AMA Go Ride Safely! Week Stresses Rider Training and Protective Gear

PICKERINGTON, OH – April 22, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The final phase of AMA Go Ride! Month begins today and the week long theme is “Go Ride Safely!” Sponsored by the American Motorcyclist Association, AMA Go Ride Safely! week promotes rider training and the use of appropriate riding gear to help ensure that every ride is enjoyable and every rider is prepared for the unexpected.

“When it comes to riding responsibly and reducing risk, the AMA strongly encourages its members and all motorcyclists to take rider training and wear protective gear,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “In addition, we advocate nationally for driver awareness programs to alert other roadway users to our presence in traffic.”

During AMA Go Ride Safely! week, riders are encouraged to pass along their responsible-riding practices by submitting photos and comments to submissions@ama-cycle.org and responding to daily calls-to-action on the AMA Facebook page.

“I can think of no better way to kick off Motorcycle Awareness Month in May than by stressing training and proper gear during the last week of AMA Go Ride! Month,” Dingman added.

Throughout April, AMA Go Ride! Month has been celebrating the motorcycle lifestyle and providing motorcyclists nationwide with information, contests and prizes from Helmet House, Shoei, HelmetLok, Bikebandit.com and Choice Hotels. AMA members are encouraged to enter the contests to win prizes.

The AMA Up, Down, All-Around Flash Tour is a contest for street and dirt riders. Participants submit a photograph of a trip to the highest, lowest or most remote part of their state, or an historical or cultural landmark unique to the state. Each week a winner is selected to receive a Helmetlok next-generation lock and cable set.

Another weekly photo contest, Freedom Friday, alerts riders to important issues that pose threats to motorcycling freedoms. This week’s theme is “Fuel for Thought,” which calls attention to the possible harmful effects of E15 fuel on motorcycle engines. The issue can be illustrated with a photo of a motorcyclist near a gas pump or station that sells E15 or, if not available, other blends. The best photos will earn two lucky AMA members an AMA gift bag and a BikeBandit.com gift card.

A third weekly contest sponsored by Choice Hotels awards a $100 gas card and two nights’ stay at a Choice Hotel, good in 2013. Entrants just email their name, AMA number, the difference between the gas mileage of their bike and their car or SUV, put the words “Choice Hotel” in the Subject line and send to submissions@ama-cycle.org.

Qualifying AMA members in all contests will also be entered into a month-end drawing for great prizes from AMA partner Helmet House, including a Shoei helmet, Tour Master Intake jacket and Cortech tank bags. Contest details can be viewed at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/riding/goride/contestdetails.

AMA Go Ride! Month encourages motorcyclists everywhere to enjoy the thrill of riding in the dirt and on the street. Be sure to visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/riding/goride and www.facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist for breaking news and announcements about 2013 AMA Go Ride! Month.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

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Congressional bill would stop E15 fuel sales, require research

PICKERINGTON, OH – March 1, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – A bill requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop the use of E15 fuel until the gasoline-ethanol blend is studied further has been introduced in Congress, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.

U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) introduced the bill, H.R. 875, on Feb. 28. The measure would repeal the EPA’s waiver decision approving the use of E15 and would bar the agency from granting further decisions on the use of the fuel until the EPA obtains an independent scientific analysis of the effects of the E15 blend.

E15 is a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume, and the EPA hasn’t approved its use in motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles. The EPA has approved its use in 2001-and-new light-duty vehicles, which include cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles.

The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available. The AMA wants motorcycles and ATVs to be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15.

Sensenbrenner said there have been several tests highlighting E15′s harmful effects on engines “but they have all been dismissed by the EPA.

“Therefore, we must force the EPA to stop the use of E15 fuel until the serious safety, durability, performance and environmental concerns have been addressed,” he said. “Throughout the 112th Congress, I introduced several bills to address the risks associated with E15. And earlier this week, witnesses from AAA, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Coordinating Research Council all testified to the Science, Space and Technology Committee that more testing is needed.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that Americans using gas-powered machinery — whether it be cars and boats or chainsaws and lawnmowers — are not put at risk due to faulty fuel that has not been adequately vetted,” Sensenbrenner said.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

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American Motorcyclist Association tells Congress more E15 study needed

PICKERINGTON, OH – February 27, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The American Motorcyclist Association expressed concern to a U.S. House subcommittee about possible damage to motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available.

