Teamwork makes the dream work as AMA joined forces with the American Petroleum Institute, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Coalition of Fuel Marketers and Citizens Concerned about E15 in a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency. This dream team contended that fuel blends containing more than the standard 10% ethanol sold during summer months violated the Clean Air Act and damaged motorcycle engines and exhaust systems. Additionally, the AMA argues that a lack of clear and strong warnings concerning the risk of E15, or any ethanol blends, at the pump lead to a greater potential of misfuelling.
The U.S. Court of Federal Appeals for the District of Columbia agreed and struck down a 2019 rule that allowed for the sale of a 15% ethanol gasoline blend during the summer months by concluding that the Trump-era waiver fell out of the administration’s legal jurisdiction. The court ruled that provisions of the Clean Air Act prohibit the sale of certain fuels with a higher volatility from June 1 through Sept. 15 to limit smog.
“We’re happy to see the court rule against year-round sales of E15, which would have drastically increased the danger posed by this fuel to motorcyclists,” notes AMA’s Director of Government Relations Michael Sayre. “Even with this victory, there is a long way to go to mitigate the dangers of E15 for our motorcycles, and the AMA will continue to support efforts to improve labeling of E15 and limit this unsafe fuel in the marketplace.”
Sayre added that while newer motorcycle engines are certified to handle a maximum-rated 10% blend, ethanol impacts all motorcyclists — as well as any American who owns a boat, chainsaw, lawnmower and other gas-powered consumer products, none of which have been certified for E15.
The AMA opposes further expansion of E15 fuel in the marketplace, as none of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in use in the United States are approved by the EPA to operate on ethanol blends higher than 10%. Using higher-ethanol blends in those vehicles is illegal and may cause engine and fuel system damage and void the manufacturer’s warranty.
“This decision is a win, but it also raises the stakes in the long-running battle between the renewable and petrochemical industries,” Sayre said. “We expect pro-ethanol members of Congress to introduce legislation to allow for the year-round sale of E15 and even now the EPA is considering regulatory changes to further weaken or eliminate the existing E15 warning label. The AMA will continue to be vigilant and advocate for safe fuels for our motorcycles.”
To learn about more legislative issues, click on the AMA Action Center:
https://americanmotorcyclist.com/action-center/