Contact your representative today!
In an effort to prohibit the availability of E15, a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume, the American Motorcyclist Association supports U.S. Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Peter Welch’s (D-Vt.) H.R. 704, the RFS Reform Act of 2015. The bipartisan bill would amend the Renewable Fuel Standard to recognize market conditions and realities. It will also prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from allowing the introduction into the marketplace of gasoline blends with more than 10 percent of ethanol by volume.
In other words, E15 will not be permitted if this legislation becomes law.
The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle fuel systems and engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available.
In October 2010, the EPA approved E15 for use in model year 2007 and newer light duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles). In January 2011, it added model year 2001-2006 light duty vehicles to the approved list.
Passing H.R. 704 will protect the 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles currently in use on America’s roads and trails (and the riders who depend on their safe operation) from inadvertent misfueling.
Preventing these inadvertent misfuelings has been one of the AMA’s top priorities because motorcycles and ATVs in use today are not designed to run on ethanol blends higher than 10 percent, and many older machines favored by vintage enthusiasts have problems with any ethanol in the fuel. Often, simply using fuel with blends of ethanol over 10 percent can void a manufacturer’s warranty, potentially leaving motorcyclists with thousands of dollars in additional maintenance costs.
We need your help to pass H.R. 704. You can send a prewritten email to your representative immediately by following the “Take Action” option and entering your information. The AMA encourages riders to personalize their message by drawing on their own personal riding experiences.
Please join the AMA to help us fight for safe access to fuel. More members means more clout against our opponents, and your support will help the AMA fight for your rights – on the road, trail, racetrack, and in the halls of government. To join, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com/membership/join.
Join the conversation with us by tweeting using #RFSBroken or share with your friends on Facebook.
