South Carolina Motorcycle Rights Association

Congressman James Sensenbrenner has once again introduced a bill that would call for the study of mid-level ethanol blends and their effect on internal combustion engines.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a waiver to the Clean Air Act that allowed for the sale of ethanol blends of up to 15 percent. The EPA never studied the effects of the high blend on the power train of any vehicle. They only studied tailpipe emissions.

H.R. 21 calls for the study of the new, untested, higher blends, which is sorely needed. Some motorcycle manufacturers are voiding warranties if the 15 percent blend is used in the vehicle.

Beyond voiding a warranty, should you use the E15 blend in your motorcycle, you are violating federal law. According to final ruling, motorcycles are not included in the waiver, and therefore making it illegal to use the blend. The waiver for using the E15 blend is limited to light trucks and passenger cars. Specifically the rule states that the E15 blend can only be used in 2001 and newer light-duty passenger cars.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation urges you to call your Members of the House of Representatives and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 21.

For more information on the EPA final rule click here:

http://www.epa.gov/oms/regs/fuels/additive/e15/420f11023.pdf