Most gasoline sold in the U.S. contains 10% ethanol (E10). Some ethanol lobbyists are seeking to boost that to 15% (E15), or to compromise with a boost to 12% (E12). The groups are contacting members of Congress and have posted their first ad and other material warning against higher levels of ethanol without adequate testing on FollowtheScience.org. The first ad will begin running Thursday in Politico and Roll Call (print and web) and continue in these publications and Congress Daily next week. More ads are expected to follow later.

Ethanol burns hotter than gasoline and corrodes soft metals, plastics and rubber. The groups collectively believe more testing is needed to determine how much ethanol is too much for different types of existing engines to use safely without risking engine failure that could leave a boat stranded at sea, a snowmobile stuck in subfreezing temperatures in a wilderness blizzard, or a motorcycle unable to move in the blazing heat of a desert.

“Some ethanol companies want consumers to pump first and ask questions later,” said National Petrochemical & Refiners Association President Charles T. Drevna. “Rather than run a giant science experiment on the vehicles and gasoline-powered equipment owned by just about every American family, we believe Congress and the EPA have a responsibility to protect the public. They shouldn’t authorize E15 unless full and complete scientific testing confirms it’s safe and compatible with all gasoline-powered engines.”

The sponsors of the ad are: Environmental Working Group; Natural Resources Defense Council; The Hispanic Institute; Engine Manufacturers Association; International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association; Motorcycle Industry Council; National Marine Manufacturers Association; Outdoor Power Equipment Institute; American Frozen Food Institute; American Meat Institute; Grocery Manufacturers Association; Snack Food Association; American Petroleum Institute; National Association of Truck Stop Operators; National Petrochemical & Refiners Association.

The ad is illustrated by four color photos of people next to stalled vehicles and equipment—a snowmobile, a car, a riding lawnmower and a boat—under the headline: “Don’t let the ethanol industry leave you stranded.”

“Congress shouldn’t rush to judgment based on politics,” the ad says. “It should wait for the completion of thorough and objective scientific tests and act to protect your safety and our environment.”

“Increasing hot-burning ethanol from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15) of gasoline could harm some engines,” the ad continues. “E15 has never been thoroughly tested to determine if it’s safe for engines in the cars, boats and outdoor power equipment used by millions of Americans every day.”

The groups also raise other concerns about increasing ethanol in gasoline. “As environmentalists and public health advocates, we’re concerned that more corn ethanol in our gasoline would lead to more dangerous pollutants coming out our tailpipes and ending up in our lungs, cause more forests to be cut down for planting, put fragile lands under the tractor and use up scarce water resources,” said Nathanael Greene, director of renewable energy policy for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“None of the 200 million pieces of outdoor power equipment in use today were designed, built or warranted to run on any fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol,” said Kris Kiser, executive vice president of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. “DOE testing of E15 on existing outdoor power equipment demonstrated increased heat, performance irregularities, unintentional clutch engagement and failure. It is imperative that all testing is complete on E15 before its introduction into the fuels marketplace to protect consumers’ safety and economic interests.”

The Department of Energy (DOE) is currently conducting limited testing of the ability of pollution control equipment in some cars to function with E15, and EPA may make a decision allowing E15 in late-model cars in September. However, the DOE tests do not cover critical areas including: engine durability; tolerance of the “check-engine” light; durability of other components, such as the fuel pump and the fuel level sensor; and the problem of fuel vapors leaking out of an idle car—parked with the engine off—sitting outside on a hot sunny day. Extensive testing in all of these areas where DOE is not conducting its own testing is well underway—with the knowledge of both EPA and DOE—by the privately funded Coordinating Research Council. However, those extensive scientific tests will not be completed for several years.

“Greensburg GreenTown is very excited to have the state of the art technology that the Hustler Zeon represents. Being America’s model green community, we are delighted to be able to showcase this high power, low impact way to maintain lawns. The machine is amazingly quiet, yet as powerful as its gas counterparts.”

Wallach continued, “We are very grateful to Excel Industries for supporting the rebuilding of Greensburg and our efforts to be a showcase for sustainable building and green living.”

“Teaming up with Greensburg GreenTown gave us the tremendous opportunity to showcase a great product while helping out a great cause,” added Andrew Braun, marketing manager for Excel.

Greensburg GreenTown is a charitable organization working to rebuild the town following the devastating May 2007 tornado. The town is reinventing itself as a model for sustainable building and green living and is now recognized around the world. GreenTown’s mission is to make green building and living easily understood, appealing, and accessible to all. GreenTown plans to maintain the Silo Eco-Home property with the Zeon, as well as several other lots that are sites for future eco-homes. Students from Kansas State University Department of Architecture designed many of the affordable and sustainable eco-homes.

The result of ground breaking innovation, the earth-friendly Hustler Zeon is the world’s first all-electric zero-turn mower. The Zeon features nearly zero maintenance with no belts, filters, fluids, pulleys or plugs and is very inexpensive to operate. The welded steel deck guarantees the outstanding quality Hustler is known for. One charge is good for up to 80 minutes of mowing time—enough to mow over one acre. Just plug in to recharge.

While the fire did not consume the workshop or paint department, it is believed to have begun in the finished goods and shipping department. The stock of finished products is a total loss. State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk has begun investigation into the cause of the blaze. There were 43 employees before the plant closed for the week-long vacation. The company has closed its joint venture in China and was moving all manufacturing back to Alabama.

This is the second fire to affect Carter Brothers. The plant was rebuilt after a fire in 2000. The decision to rebuild has not yet been made.

