Biden Administration announces temporary E15 gas sales

Published On: April 22, 2022Categories: Industry News, News

The Biden Administration announced it will ease restrictions on year-round sales of high-ethanol gasoline in an effort to curtail rising gas prices across the country. Reported recently by the Wall Street Journal, the announcement will allow for gas with 15 percent ethanol (E15) to be sold between June 1 and September 15. Typically, E15 sales during summer months are prohibited, in part because of its contribution to air pollution.

E15 gasoline is prohibited by federal law for use in boat engines and voids many engine warranties. The boating industry has noted that labeling at land-based fuel stations has caused confusion among boaters, leading some to mistakenly pump the incorrect gas.

Ethanol in gasoline is a problem for boats due in part to phase-separation. When moisture is introduced to an on-board fuel tank because of variations in temperature, it binds with the ethanol and settles as sludge in the bottom of the tank. Ethanol has also been known to be corrosive to metal fuel tanks and engine components.