effects of the RFS— and at least half of voters from all parties rated engine damage, environmental degradation and rising food prices that come from ethanol as very serious concerns.
78 percent of those polled had serious concerns that higher blends of ethanol such as E-15 can cause severe damage in cars, motorcycles, boats, lawn equipment and other small engines.
73 percent of polled voters had serious concerns about an EPA analysis showing that emissions that contribute to climate change are 28 percent higher from corn ethanol than pure gasoline.
77 percent of those polled had serious concerns about corn ethanol production consuming 34 times more water than pure gasoline.
80 percent of polled voters had serious concerns about how diverting corn to produce ethanol could increase food prices.
Also in the U. S. Congress, S. 577( Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015) and H. R. 704( RFS Reform Act of 2015) address the RFRS mandated requirements.
The U. S. Department of Agriculture( USDA) is showing support for E15 in the form of Federal Grants. Colorado could get $ 600,000 to install 7 tanks and 28 pumps at 7 gas stations. Of course the money has to be met 1:1 by the CO Department of Agriculture or private partners. Here are 2 links so you can read more about it: www. fsa. usda. gov / programs-and-services / energyprograms / bip / index and www. usda. gov / wps / portal / usdahome? contentid = 2015 / 10 / 0300. xml.
Additionally, On March 22, U. S. Rep. David Loebsack( D-Iowa) introduced H. R. 4673, the Renewable Fuel Utilization, Expansion, and Leadership Act” or the“ REFUEL Act.” The bill would provide federal grants to purchase and install new or existing infrastructure( i. e., pumps, storage tanks, internal tank lining, piping, and electric vehicle chargers). The infrastructure must be used in the“ process of dispensing fuel containing covered renewable or alternative energy.”
The bill contradicts the will of Congress, which prohibited funding for special ethanol blender pumps in the FARM bill.
Despite congressional intent to stop blender pumps from being subsidized, this bill follows U. S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’ s end-around efforts to use other programs to fund blender pumps.
These pumps would be a key component in helping to expand the availability of E15 fuel, a blend of gasoline that includes up to 15 percent ethanol by volume.
On the state level, there was SB-175 introduced on 3 / 28 to give a tax credit to retailers to sell E15. This was an attempt to increase the sale of E15 in Colorado. After much effort, letters, meetings, and attendance at the Senate Finance Committee Hearing by ABATE members, the bill was killed in committee.
Hopefully now, you all understand the importance of the E15 issue and will contact your legislators about your concerns. ABATE and other Motorcycle Rights Organizations( AMA & MRF) are working hard to avoid the wide-spread sale of E15 so there’ s less chance of accidently misfueling and ruining your motorcycle engine. Isn’ t it time to join the fight?
Stump Legislative Affairs Officer – ABATE of Colorado
www. thunderroadscolorado. com May 2016 Thunder Roads Magazine ® Colorado 7