Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

[robert123]

House Bill number 2455 up for voting in the curent Texas session will outlaw 2 stroke outboard engines. The bill porports to reduce oil pollution of water. The relevant section is:<br /><br />SECTION 2. Section 7.176(a), Water Code, is amended to read as follows: <br />(a) A person commits an offense if the person:<br />(1) intentionally discharges used oil into a sewer, drainage system, septic tank, surface water or groundwater, watercourse, or marine water unless the concentration of used oil in the waste stream resulting from the discharge as it enters water <br />in the state is less than 15 parts per million following the discharge;<br /><br />This will ban all water bourne 2-stroke engines. Look up your rep at State Representatives and call them.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

I'm not from Texas, but I do have one thing to say to that:<br /><br />That really sucks.

 

[John_S]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

Are you sure that they mean to ban all 2-cycle outboard engines? To me, they are talking about "used oil", such as from car oil changes, etc.

 

[robert123]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

I'm sure the intent is to stop people dumping oil in the watertable or bay. However, if you read it the way it is written it will ban outboards. If the oil coming out of an outboard exhaust is not used what is it? hardly new or fresh.

 

[tommays]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

it allready happened at a big lake out west and anyone with old 2 cycles was SOL <br /><br />so if it passes it wont be the first<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

I understand the need to be friendily to the environment in which we inhabit, those who are found guilty of being negligent in their disposal methods of waste and toxins, indeed they should to be lawfully prosecuted, outlawing two stroke outboard motors is absolutely not going to remedy the pollution problem, it is my understanding that the new E-Tec two strokes are as clean as the four strokes, if the talk is about phasing out the manufacturing of regular two strokes, thats another matter completely, but to discriminately outlaw all existing two stroke outboard motors! that in my view is asinine.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

Originally posted by robert123:<br /> ...If the oil coming out of an outboard exhaust is not used what is it?

In use.

 

[John_S]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

I agree, it needs to be written better, but given the exerpt, it doesn't seem to be targeting outboards. It doesn't even sound like a CARB EPA spec. I wouldn't know if my I/O passes that spec. Have you talked to any state rep yet and gotten their input?

 

[robert123]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

I've called my reps and they know nothing about it. They are supposed to be calling me back. I don't object to cleaning up the environment, I do however, object to having to shell out $40,000+ to replace my 2 200hp Yamahas with 4 strokes. Grandfather existing engines in, forbid new dirty outboards, fine. Don't just sit back and say they won't pass it. They will, they just banned BIC lighters on aircraft, how asinine is that? It takes less than two minutes to look up your rep (see first post) and call them. If you have any reservations at all then just call 'em.

 

[JB]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

Let's put this in Outboard Non-repair topics.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

As I understand it Artifical 2 stroke oil is biodegradeable.Seems it would get around the regulations.

 

[marinemech]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

i agree with elmer fudge however e-tecs are not as clean as 4 strokes they are CLEANER the bill in texas is probably talking about improper disposal of used oil<br />p.s. its been reported that improper disposal of used oil is equal to 20 exxon valdez per year i don't remember source epa? etc but i will look it up and report back

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

I think the word "Intentional" might weigh heavy. It's not MY fault that the motor doesn't burn all the oil. I was just running my boat. To quote Sgt. Schultz, "I know nothing ... see nothing."

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

What the FACTS? On Motorcycles.<br />Two stroke roadbikes? Not any longer...<br />Two stroke off road dirtbikes? Phasing out and new are 4 strokes<br />Jetskis going to 4 stroke<br />A lot of the new big outboards are 4 stroke<br /> My take is new 2 stroke clean burn technology exist, but might never be acceptable to the idiots that make laws. They do that "blanket law", and move on to the next stupid thing. They will not outlaw 2 strokes overnight though, they will go through attrition. Relax. That law is for dumping oil, and just covering all bases.<br /><br />You write "1) intentionally discharges used oil into a sewer, drainage system, septic tank, surface water or groundwater, watercourse, or marine water unless the concentration of used oil in the waste stream resulting from the discharge as it enters water in the state is less than 15 parts per million following the discharge;<br /> This makes sense, and has been a law in the Northwest for years. Unless you like to change you oil on the beach <br /><br />This will ban all water bourne 2-stroke engines. <br />This makes no sense, it isn't anywhere that I read in you post. Oil is burned, and introduced to the air, and thats a Federal law already

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

Originally posted by marinemech:<br /> improper disposal of used oil is equal to 20 exxon valdez per year

At LEAST! 4 quarts here, 4 quarts there. WHO AMOUNG US HAS NEVER (my Harleys over the years have done a boatload probably!) dumped even not a teaspoon on the soil that does not vaporize, evaporate, return to a Dinosuar. It seeps into the aquafier and destroys your water supply. I'm the farthest from some stupid tree hugger, but this is a different ballgame. Couple days without water and you die. And the stupid jerks down the road HAD an oil reclaim at the side of a small store, new owners came in, and had the state REMOVE it, because the state was going to hold THEM responsible for any problems. I talked with the owner (a wealthy, smart businssman, and he was disgusted with the state and the silly, stupid laws). So the lazy fools which at least left full milk jugs there at one time, are back 40'ing the crap, or in the garbage, so down the line it STILL seeps in. Want an idea that makes sense, but will never fly. Have the autoparts stores (all owned by big multi-nats anyway) give ya a quarter back on returned quart of oil in the plastic bottle (which also could be made reusable)and recycle it. But we are content to bury ourselves in garbage...look around any city.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

...look around any LAKE...

 

[rayjay]

Re: Bill to outlaw outboard engines in texas

Originally posted by CalicoKid:<br /> ...look around any LAKE...

You got that right. Disgusting. A paper towel blowing off a boat is one thing but the number of drink containers and other junk dumped in and around our lakes just boggles my mind.