DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (March 8, 2013) — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has sent an "urgent legislative alert" to its members urging support for a Florida bill to repeal the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol.
The legislation — H.B. 4001 — is being considered in the Florida House, according to SEMA. The Florida Renewable Fuels Standard currently requires all gasoline sold or offered for sale by a terminal supplier, importer, blender or wholesaler in Florida contain 9-10 percent ethanol, or other alternative fuel, by volume.
SEMA is urging its members to contact legislators on the Florida House Regulatory Affairs Committee requesting support for the bill for the following reasons:
• H.B. 4001 recognizes that ethanol increases water formation which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber, especially over a period of time when the vehicle is not used, according to SEMA. Current high-performance specialty parts along with pre-model year 2001 cars and parts may be most susceptible to corrosion.
• H.B. 4001 recognizes that the life span of vehicles and equipment can be dramatically reduced with the wrong fuel and that owners could be confronted with break downs. Anti-corrosion additives are available for each purchase of gasoline but can become expensive, burdensome and require consumer education, the trade group said.
• H.B. 4001 recognizes that while the current ethanol mandate does not apply to fuel used in collector vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles or small engines, SEMA claims there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.
SEMA suggested members email copies of letters supporting the bill to Steve McDonald at [email protected].