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Yesterday the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment Subcommittee held a hearing regarding the future of transportation fuels. A number of panelists testified before the Subcommittee, including representatives from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the Fuels Institute. During the hearing, Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA) used his allotted time to discuss the needs of boaters, the negative impact that E15 has on marine engines, and the positive aspects of biobutanol.

Congressman Carter asked witnesses if the needs of boaters were being kept in mind when fuel policy decisions are being formulated. He also asked witnesses what additional government efforts can be done to help promote biobutanol and ensure its availability. The Congressman also brought up misleading marketing tactics by the ethanol industry to promote E15 as “Unleaded 88”.  Congressman Carter’s remarks can be viewed here.

The NMMA federal affairs team is continuing to work with Members of Congress on reforming the broken Renewable Fuel Standard that mandates E15 and other high blends of ethanol in the fuel supply. NMMA also thanks Congressman Carter for his leadership during the hearing and looks forward to working with him on ways to better protect boaters and promote biobutanol. 

For more information, please contact NMMA’s Vice President of Federal and Legal Affairs, Nicole Vasilaros at [email protected] or NMMA’s Director of Federal Government Affairs, Mike Pasko at [email protected].