In testimony to the House Subcommittee on the Environment during a hearing on “Mid-Level Ethanol Blends: Consumer and Technical Research Needs” on Feb. 26, Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, said that motorcycles and ATVs should be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15 on engines to ensure that the new fuel blend won’t damage those engines.

He also cautioned that E15 could lower fuel efficiency and possibly cause premature engine failure for motorcycles and ATVs.

E15 is a new fuel blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline that the EPA has approved for use in 2001-and-newer passenger vehicles. The blend isn’t approved for use in motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, lawn mowers and other engines, and may even damage them and void warranties.

E10, which is commonly found at gas stations, contains 10 percent ethanol. E0 fuel has no ethanol. Ethanol is grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency May No Longer Require Minimum Gas Purchase at Certain Pumps

PICKERINGTON, OH – December 20, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) -  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is apparently scrapping its requirement that all consumers buy at least four gallons of gasoline from certain gas pumps that dispense the new E15 ethanol-gasoline blend, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.

The EPA first revealed its minimum-purchase requirement to the AMA in a letter dated Aug. 1, responding to AMA concerns that E15 — a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume — could be put in motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle gas tanks inadvertently when consumers used blender pumps. A blender pump dispenses different fuel blends through the same hose, and the vast majority of motorcycles and ATVs in use today aren’t designed to operate on E15 fuel.

The EPA had said that the minimum purchase requirement was meant to dilute any residual E15 fuel left in the hose.

On Dec. 17, in response to ongoing AMA concerns, the EPA indicated to the AMA that it would no longer require a minimum purchase of four gallons. Instead, the EPA will now likely require a label on blender pumps that dispense E10 and E15 through the same hose that state the pump is solely for passenger cars and trucks.

In addition, the EPA indicated it will require stations that sell E15 to also have a pump with a dedicated E10 hose for use by motorcycles and other vehicles the EPA hasn’t approved for E15 use.

“With E15 gasoline, our members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less gasoline may be unknowingly refueling with residual fuel left in the hose,” Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, had said to the EPA before the agency’s Dec. 17 comments.

“Unlike an automobile or SUV that has a large fuel tank, the residual fuel left in a fueling hose could be detrimental to the performance of motorcycle or ATV engines due to the small size of their fuel tanks and the higher concentration of ethanol that would, therefore, be present in the fuel,” Allard had said. “In addition, the use of E15 will lower fuel efficiency and possibly cause premature engine failure. Use of E15 fuel voids many manufacturer warranties. In off-road engines, the effects can even be dangerous for users.”

The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available, and has asked that motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15.

Ethanol is essentially grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel. In October 2010, the EPA approved the use of E15 in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). Then, in January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-06 light-duty vehicles to the approved list.

No motorcycles or ATVs are currently on the list.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

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Federal officials mandating minimum four-gallon gasoline purchase from ethanol-blend pumps

PICKERINGTON, OH – August 8, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) -  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require all consumers to buy at least four gallons of gasoline from certain gas pumps after the new E15 ethanol-gasoline blend is introduced into the market, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.

The EPA revealed the requirement to the AMA in a letter dated Aug. 1, responding to AMA concerns that E15 — a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume — could be put in motorcycle and ATV gas tanks inadvertently when consumers use blender pumps. A blender pump dispenses different fuel blends through the same hose, and the vast majority of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in use today aren’t designed to operate on E15 fuel.

“With E15 gasoline, our members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less gasoline may be unknowingly refueling with residual fuel left in the hose,” Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, wrote in a June 20 letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

“Unlike an automobile or SUV that has a large fuel tank, the residual fuel left in a fueling hose could be detrimental to the performance of motorcycle or ATV engines due to the small size of their fuel tanks and the higher concentration of ethanol that would, therefore, be present in the fuel,” Allard wrote.

