and even up to 85 percent ethanol, will cause even more damage to boat engines.

Can you count on your engine when you need it? Boat engines that are unreliable due to ethanol fuel issues are a safety concern for every boater.

Gas without any ethanol (E0) is becoming harder to find. The RFS artificially limits its supply of ethanol-free (E0), a fuel that many boat owners prefer to protect their engine and ensure trouble-free operation.

Passed in 2005, the Renewable Fuel Standard requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into the nation’s gasoline supply. To keep up with this mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15 percent ethanol) into the marketplace, but only for some automobile engines. Go to www.BoatUS.com/gov/rfs.asp for more information on the Renewable Fuel Standard.

BoatUS is a member of the Smarter Fuel Future coalition.

Boaters Urged to Take Action to Protect your Boat Engines [BoatU.S.]

BoatU.S. needs your help with a petition to the new Administration and Congress to protect your boat's engine. Please take a moment to help us send a strong message that it is time for the broken renewable fuel/ethanol policy to be fixed. 

To take action: click here

The 12-year-old Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a federal law that forces more ethanol into the nation's gasoline supply. The only way to meet this government mandate is to add more ethanol to gasoline, beyond the current widespread 10% level, or E10 blend.

The current RFS policy is trouble for boaters:

Gasoline with more than 10% ethanol has been shown to damage boat engines A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory conclusively demonstrated that E15 damages boat engines. As the RFS forces E15 and higher blends into the market, the chance of harming your boat’s engine increases.

You could put the wrong fuel in your boat While gas blends with more than 10% ethanol are prohibited for use in recreational boats under federal law, a 2016 Harris Poll found that 64% of consumers were not sure or did not pay attention to the type of gas they used. Pumps dispensing blends greater than 10% ethanol are only required to display a small orange warning sticker raising the chance of misfueling your boat.

Higher ethanol blends are becoming more common E15 and higher ethanol blends can now be found in at least 23 states, often at the very same roadside gas pumps dispensing E10 fuel. With only the one warning label, boaters have to be extra vigilant to prevent misfueling with engine damaging ethanol blends.

You could face big repair bills 87% of readers of a prominent boating industry publication reported seeing customers with engine damage caused by ethanol. While modern marine engines are designed for E10, higher ethanol blends of 15%, 20% and even up to 85% ethanol, will cause even more damage to boat engines.

Can you count on your engine when you need it? Boat engines that are unreliable due to ethanol issues are a safety concern for every boater. When the weather turns and you need to count on your engine, there should be no question whether it will get you home.

Gas without any ethanol is becoming harder to find The RFS arbitrarily limits the supply of ethanol-free gasoline (E0), a fuel that many boat owners prefer to protect their engine.

BoatU.S. is calling on the new Administration and Congress to reform this broken government mandate and make certain there is gas available that will not damage your boat. Use the link below to add your voice: 

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a law passed in 2005 that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. To keep up with this mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace, but only for some automobile engines. E15 is prohibited to use in marine engines. It is also prohibited to use E15 in snowmobiles, motorcycles, small engines like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, as well as any car or light-truck made before 2001. Click here for more information on the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Thanks for taking action to tell the new administration and Congress how more ethanol in gas will affect you.

Sincerely,

David Kennedy
BoatU.S. Government Affairs