Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/288177
www.BoatingIndustry.com www.BoatingIndustry.com 22 | Boating Industry | April 2014 I t's easy to be frustrated or turned off by the partisan politics, govern- ment shutdowns and other Washington goings-on that make the headlines in our nation's capital. While we could choose to ignore Washington, the reality is that Washington is not going to ignore the boating industry. From tax is- sues to healthcare reform to environmental regulations, what happens in Washington affects our industry every day. One of the best ways to keep up on the issues and help shape policy is to attend the annual American Boating Congress, coming up in May. (Read more on p. 25) The following are some of the key issues affecting the industry this year and how they are progressing. ETHANOL The ethanol issue is one on which the industry and its partners have made signifi cant progress in the last few years. The biggest concern for the industry when it comes to ethanol is E15, a fuel blend of 15 per- cent ethanol that is becoming more prevalent at gas stations, especially in the Midwest. Although not approved for use in marine engines, there is signifi cant risk of misfueling if boaters don't understand the risks. Three recent studies seem to back that up. In a BoatUS survey, 63 percent of its members said they fi ll their boats at roadside gas stations and a study last year found that many stations selling E15 were not displaying all of the required warning labels. At the same time, AAA reported that 95 percent of its members were not aware of E15. It's been a major policy issue for not only the marine industry, but also a diverse coalition of groups including snowmobile manufacturers, dairy farmers and poultry farmers, because of the concerns about corn being diverted from food to fuel. That group scored a signifi cant victory when the Environmental Pro- tection Agency announced last fall its proposal to reduce the amount of ethanol required to be blended into gasoline and diesel fuel in 2014 under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Passed as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the RFS sets the levels of biofuels that have to be used in the nation's fuel supply – levels that have been called "unattainable" by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The boating industry alone submitted more than 1,600 com- ments in favor of the proposal. "That's the fi rst time any administration has taken action to step back and say, hey we might not actually meet these goals," said Nicole Vasilaros, NMMA's director of regula- tory and legal affairs. A closer look at the key issues facing the marine industry The Hill named EPA's proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard one of the top lobbying victories of 2013. Boating Industry Visit BoatingIndustry.com for the latest on these and other regulatory issues. P22x27-BI14APR-GovtUpdate.indd 22 3/13/14 4:25 PM