“Secrets of a Successful Hardscape Distributor” is intended for dealers as well as distributors—the term often used in the hardscape industry to refer to an enterprise that sells to end users, including landscape contractors and consumers. Dealers at GIE+EXPO can attend two tradeshows for the cost of one at the Kentucky Exposition Center this year.

Together, HNA, with products and materials exclusive to the hardscape industry, and GIE+EXPO, with the latest in outdoor power equipment and landscaping supplies, will offer 750 exhibits and 19 acres of outdoor demo space as well as GIE+EXPO’s New Products Arena, two free concerts and many educational options.

Dealers can take advantage of early-bird discounts by pre-registering by September 15 at www.HardscapeNA.com. The price includes the program on October 27, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., lunch and light refreshments throughout the day plus admission to the Hardscape North America and GIE+EXPO tradeshows October 28-30, outdoor and indoor demonstrations at HNA and the presentation of the 3rd Annual HNA Project Awards.

Members of Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, National Concrete Masonry Association or Brick Industry Association: $179 ($229 after September 15) Non-members: $229 ($279 after September 15). Additional details about the shows are available on www.gie-expo.com or www.HardscapeNA.com or by calling Sellers Expositions, 800-558-8767 or 812-949-9200.

The sand cleaner head thoroughly cleans sand of all types, removing tar balls, glass, stones, shells, coral, roots, seaweed, trash, cans, bottles, etc. It works on wet or dry sand and on fine or coarse sand. This unit is light and maneuverable, has a low center of gravity and will easily work in tight low impact areas that larger units cannot go. The hydraulic power steering and twist grip speed control make it easy to use and the quiet tone muffler allows it to be used while the public is present.

These units are versatile—after the beach cleanup these units can be used for other purposes. There are 80 different attachments available for the power head, from brush cutters, tillers and sweepers to mowers, snow brushes and blowers. Works great on level, steep slopes or swampy areas.

Joining in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were dealers, employees, vendors, Lake Zurich city officials and other special guests. The celebration took place in the new facility and was preceded by special remarks from Dan Obringer, president of Echo, and Suzanne Branding, mayor of Lake Zurich.

“We consolidated the distribution of Shindaiwa products for North America and Latin America in Lake Zurich last October, but we didn’t have sufficient space in our existing buildings,” Obringer said. “This expansion provides us with the warehouse space we need and allows us to gradually transfer manufacturing of Shindaiwa products from Japan to Lake Zurich so we can manufacture and test all Shindaiwa products here in the same manner as we do for Echo products.”

The warehouse expansion project started in October 2009 and was completed in June. The new warehouse features 12 exterior truck docks, 28-foot ceilings, an insulated roof, energy-efficient indoor motion sensor lighting and clerestory windows to help reduce electrical lighting during daylight hours.

Echo completed the construction of its first building—a 100,000 sq. ft. facility—in Lake Zurich in 1985. Since then, the company has steadily expanded in size, adding additional buildings in 1988, 1995 and 2000. With the completion of the new warehouse, the company’s campus now includes more than 540,000 square feet of office, manufacturing and warehouse facilities. With 700 employees, Echo is the largest employer in the city of Lake Zurich.

“Despite these challenging economic times, our company is growing in terms of products, people and sales.” Obringer said. “We are excited to be able to invest in our world-class facilities, our employees and new technologies in ways that add value for our customers.”

As a result of a lengthy investigation, EPA is alleging that the applications for the certificates contained false or incomplete information. EPA issued the certificates in 2006 and 2007 to the U.S. counterparts of four of China’s largest manufacturers of these types of vehicles: Hensim USA (City of Industry, Calif.), Loncin USA (Hayward, Calif.), Peace Industry Group (Norcross, Ga.), and Seaseng (Pomona, Calif.). The certificates were issued based on applications compiled by their consultant, MotorScience Enterprise. EPA believes MotorScience Enterprise intentionally submitted false or incomplete emissions information.

The Chinese manufacturers are Chongqing Hensim Group Co., Chongqing Longting Power Equipment Co., Zhejiang Peace Industry and Trade Co., and Zhejiang Chisheng Industry and Trading Co.

“Our new officers will lend their leadership during what’s expected to be a pivotal year for our industry,” said Kris Kiser, Executive Vice President at OPEI. “As a team on the OPEI Board of Directors, they will bring forward thinking to a variety of issues that our industry is tackling in the next 12 months from legislative and regulatory issues to market issues.”

“The international scope of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute will drive decision making to meet global business challenges,” said Mr. Whyte. “And, we look forward to meeting those challenges through responsible research, design and manufacturing processes that ultimately benefit our customers and the environment worldwide.”

Continuing their service on the board are: Immediate Past Chairman, Michael Hoffman, Chairman and CEO, The Toro Co.; Daniel Ariens, President, Ariens Co.; Steven Bly, Executive Vice President, Echo Inc.; Edward Cohen, Vice President- Government & Industry Relations, American Honda Motor Co. Inc.; Michael Jones, President, Husqvarna Professional Products; John May, Senior Vice President, AT&T Global Platform, Turf & Ag Division, John Deere Co.; Gary Michel, President and CEO, Club Car Inc.; Paul Mullet, President, Excel Industries; Todd Teske, President and CEO, Briggs & Stratton Corp.; and Dan Wilkinson, President. Jacobsen, A Textron Co.

The giveaway is sponsored by Power Equipment Trade and Turf magazines.

Pre-registration for a three-day pass to GIE+EXPO is $10 per person. The tradeshow admission for those who wait to register onsite will be $50.  To pre-register online for educational workshops and the tradeshow and to reserve hotel rooms, go to www.gie-expo.com. To request a registration brochure, call 800-558-8767 or 812-949-9200.