In 2008, the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard Act went into effect, requiring nearly all gasoline offered for sale in the state of Missouri to contain at least 10 percent ethanol.

While this may sound like a step in a green direction, for many unknowing boat owners, it may mean a trip to their local marine mechanic. Now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering allowing even higher levels of ethanol.

Even though state requirements went into effect last year, many boat owners just now are starting to experience the ill-effects of ethanol blended fuels in a marine environment.

Joel Goller of Savannah Marine has experienced the problems blended fuels can have on boat engines since their introduction. He acknowledged this is often a touchy subject because many boaters also are corn producers and have a stake in ethanol fuels.

“The worst part of the issue is it’s so hard for the consumer to get a straight answer from fuel stations because most employees have no idea what is in their fuel,” he said.

While many think they are fueling up with ethanol-free fuel, they’re not.

This confusion comes as part of a loophole in Missouri’s fuel requirements, which do not require ethanol labeling on gasoline dispensers.

Missouri requirements currently state that if a consumer has a specific application that requires a fuel without ethanol, such as a marine or small engine, the consumer must purchase premium unleaded gasoline with an octane of 91 or higher that also is advertised as not containing ethanol.

Boat owners and others must ensure the gasoline is a premium blend and advertised as ethanol free to ensure they are truly getting the right fuel. Unfortunately, this is not well known among boat owners, and many mistakenly purchased fuel with ethanol.

The only other exceptions where ethanol-free gas can be purchased is gasoline sold at airports and marinas, though buyers looking for ethanol-free gas should double check to ensure the gas does not contain an ethanol blend at these locations.

With problems stemming from E10 gasoline, the Boat Owners Association of The United States (Boat US) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) are urging every boater in America to speak out on the issue before the July 20 federal comment period closes.

Boat US and the NMMA are concerned because current boat engines are not designed, calibrated nor certified for use with gasoline containing more than 10-percent ethanol. Recreational boat warranty documents and owners manuals currently advise boaters not to use gasoline containing more than 10-percent ethanol. Therefore, the use of E15 in marine engines could void engine warranties and damage motors and fuel systems.

“This is not about growing renewable energy,” said Margaret Podlich, Boat U.S.’s vice president of government affairs. “This is really about a group of investors attempting to profit at the expense of 13 million recreational boat owners. We had significant problems with the nationwide roll-out of E10 a few years ago, and without further independent testing of E15 with marine engines, we are very likely to see similar issues.”

Boaters can go to http://www.BoatUS.com/gov or http://capwiz.com/nmma/home/ before the federally mandated comment period ends on July 20 to learn more and send the EPA an e-mail asking it to deny the petition for a waiver for the use of E15 fuel until more testing is done on marine engines and fuel systems.