Better labeling needed for E-15 fuel

My name is Chris Hansen and I'm the president of the DuKane Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois. A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois is a motorcycle rights group protecting the rights and freedoms of motorcyclists, off-roadersand ATV riders in Illinois.

I'm writing in response to the article in your paper May 21 from Angela Tin and John Walton regarding E-15 fuel.

It is against federal law for motorcycles to use any higher blend of fuel than 10% (E-10) and fuel blends higher than 10% can void the manufacturer's warranty on many motorcycles. Ethanol is a corrosive liquid and can damage parts not meant to come in contact with it, causing hoses and gaskets to swell, deteriorate and distort. Ethanol is also known to cause problems for older motorcycles fuel systems and complicates long term storage of your motorcycle. It also damages the engines of lawn mowers, boats and other small engines, too.

Also, there is the blended pump issue. E-15 pumps are not clearly labeled and when they are a blended pump, it can cause a motorcyclist to fuel up with up to four gallons of E-15 fuel when the rider thought they were fueling up with E-10.

We need to see E-15 fuel pumps separate from other fuels and we need to make sure that the public knows to keep this out of their motorcycles. They also need to keep their eyes out to be cautious of finding a blended pump while riding. E-15 fuel is not the answer for motorcyclists in Illinois.

Chris Hansen

Elburn