“In addition, the use of E15 will lower fuel efficiency and possibly cause premature engine failure,” he wrote. “Use of E15 fuel voids many manufacturer warranties. In off-road engines, the effects can even be dangerous for users.”

Byron Bunker of the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory responded to the AMA on behalf of Jackson.

“EPA requires that retail stations that own or operate blender pumps either dispense E15 from a dedicated hose and nozzle if able or, in the case of E15 and E10 being dispensed from the same hose, require that at least four gallons of fuel be purchased to prevent vehicles and engines with smaller fuel tanks from being exposed to gasoline-ethanol blended fuels containing greater than 10 volume percent ethanol,” Bunker wrote.

“Additionally, EPA is requiring that retail stations that offer E10 and E15 from the same hose and nozzle use additional labeling to inform consumers about the minimum purchase requirement,” Bunker wrote.

“Since motorcyclists and ATV users, as you suggest, have relatively small fuel tanks, they should pay careful attention to the labeling of blender pumps to ensure that an appropriate fuel is chosen, in this case E10 or E0,” he wrote.

Another problem with the new EPA policy, Allard said, is that not all motorcycle and ATV gas tanks hold four or more gallons.

“Not only do we find it unacceptable for the EPA to mandate that everyone — including our members — buy minimum amounts of gas, but the EPA answer simply won’t work because of the sizes of many motorcycle and ATV gas tanks and the fact that off-highway riders take containers of gas with them on their trips, and most times those containers are much smaller than four gallons,” Allard said.

“The EPA needs to come up with a better solution,” he said. “The EPA also needs to back an independent study to determine whether E15 is safe for motorcycle and ATV engines.”

The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available, and has asked that motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15.

Ethanol is essentially grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel. In October 2010, the EPA approved the use of E15 in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). Then, in January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-06 light-duty vehicles to the approved list.

No motorcycles or ATVs are currently on the list.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

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AMA wants motorcycles included in study of ethanol-blended fuel

PICKERINGTON, OH – July 14, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is asking a key U.S. House panel to include motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in any future study of ethanol-blended gasoline.

In a letter sent July 11 to the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee, the AMA, along with its partner organization, the All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA), urged subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-Md.) “that on- or off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) be part of any scientific study by the NAS” related to ethanol-blended gasoline. NAS stands for the National Academy of Sciences.

The subcommittee held a hearing on July 7 entitled “Hitting the Ethanol Blend Wall: Examining the Science on E15.” The hearing focused on E15, a new gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent alcohol by volume. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in October 2010 approved the use of E15 in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). In January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-2006 light-duty vehicles to the approved list.

No on- or off-highway motorcycles or ATVs are currently approved.

At its hearing, the subcommittee indicated that it may require the EPA to arrange with the NAS to study a full range of issues related to E15.

In the letter, AMA Washington Representative Rick Podliska said the AMA and ATVA have concerns about: E15 being put in motorcycles or ATVs mistakenly and damaging engines; the continued availability of gasoline that has no ethanol, or gasoline with only a 10 percent blend that is safe for use in motorcycles and ATVs; the possibility that “blender pumps” — which dispense multiple grades of gasoline through a single hose — could introduce enough ethanol into gasoline to be used in a motorcycle or ATV to damage the vehicle; and that ethanol absorbs water, which could be harmful to motorcycles and ATVs.

“In conclusion, to address our concerns, the AMA and ATVA urge that on- or off-highway motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study by NAS,” Podliska wrote. “Not only should the study focus on the short- and long-term impacts on vehicles and engines, but should consider financial implications of increased ethanol use in gasoline on consumers; fuel producers, distributors and retailers; vehicle and engine manufacturers, dealers and service facilities; and the environment.”

To read the letter, click here: http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Libraries/Rights_Documents_Federal/Harris_NAS_Ethanol_7-11-2011.sflb.ashx?download=true.

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EPA Decision to Permit Higher Ethanol Levels in Gasoline Triggers Trade Groups’ Filing of Petition to Mandate the Continued Availability of E10 Fuel

Auto, marine, motorcycle, outdoor power equipment, personal watercraft, snowmobile manufacturers and user groups file petition with EPA to ensure continued availability of E10 designed for millions of consumer products

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 23, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Auto, marine, motorcycle, outdoor power equipment, personal watercraft and snowmobile groups filed a petition today asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the continued sale and availability of gasoline blends of no greater than 10 percent ethanol (E10) for the 400 million engine products used by tens of millions of people every day in the U.S. These products were not designed, built or warranted to run on any fuel containing more than ten percent ethanol. The groups are concerned that retailers are not prepared to offer both E10 and E15 at their stations, and given the choice, may opt to offer E15 only.

“Misfueling is our prime concern, and we foresee that consumers will be forced to fuel with E15 unless EPA requires stations to carry both legacy (E10) and new E15 fuels,” said Kris Kiser, speaking on behalf of the organizations. “Many stations may not be equipped to accommodate an additional fuel, leading them to choose between E15 and E10 fuels – and E15 will likely win out since it may be more profitable for them to carry. This means consumers might have no choice but to fuel with E15, and there will be little to prevent them from misfueling when they come in with a lawnmower, chainsaw, motorcycle, snowmobile, boat or older car.”

The organizations point out that EPA’s prior experience with fuel transitions and misfueling demonstrates that labeling alone is insufficient to prevent misfueling. In 1974, as EPA led the transition to unleaded fuels, the Agency reported a misfueling rate of 15 percent over ten years after the introduction of unleaded gasoline.

The petition for rulemaking, filed with the U.S. EPA, says that with a partial waiver ruling, EPA cannot assure E10 fuel will be available for legacy fleet, and therefore, the petitioners request that EPA, consistent with prior precedent, ensure continued consumer choice by requiring the continued sale of gasoline blends of no greater than E10 fuel.

The petition says that EPA must assure continued availability of E10 for three specific reasons.

• There is a strong potential that the reduced volume of E10 fuel required in the marketplace might result in the elimination of supply, further eroding the availability of a fuel needed for millions of off-road, small engine equipment,
• EPA must create legal obligations that ensure that the conditions on which the waivers were based can be fulfilled, and
• EPA has enough evidence that emission control devices would be significantly “impaired” by E15 to support a requirement for E10.

A detailed fact sheet on the joint petition filing can be found at: http://members.opei.org/news/detail.dot?id=12146

Background

Growth Energy, an ethanol industry trade group, petitioned the EPA in March 2009 to raise the limit on ethanol in gasoline from 10 to 15 percent. Several engine product and auto manufacturers as well as others urged EPA to be deliberative in its review process, assuring thorough and adequate testing to assure that E15 would not harm existing products or pose safety risks. By approving E15 use in a small subset of engines on the road, there is a high risk that consumers will unknowingly or mistakenly put E15 in products for which it has not been approved.

About Global Automakers

The Association, formerly known as AIAM, serves as the voice of international automobile manufacturers in the United States. Today, it represent the U.S. subsidiaries of 15 motor vehicle manufacturers who produce 40 percent of all vehicles built in America and also account for 40 percent of total U.S. auto sales. For more information, visit www.globalautomakers.org.

About ISMA

The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association – is a non-profit organization representing the four snowmobile manufacturers (Arctic Cat, BRP, Polaris, and Yamaha.) The organization and its members support and interact with customer (enthusiast) associations throughout the world in protecting and promoting recreational public access for snowmobilers and in supporting and promoting safe, responsible snowmobile behavior. The organization interacts with government agencies worldwide in advocating responsible regulation and positive market oriented standards.

About Motorcycle Industry Council

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit, national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.

About NMMA

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.

About OPEI

OPEI is an international trade association representing more than 80 engine and equipment manufacturers worldwide in the utility, forestry, landscape, and lawn and garden industry. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.

About ROHVA

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is a national industry organization that promotes the safe and responsible use of ROVs. ROHVA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop equipment, configuration and performance standards. Based in Irvine, Calif., the not-for-profit association is sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Kawasaki, Polaris and Yamaha. For more information visit ROHVA.org.

