Posted on 05/08/2009 7:49:44 AM PDT by reaganaut1
THE Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to make an important and far-reaching decision this year that will affect more than 500 million gasoline engines powering everything from large pickups to family cars to lawn mowers: whether to grant the ethanol industry’s request to raise the maximum amount of ethanol that can be added to gasoline.
...
Specifically, ethanol producers are asking that the maximum ethanol content in the most common blend of gasoline be increased from 10 percent — a limit set about three decades ago — to as much as 15 percent. The blend the industry hopes will become common is known as E15, but the E.P.A. could approve a blend between E10 and E15.
...
54 ethanol manufacturers asked the [EPA] for a waiver of the Clean Air Act so that more ethanol could be added to gasoline.
...
The ethanol manufacturers contend that the increase is necessary because of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. That act includes a renewable fuels standard that requires a steady increase in the use of biofuels in the United States — to 36 billion gallons in 2022 from 11 billion gallons this year. To meet the goals, refiners must add biofuels to gasoline.
The industry has been meeting the requirements. In 2007 , it was required to use 4.7 billion gallons of ethanol and it actually used 6.85 billion, according to the petroleum institute. Last year, when the requirement was 9 billion gallons, the industry used 9.6 billion.
But Americans are now buying far less gasoline than was expected when the law passed. That decline has the industry worried that as early as 2011 or 2012 it will be impossible to meet the renewable fuels standard with a 10 percent limit, Mr. Greco said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
The article says ethanol quotas may not be met in the future because people are driving less. If that is the problem, reduce the quotas or set them as fractions of overall consumption. Better yet, eliminate them.
If this gunks up car engines as badly as fuel blending has ruined many boat engines- then obama has solved the problem of getting people to buy Chrysler’s new obamobiles
Ethanol costs taxpayers money to produce (above its retail price).
Ethanol creates more emissions than gasoline.
Ethanol is harmful to gasoline engines.
Ethanol produces lower fuel economy than gasoline.
So, the ethanol industry wants the taxpayers to subsize a product that is more harmful to the environment, more harmful to our automobiles and delivers lower fuel economy.
STOP THE INSANITY!
Ethanol reduces the mileage per gallon so increasing the contamination level with this crap without dropping the price makes no sense.
More ethanol, worse car gas mileage, hey why not raise the price by increasing gallon demand by lowering the mileage.
Whats worse is the Corn Lobby has commercials daily telling us how cool ethanol is. Well tell the truth. We pay good money to keep you in business and you stuff ain’t that good.
As I remember, more then 10% ethanol can cause problems with older fuel systems.
My current truck has a flex-fuel engine that will run on E85 or higher. My next truch will be a diesel. I’m not letting the Gov keep me home.
Yahbut this isn't a free country anymore.
Too many did too little for too long, and now you get to enjoy the result. America -- a great idea, didn't last.
Next time you have your car serviced, have the shop run an alcohol content test on the contents of the fuel line just prior to the injectors.
2 weeks ago, mine was 14% and I buy only “brand” (Shell, Phillips) fuel.
Hmmm, time to open a business that specializes in rebuilding engines......
Yep, but Opossum is going to give vouchers to those who trade these “clunkers” in on his new car from Chrysler, the Folks’ Wagon!
I know that tractor engines can run on low-octane gas, but how does having the octane bump from ethanol hurt? I recall stories about running AvGas in car engines and related reduction in valve life - something like that? I always figured it was due to some design difference (sodium-filled aircraft exhaust valves, or something similar).
You'd have to re-jet the carburetor to richen the mixture a bit (the higher the ethanol percentage, the more this would be needed). I think fuel system parts (carb gaskets, floats, fuel line, fuel pump) would be the biggest concern. