A bill that would require gas without ethanol to be available in Maine was heard before the transportation committee in Augusta Thursday.

At issue is the effects ethanol may have on smaller, gasoline powered motors.

Meghan Hayward reports.

Ethanol is a solvent, and when it sits inside, it starts to rust and corrode. There's rubber that will break down so the gas will destroy it. And with fiberglass gas tanks, it will eat right through them. So it destroys people's equipment."

"I also have a small boat and I worked really hard to keep ethanol out of my boat, but this past summer I had to use it. It's right on cue, really hard to deal with.

Since the Fall of 2008, virtually all gasoline sold in Maine has contained 10% ethanol, thanks to a federal law.

But many Mainers complained fuel with ethanol causes problems with engines.

As originally written, the bill would have required retail dealers and distributors of gasoline to also offer non-ethanol blended gas. It has since been amended.

"Because we can't get a source of non-ethanol. It's becoming smaller and smaller."

The bill's sponsor, Lisa Marrache of Waterville, is now working with a group of people, including representatives of irving, to make ethanol free fuel available at airports and marinas.

Jamie Py of Maine Energy and Marketers Association was opposed to the original bill, but favors the amended version.

"As an education piece, we do want people educated how to properly handle ethanol gasoline. The problem we had with the original bill, was that is was going to require all gas stations to carry a premium gasoline, which would have raised a whole bunch of cost."

Lou Fraser, general manager of Friend and Friend in Orono, says he's seen the effects of ethanol on motors.

"We've seen some this year, ATV's and snowmobiles. So it's winter and summer items."

Supporters of the bill say they'd like to see some businesses voluntarily offer a pump at their gas stations with ethanol free gasoline.

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