Oregon EAAers fighting ethanol law

[pierre smith]

This in from EAA today:

EAA Members Responding to New Oregon Ethanol Law
November 29, 2007 ? EAA members are responding to a newly passed law in the State of Oregon requiring ethanol additives in gasoline distributed in that state. Jerry Cochran (EAA 647801) alerted EAA in late October about the new mandate that all gasoline grades contain a 10 percent ethanol blend once state ethanol production reaches at least 40 million gallons. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2008.

EAA immediately alerted Oregon chapter leaders, the Oregon Pilots Association, and the Oregon Department of Aviation in a special Government e-Notice regarding the potential harmful flight safety effects the new law would have on thousands aircraft owners and operators.

As a result of EAA's e-Notice, EAA members Dave Martin (EAA 78011), Dennis Douglas (EAA 507922), and Bob Brown (EAA 599240) are now working on a plan with Dan Clem, director of the Oregon Department of Aviation, to minimize the impact this new law will have on aircraft owners. They are scheduled to make a presentation to the Oregon Department of Agriculture at a December 4 subcommittee meeting.

Among those who could be adversely affected include pilots transitioning through the state; those with an FAA-approved autofuel supplemental type certificate (STC); ultralight pilots; and experimental aircraft owners who require ethanol free autofuel.

EAA will report on the results of this meeting on the EAA website and e-Hotline next week.

Regards,

[Jerry Cochran]

Originally Posted by pierre smith

This in from EAA today:

EAA Members Responding to New Oregon Ethanol Law
November 29, 2007 ? EAA members are responding to a newly passed law in the State of Oregon requiring ethanol additives in gasoline distributed in that state. Jerry Cochran (EAA 647801) alerted EAA in late October about the new mandate that all gasoline grades contain a 10 percent ethanol blend once state ethanol production reaches at least 40 million gallons. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2008.

EAA immediately alerted Oregon chapter leaders, the Oregon Pilots Association, and the Oregon Department of Aviation in a special Government e-Notice regarding the potential harmful flight safety effects the new law would have on thousands aircraft owners and operators.

As a result of EAA's e-Notice, EAA members Dave Martin (EAA 78011), Dennis Douglas (EAA 507922), and Bob Brown (EAA 599240) are now working on a plan with Dan Clem, director of the Oregon Department of Aviation, to minimize the impact this new law will have on aircraft owners. They are scheduled to make a presentation to the Oregon Department of Agriculture at a December 4 subcommittee meeting.

Among those who could be adversely affected include pilots transitioning through the state; those with an FAA-approved autofuel supplemental type certificate (STC); ultralight pilots; and experimental aircraft owners who require ethanol free autofuel.

EAA will report on the results of this meeting on the EAA website and e-Hotline next week.

Regards,

Dave, Dennis, or Bob, or anyone...

Please post when/where this meeting of the OR Ag division is to be held. Other Oregon pilots need to know...

Thanks,
Jerry Cochran

[RScott]

TJ Reilly forwarded this reply he got from Rep. Dave Hunt:

From the Department of Energy:

We are aware of the Aviation fuel concerns. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is holding administrative rulemaking hearings on renewable fuels and House Bill 2210. The concern regarding aviation fuel is being addressed.

Agriculture has two subcommittees of their Advisory Group. The first is addressing the aviation fuel concern and the second the rate at which biofuels roll out across the state. The Aviation and small engine fuel group meeting is at 9:00 on December 4th at the Oregon Department of Agriculture offices in Salem. A meeting on the 5th at 9:00 will address the dates for statewide distribution of ethanol fuel. The next full Advisory Committee Meeting for House Bill 2210 Administrative Rules is scheduled for December 12th at 9:30 at Agriculture.

Below are some of the issues that Agriculture is addressing in the rulemaking through the Advisory Committee approach:

1. Exemption for aircraft using auto gas. We've had calls from multiple parties asking for an exemption as according to them some aircraft are specifically designed to use auto gas. Use of gasoline with 10% could cause the aircraft mechanical problems.
2. Requests have come in for exemption for marine use alleging damage to fuel tanks, fuel lines, engines, and absorption of water.
3. Possible exemption for small engines, snowmobiles and classic autos. (We need to determine if we have the ability to change a statue thru rule which we probably don't). If the answer is NO, as we think it is, direct the parties to the appropriate people to deal with their concerns. May have to be addressed in the Feb. legislative session.)
4. Issues with the certificate of analysis. Number of tests ODA can do on B100 at owners expense, short test versus full test, etc.
5. Contention with temporary rule and different compliance dates.
6. Push to make it a two region phase in instead of a three region phase in.
7. Harmonizing labeling requirements with requirements in place in Portland.
8. Enforcement for non-compliance of mandate. This is a start with what we see as issues based on questions we have had to this point.

For details of the rulemaking schedule, and draft rules go to:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/adminrules.shtml

The Dept. of Agriculture is at 635 Capitol St. NE. Phone is 503-986-4550. You might want to call them to confirm the meeting time & location, as things may change due to the big blow we are scheduled to get this week.

Richard Scott
RV-9A Fuselage
EAA Chapter 902

[RScott]

Here's an update of what I have learned about this:

The legislature is meeting in February, testing whether they want to meet each year rather than alternate years. Each branch will consider only 30 bills. I do not know yet whether they have made up their list of bills yet. If they have, we may be out of luck until February 2009!

Both the House and Senate are democratically controlled and republicans have little influence on determining which bills will be considered. Those of you who live in districts represented by key democrats have the most influence.

Letters get more attention that emails. Phone calls are even better.

The senate president is Democrat Peter Courtney, representing north Salem, up the I-5 corridor to Woodburn. Letters to him or phone calls to him from his constituents will have the most influence for the senate.

Senator Betsy Johnson (D) represents part of Washington County as well as all of Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook counties. She looks favorably on aviation interests. Those of you who live in her districts need to contact her on this--Many Chapter 105 members are in her district.

The speaker of the house is Jeff Merkley

[RScott]

Here's an update of what I have learned about this:

The legislature is meeting in February, testing whether they want to meet each year rather than alternate years. Each branch will consider only 30 bills. I do not know yet whether they have made up their lists of bills yet. If they have, we may be out of luck until February 2009!

Both the House and Senate are Democratically controlled and Republicans have little influence on determining which bills will be considered. Those of you who live in districts represented by key Democrats have the most influence through your letters and phone calls.

Letters get more attention than emails. Phone calls are even better.

The senate president is Democrat Peter Courtney, representing north Salem, up the I-5 corridor to Woodburn. Letters to him or phone calls to him from his constituents will have the most influence for the senate.

Senator Betsy Johnson (D) represents part of Washington County as well as all of Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook counties. She looks favorably on aviation interests. Those of you who live in her district need to contact her on this--Many Chapter 105 members are in her district.

The speaker of the house is Jeff Merkley (D) who represents the east side of Portland, east of I-205, mostly south of I-84, north of Division, almost to the Rockwood area. If you think you may be in his district, check http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/.

The AOPA is involved. I will contact their representative on Monday to ask him to guide us through the lobbying process and post what I find out here.

Richard Scott
RV-9A Fuselage