Maine Bill to Prohibit Ethanol Blended Gasoline at Levels Greater Than 10% Signed Into Law; Total Ban Fails Senate Vote

Legislation (LD 453) that prohibits a person from selling or offering for sale gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10% by volume was signed into law by Governor Paul LePage.  The law would not take effect until at least two other New England states have enacted laws that prohibit the sale of gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol at a level greater than 10% by volume.  Separate legislation (L.D. 115) to prohibit the sale and distribution of corn-based ethanol if at least two other New England states pass a similar prohibition failed in the Maine Senate by a 21-14 vote.  However, the bill remains alive as Senators reconsider the initial vote.

We Continue to Urge You to Contact Members of the Maine Senate (List Below) Immediately to Request Support for LD 115

  • LD 115 recognizes that ethanol increases water formation which can then corrode metals, plastics and rubber, especially over a period of time when the vehicle is not used.  Current high performance specialty parts along with pre-model year 2001 cars and parts may be most susceptible to corrosion.
     
  • LD 115 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.
     
  • LD 115 recognizes that there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.
     
  • LD 115 would not take effect until at least two of the other New England states, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, have enacted laws that prohibit the sale of motor fuel containing corn-based ethanol.

DON’T DELAY!  Please contact all members of the Maine Senate to request support for LD 115.  Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.  Also, please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts.  Urge them to join the SAN and help defend the hobby! Thank you for your assistance. 

Maine Senate

To e-mail all Senate members, copy and paste the email address block below:

SenDawn.Hill@Legislature.maine.gov; rcollins7@maine.rr.com; SenJohn.Tuttle@legislature.maine.gov; ddutrem1@gmail.com; senatorvalentino@gmail.com; senjames.boyle@legislature.maine.gov; senrebeccamillett@gmail.com; justin@justinalfond.com; annehask@maine.rr.com; stan1340@aol.com; Dick@dickwoodbury.com; senG.plummer@legislature.maine.gov; senatorhamp@gmail.com; johnpat2000@hotmail.com; senjohn.cleveland@legislature.maine.gov; mmcraven@roadrunner.com; SenGarrett.Mason@legislature.maine.gov; drtom16@hotmail.com; senseth.goodall@legislature.maine.gov; senchris.johnson@legislature.maine.gov; SenPatrick.Flood@legislature.maine.gov; edmazurek1@aol.com; senatorthibodeau@aol.com; SenRoger.Katz@legislature.maine.gov; sencolleen.lachowicz@legislature.maine.gov; rodwhittemore@gmail.com; firewood@tds.net; SenBrian.Langley@legislature.maine.gov; SenDavid.Burns@legislature.maine.gov; emily.cain@gmail.com; edmyoungblood@gmail.com; Sengeoff.gratwick@legislature.maine.gov; andre@andrecushing.com; Senroger.sherman@legislature.maine.gov; SenTroy.Jackson@legislature.maine.gov