From AMA
Federal agency seeks comments on ethanol-blended fuel Submit today!
Take Action by Aug. 31
The Renewable Fuel Standard proposal announced July 5 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows a slight reduction from the 2017 obligations but does not reflect the agency's promise to listen to motorcyclists, who have registered a low demand for higher ethanol blends.
The EPA should lower the 2018 volumes even further than proposed when the final rule is issued this year. The current proposed volumes, even though they are 1 percent lower than the 2017 volumes, would still greatly increase the risk of inadvertent misfueling for motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle owners by continuing the increased availability of higher-ethanol fuel blends that are unsafe for these vehicles, such as E15 (15 percent ethanol by volume).
Act now by submitting comments to voice your concern. The deadline is Aug. 31.
The EPA's proposed Renewable Volume Obligations call for 19.24 billion gallons of biofuel for 2018, down from 19.28 billion gallons this year.
Of the 19.24 billion gallons of biofuels proposed for 2018, 15 billion gallons would be conventional renewables, primarily corn ethanol, with lesser amounts of conventional biodiesel and renewable diesel.
What is jeopardized by the proposed rule is consumer choice at the fuel pump. Pressure from the ethanol industry to distribute more high-ethanol fuels, like E15, endangers the ready availability of E10 and threatens to eliminate E0 altogether, the only fuel recommended for older and vintage motorcycles.
Per the proposed rule, "When estimating per gallon costs, we consider the costs of ethanol on an energy equivalent basis to gasoline (i.e., per energy equivalent gallon), since more ethanol gallons must be consumed to go the same distance as gasoline due to the ethanol's lower energy content."
Many consumers want E0 for their motorcycles, ATVs, boats, lawn mowers and other equipment, because it does not pose the risk of alcohol-related engine and fuel system damage. The proposed rule does not mention these types of vehicles or small engines whatsoever. It mentions only marine recreationists as users of E0. Yet, the renewable fuels requirements have marginalized E0 in favor of E10 or higher blends.
Moreover, the EPA acknowledges the amount of E0 sales originally was estimated to be about 200 million gallons. The revised numbers place the figure at about 500 million gallons.
Also important, the proposed rule mentions the likelihood of misfueling with higher ethanol blends only once. In the 2017 rule, it was never mentioned. This is the same misfueling mitigation plan that initially mandated an ill-conceived four-gallon minimum fuel purchase to address the concerns raised by the AMA. It is still easily misunderstood, misapplied or ignored by state governments and retail operators.
Fuels with higher ethanol content must adhere to federal labeling rules. Pump labeling is confusing at best, yet extremely important to protect against inadvertent misfueling. Some retailers conflate the EPA-approved E15 label with the Federal Trade Commission-approved label. (There is only one approved label for E15.) One unapproved label being used incorrectly refers to E15 as a "Flex Fuel." This label circumvents the Reid Vapor Pressure restrictions that prohibit the sale of E15 fuel in certain parts of the country during the summer months.
The draft proposal fails to mention the Misfueling Mitigation Plan or problems with blender pump labeling.
The EPA opened a comment period to allow the public to voice its opinion on the proposed rule. And the AMA has the tools to make it easy for you to submit comments.
There is nothing more powerful than tens of thousands of riders joining together to express their concern with unsafe fuel for their machines.
Now more than ever, it is crucial that you and your riding friends become members of the AMA to help protect our riding freedoms. More members mean more clout against the opponents of motorcycling. That support will help fight for your rights - on the road, trail, racetrack, and in the halls of government. If you are a motorcycle rider, join the AMA at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.
For Immediate Release
BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY BRINGS HUNDREDS TO WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, over 100 motorcyclists made the trek to Washington, DC to connect with elected officials from across the country in support of motorcyclists’ rights. Participants included Members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, State Motorcycle Rights Organizations (SMROs) and representatives from NCOM, as well as motorcycle clubs all across the country. More than 300 meetings with Members of Congress and their staff took place on May 23. Dozens of motorcycles lined third Street in front of the U.S. Capitol as rights advocates prepared to discuss issues critical to the 2017 legislative agenda. Among these included supporting the RPM Act, ensuring motorcyclists had a voice within the emerging area of autonomous vehicles, and the reestablished Motorcycle Advisory Council, as well as recommendations concerning the definition of a motorcycle. Notably, participants asked their legislators to support and co-sponsor recently introduced legislative measures citing concerns over the profiling of motorcyclists (H.Res.318 and S.Res154). Every meeting marked another critical step forward in building and maintaining relationships with congressional offices, and each meeting provided the opportunity to communicate directly with a wide array of lawmakers who are currently considering legislation that would affect the rights of motorcyclists. The event also helped to educate and raise awareness among elected officials about the challenges many motorcyclists face on our nation’s highways. This was demonstrated in an event held in Cannon House Office Building, which allowed Members of Congress and their staff to experience these challenges first hand by using a SMARTrainer which simulates some of the situations riders experience. The SMARTrainer event, sponsored by MRF Awareness & Education, was hosted by Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa and was widely-attended. President of the Board of Directors for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard said, “This mobilization of riders from across our nation delivered crucial messages ensuring our voice is heard in Washington. With every Member of Congress representing hundreds of thousands of constituents, this event allows riders to deliver our message in person and hold our lawmakers accountable for protecting our right to ride.”
About Us
About Our Organization
The New Hampshire Motorcyclist Rights Organization (NHMRO) was founded in 1975 to fight the freedoms that were being systematically taken away.
NHMRO was incorporated as a non-profit organization, under the laws of the state of New Hampshire, and the internal revenue tax codes. Our sole purpose is to protect the rights of ALL motorcyclists to choose how they ride and to maintain and peserve their freedoms as riders.
NHMRO welcomes ANY and ALL motorcyclists to be part of our organization, so that we may all protect our rights and freedoms, regardless of motorcycle preference, lifestyle or when and how we ride. We encourage all motorcyclists to register and actively participate in helping to elect candidates that are supportive of our beliefs.
NHMRO supports the VOLUNTARY use of helmets, not mandatory laws.
Member Meetings
The Deerhead Sportsmens Club
Rte 28 Bypass
Hoosett, NH 03106
Next General meetings will be held on Sept 17th., at 1:30PM. We meet downstairs and during the meeting will be non-smoking.
There will be a board meeting at 11:30AM.
NHMRO SUPPORTS
