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OPEI Urges Consumers to 01-19-16 | News

OPEI Urges Consumers to
"Look Before You Pump"
FTC Ruling on Ethanol Labeling on Gas Pumps

OPEI reminds consumers to continue to be vigilant and pay attention at the gas pump, especially when buying fuel for any outdoor power equipment or small engine product. The ever-changing and expanding fuel marketplace offers more choices at the gas pump - such as E15, E20, E30 and E85.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute issued a statement on the announcement by the Federal Trade Commission on fuel pump labeling of ethanol content of gasoline.

"We appreciate efforts by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to regulate and manage the rapidly-changing fuels marketplace, requiring that gas pumps be labeled with percentage of gasoline and percentage of ethanol added," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. "However, the agency didn't go far enough. We fear consumers will remain confused and inadvertently misfuel their small engine equipment, in particular."

The new rule issued by the FTC requires ethanol blended fuels be labeled at the gas pump as: "Use Only in Flex-Fuel Vehicles/May Harm Other Engines."

Yet, consumer surveys conducted in April and May 2015, found that Americans do not pay much attention to labels at the pump. Less than one quarter (23 percent) stated that they notice the ethanol content on the fuel pump. Less than half (47 percent) of Americans admitted they check the fuel pump for any warning labels when fueling up their cars at gas stations.

"This is a wake-up call for Americans," Kiser said. "It is more important than ever, for consumers to pay attention at the gas pump. You must put the right fuel, in the right product. We would like for labels to get more attention from consumers and for EPA or the FTC to commit funding to educate consumers about proper fuel usage."

According to most engine manufacturers, fuels containing greater than 10 percent ethanol can damage or destroy outdoor power equipment, including lawn mowers, chain saws, generators, utility vehicles and other small engine equipment such as motorcycle, snow mobile and boat engines. Fuels containing more than 10 percent may void product warranties. By federal law, it is illegal to use higher ethanol fuel blends, specifically E15, in outdoor power equipment.

Consumers and the media can get more information on fueling small engine equipment properly at www.LookBeforeYouPump.com.