About SVIA

The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America^® promotes the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles through rider training, public awareness campaigns and state legislation. Additionally, the SVIA works to preserve access to off-road lands and expand riding opportunities. The SVIA is a resource for ATV research, statistics and vehicle standards. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the SVIA develops standards for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ATVs.

Based in Irvine, Calif., the SVIA is a not-for-profit industry association sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki, Tomberlin and Yamaha. Visit the SVIA online at www.svia.org. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse^SM nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.

Full list of participating organizations:

American Motorcyclist Association

Association of Global Automakers

Association of Marina Industries

BoatUS

International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association

Motorcycle Industry Council

National Boating Federation

National Marine Manufacturers Associations

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

Personal Watercraft Industry Association

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association

Specialty Vehicle Institute of America

 

Contacts

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)
Kris Kiser, 703-549-7600
EVP at OPEI
kkiser@opei.org
or
Caroline March-Long, 434-295-5938
Caroline@FourLeafPR.com
or
Global Automakers
Annemarie Pender, 202-650-5548
apender@globalautomakers.org
or
International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA)
Ed Klim, 517-339-7788
www.snowmobile.org
or
Motorcycle Industry Council
Pamela Amette, 949-727-4211, ext. 3047
pamette@mic.org
or
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)
Christine Pomorski, 202-737-9774
cpomorski@nmma.org

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Organizations Ask Court to Overturn EPA Approval of E15

WASHINGTON, DC – January 3, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, today joined with two organizations to ask a federal appeals court to overturn a recent decision by the Environmental Protection Agency that authorizes the sale of gasoline with 50 percent more ethanol for late-model vehicles.

Organizations joining NPRA in the legal challenge to EPA are the International Liquid Terminals Association and the Western States Petroleum Association.

EPA’s Oct. 13 decision boosted the amount of ethanol permitted in gasoline used by cars and light trucks in the 2007 model year and later from the current 10 percent (E10) to 15 percent (E15).

NPRA and the other organizations today filed a petition asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review and overturn the EPA decision, contending EPA violated the Clean Air Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.

The lawsuit by the groups will argue that EPA does not have authority under the Clean Air Act to approve a partial waiver that allows the use of E15 in some engines but not in others.

In addition, the lawsuit will contend that EPA based its partial waiver decision on new data submitted to the public rulemaking docket on the day before EPA announced the partial waiver, providing no time for the stakeholder review or meaningful public comment required under the Administrative Procedure Act.

NPRA and the other organizations will file more details and written arguments regarding their lawsuit in coming weeks.

“NPRA is taking this action because our members are committed to consumer protection and providing safe, efficient, affordable and reliable fuel to the American people,” NPRA President Charles T. Drevna said. “The organizations challenging EPA’s decision believe the agency has acted unlawfully in its rush to allow a 50 percent increase in the amount of ethanol in gasoline without adequate testing and without following proper procedures. As a result, we had no choice but to take this issue to court.”

NPRA and other groups have previously raised concerns about engine damage in cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, and outdoor power equipment such as lawnmowers and chainsaws that might be caused by E15.

The groups have said that while E15 is not recommended for anything but 2007 model vehicles and later under the EPA decision, many consumers will inevitably use E15 in other engines, a problem known as misfueling.

SOURCE: National Petrochemical & Refiners Association

http://www.npra.org

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24 Groups Seek More Time to Comment on E15 Regulations

WASHINGTON, December 16, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – A diverse group of 24 organizations today asked the Environmental Protection Agency to allow an additional 60 days for public comment on proposed regulations designed to prevent misfueling with gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15).

NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, is among the signers of a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson requesting the extension beyond the current deadline of Jan. 3.

The letter says the extension is needed “to allow stakeholders the opportunity to offer complete and thoughtful comments” on the proposed misfueling regulations. Three of the eight weeks EPA designated to receive comments fall around holidays, when many people are out of their offices, the letter points out.

Organizations signing the letter are: Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers; American Boat Builders & Repairers Association; American Petroleum Institute; American Sportfishing Association; Association of Marina Industries; Boat Owners of the United States (BoatU.S.); Center for Coastal Conservation; Coastal Conservation Association; Engine Manufacturers Association; Environmental Working Group; International Liquid Terminals Association; International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association; Marine Retailers Association of America; Motorcycle Industry Council; National Association of State Boating Law Administrators; National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO); National Marine Manufacturers Association; National Meat Association; National Petrochemical & Refiners Association; Outdoor Power Equipment Institute; Personal Watercraft Industry Association; Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council; Specialty Equipment Market Association; and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America.

“The members of NPRA want to be absolutely certain that the gasoline we manufacture for the American people is safe, effective and reliable,” said NPRA President Charles T. Drevna. “This is why we’ve repeatedly asked EPA to proceed carefully on all its decisions regarding increasing the amount of ethanol allowed in our nation’s fuel supply.”

“Misfueling is a serious problem that could cause costly damage to the engines in vehicles and equipment powered by gasoline,” Drevna said. “Groups concerned about this require more time to evaluate the problem so they can give EPA their best ideas on how to prevent misfueling.”

EPA approved the use of E15 on Oct. 13 for cars and light-duty trucks produced for the 2007 model year and later, but did not approve the use of E15 for older cars and light-duty trucks, or for any model year for motorcycles, heavy-duty trucks, buses, boats, snowmobiles and outdoor power equipment.

Misfueling occurs when someone puts the wrong gasoline into an engine. For example, the driver of an older car could fill up with E15, or someone could fill a can with E15 for use in a lawnmower. NPRA supports the use of gasoline containing 10 percent ethanol (E10), which already makes up 85 percent of the gasoline sold in America, but advocates more testing to determine if E15 is safe.

EPA’s proposed regulations designed to prevent misfueling include fuel pump labeling requirements to make consumers aware when a pump dispenses E15 and to educate them on the limited number of vehicles EPA says can use E15. In addition, EPA has proposed a quarterly survey of gasoline retailers designed to help ensure that gasoline pumps are properly labeled.

SOURCE: National Petrochemical & Refiners Association

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NPRA Criticizes EPA Decision to Increase Ethanol in Gasoline Could Damage Motorcycles

WASHINGTON, DC – October 13, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Gregory M. Scott, executive vice president and general counsel of NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, issued the following statement criticizing the decision announced today by the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15) for late-model cars, up from the current limit of 10 percent ethanol (E10):

“The Environmental Protection Agency today abdicated its responsibility to safeguard our nation’s public health and environment and became the Ethanol Promotion Agency. EPA’s unwise and premature decision to allow the sale of gasoline with higher levels of ethanol may be good politics in Corn Belt states on the eve of the midterm elections, but it is bad news for every American who owns a car, truck, motorcycle, boat, snowmobile, lawnmower, chainsaw or anything else powered by gasoline.

“The ethanol industry has won a victory today by convincing the federal agency charged with protecting our nation’s public health and environment to disregard public safety and environmental issues and instead base a major policy decision on inadequate engine test data that has not been made public or reviewed independently. The American people are the losers today because EPA has violated President Obama’s 2009 commitment to them to put science ahead of politics.

“EPA is asking the American people to pump first and ask questions later, and to become guinea pigs in a giant science experiment that involves their vehicles, their gasoline-powered equipment, and their safety. Instead of rushing to judgment to announce this decision today, EPA should have required the completion of thorough and objective scientific testing of increased ethanol in gasoline to protect millions of Americans.

“Our nation’s domestic petroleum refiners are committed to manufacturing safe, reliable and clean gasoline, and we will continue to oppose any EPA actions that could endanger the safety of the American families, farmers and truckers we serve every day. We take the confidence Americans place in our products – demonstrated by the millions of times each day that consumers purchase gasoline and diesel fuel – very seriously, and we will consider every option available to reverse EPA’s ill-considered and politically motivated decision.”

NPRA members include more than 450 companies, including virtually all U.S. refiners and petrochemical manufacturers. Our members supply consumers with a wide variety of products and services used daily in their homes and businesses. These products include gasoline, diesel fuel, home heating oil, jet fuel, lubricants and the chemicals that serve as “building blocks” in making everything from plastics to clothing to medicine to computers.

SOURCE: National Petrochemical & Refiners Association

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