The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge brought by marine industry groups and others against the Environmental Protection Agency’s waiver allowing E15 in the marketplace.

Along with groups representing industries ranging from farmers to oil companies, the NMMA and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas had asked the court to review an August 2012 decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which had ruled that the groups did not have legal standing to challenge the EPA’s waiver allowing the 15 percent ethanol blend to be sold.

In an email to Boating Industry, the NMMA expressed disappointment in the decision: “While we are disappointed…, we are committed to continuing our work against mid-level ethanol blends on behalf of the recreational boating industry,” said Nicole Vasilaros, director of regulatory and legal affairs. “Through legislative action and research surrounding alternative biofuels, NMMA continues the fight against the harmful effects of E15. NMMA is also currently involved in a misfueling case that was set aside pending this review. We look forward to any next steps the misfueling case may also provide to protect the recreational boating industry and its consumers.”