[upchuck]

Because ethanol is a solvent, it will strip corrosion and impurities that build up inside gasoline storage tanks, allowing them to mingle with gasoline supplies.

That means terminal operators must drain giant tanks that hold gasoline stocks and scrub out the impurities before they can be refilled with ethanol-enriched gasoline, he said.

Expanding a little on this, what about the, "corrosion and impurities that build up inside gasoline storage tanks, allowing them to mingle with gasoline supplies" in the big tank at my gasoline retailer? And, on a personal level, what about the gas tank in my car?

Are we doomed? </30% sarcasm>

[Namyak]

I don't feel I'm knowledgeable about the topic to comment fully, but in my own anecdotal experience with ethanol, those people with older cars will likely experience problems if you live in an area that didn't have ethanol added to its gasoline until now, and people with high-performance vehicles may need to get their spark-timing adjusted slightly. But like I said, I'm not an expert, so if someone who knows more could edify us that would be greatly appreciated.