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