The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed a lawsuit which challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to grant a partial waiver for 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. The court found that the groups bringing the lawsuit, which included trade associations representing manufacturers of cars, boats and power equipment, along with the petroleum and food industries, lacked standing to bring the lawsuit. 

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. In light of the Court’s decision, SEMA is turning to the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to ban the sale of E15.

“Today’s decision is disappointing for the millions of motorists who own older cars or those with high-performance specialty parts,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA’s vice president, government affairs. “These vehicles and parts are threatened with destruction by E15’s chemical properties. The EPA acknowledged the threat but, beyond minimal labeling requirements, took no additional steps to ensure that incompatible vehicles and engines were not misfueled with E15.”

SEMA is seeking passage of federal legislation (HR 3199) that would prevent the EPA from introducing E15 into the marketplace until the National Academies has conducted a study on how gasoline blended with 15% to 20% ethanol may impact gas-powered vehicles. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe emissions, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The bill has been approved by the U.S. House Science Committee and is pending on the House floor.

SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for these vehicles and, through its SEMA Action Network (SAN), millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these automobiles. 

Contact: Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org or 202-783-6007, ext. 30.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed a lawsuit which challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to grant a partial waiver for 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. The court found that the groups bringing the lawsuit, which included trade associations representing manufacturers of cars, boats and power equipment, along with the petroleum and food industries, lacked standing to bring the lawsuit. 

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. In light of the Court’s decision, SEMA is turning to the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to ban the sale of E15.

“Today’s decision is disappointing for the millions of motorists who own older cars or those with high-performance specialty parts,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA’s vice president, government affairs. “These vehicles and parts are threatened with destruction by E15’s chemical properties. The EPA acknowledged the threat but, beyond minimal labeling requirements, took no additional steps to ensure that incompatible vehicles and engines were not misfueled with E15.”

SEMA is seeking passage of federal legislation (HR 3199) that would prevent the EPA from introducing E15 into the marketplace until the National Academies has conducted a study on how gasoline blended with 15% to 20% ethanol may impact gas-powered vehicles. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe emissions, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The bill has been approved by the U.S. House Science Committee and is pending on the House floor.

SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for these vehicles and, through its SEMA Action Network (SAN), millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these automobiles. 

Contact: Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org or 202-783-6007, ext. 30.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed a lawsuit which challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to grant a partial waiver for 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. The court found that the groups bringing the lawsuit, which included trade associations representing manufacturers of cars, boats and power equipment, along with the petroleum and food industries, lacked standing to bring the lawsuit. 

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. In light of the Court’s decision, SEMA is turning to the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to ban the sale of E15.

“Today’s decision is disappointing for the millions of motorists who own older cars or those with high-performance specialty parts,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA’s vice president, government affairs. “These vehicles and parts are threatened with destruction by E15’s chemical properties. The EPA acknowledged the threat but, beyond minimal labeling requirements, took no additional steps to ensure that incompatible vehicles and engines were not misfueled with E15.”

SEMA is seeking passage of federal legislation (HR 3199) that would prevent the EPA from introducing E15 into the marketplace until the National Academies has conducted a study on how gasoline blended with 15% to 20% ethanol may impact gas-powered vehicles. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe emissions, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The bill has been approved by the U.S. House Science Committee and is pending on the House floor.

SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for these vehicles and, through its SEMA Action Network (SAN), millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these automobiles. 

Contact: Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org or 202-783-6007, ext. 30.

SEMA has joined with the Association of California Car Clubs and other state enthusiast groups to support legislation that would establish the California Legacy License Plate Program. Under the bill, the DMV would create and issue a series of specialized license plates that replicate plates from the state's past. Currently, classic car owners can only revive well-maintained old plates that match the vintage of their vehicle. Senate amendments to the bill were just approved by the Assembly in a unanimous vote and the bill now moves to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA has joined with the Association of California Car Clubs and other state enthusiast groups to support legislation that would establish the California Legacy License Plate Program. Under the bill, the DMV would create and issue a series of specialized license plates that replicate plates from the state's past. Currently, classic car owners can only revive well-maintained old plates that match the vintage of their vehicle. Senate amendments to the bill were just approved by the Assembly in a unanimous vote and the bill now moves to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA has joined with the Association of California Car Clubs and other state enthusiast groups to support legislation that would establish the California Legacy License Plate Program. Under the bill, the DMV would create and issue a series of specialized license plates that replicate plates from the state's past. Currently, classic car owners can only revive well-maintained old plates that match the vintage of their vehicle. Senate amendments to the bill were just approved by the Assembly in a unanimous vote and the bill now moves to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

This year’s election is the most important in recent memory. The current political landscape holds an uncertain future for members of both parties, as control of the House of Representatives, Senate and White House are in the balance. On November 6, voters will head to the polls to elect the president of the United States, 435 members of the U.S. House, 31 U.S. senators, 12 governors and thousands of state and local leaders.

As the balance of power in Washington is in doubt, decisions made on Election Day will directly impact our communities and our industry. Although Election Day falls the week after this year’s SEMA Show, don’t let your voter registration slip through the cracks during your Show preparations.

If you have not registered to vote in your state, now is the time to do it. SEMA has compiled a complete list of voter registration and absentee ballot application forms for all 50 states. Find your state and information needed to register today!

With so much at stake for our industry, the SEMA Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) encourages you to exercise your civic duty and vote. For more information, contact PAC Administrator Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org or 202-783-6007, ext. 19.

This year’s election is the most important in recent memory. The current political landscape holds an uncertain future for members of both parties, as control of the House of Representatives, Senate and White House are in the balance. On November 6, voters will head to the polls to elect the president of the United States, 435 members of the U.S. House, 31 U.S. senators, 12 governors and thousands of state and local leaders.

As the balance of power in Washington is in doubt, decisions made on Election Day will directly impact our communities and our industry. Although Election Day falls the week after this year’s SEMA Show, don’t let your voter registration slip through the cracks during your Show preparations.

If you have not registered to vote in your state, now is the time to do it. SEMA has compiled a complete list of voter registration and absentee ballot application forms for all 50 states. Find your state and information needed to register today!

With so much at stake for our industry, the SEMA Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) encourages you to exercise your civic duty and vote. For more information, contact PAC Administrator Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org or 202-783-6007, ext. 19.

This year’s election is the most important in recent memory. The current political landscape holds an uncertain future for members of both parties, as control of the House of Representatives, Senate and White House are in the balance. On November 6, voters will head to the polls to elect the president of the United States, 435 members of the U.S. House, 31 U.S. senators, 12 governors and thousands of state and local leaders.

As the balance of power in Washington is in doubt, decisions made on Election Day will directly impact our communities and our industry. Although Election Day falls the week after this year’s SEMA Show, don’t let your voter registration slip through the cracks during your Show preparations.

If you have not registered to vote in your state, now is the time to do it. SEMA has compiled a complete list of voter registration and absentee ballot application forms for all 50 states. Find your state and information needed to register today!

With so much at stake for our industry, the SEMA Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) encourages you to exercise your civic duty and vote. For more information, contact PAC Administrator Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org or 202-783-6007, ext. 19.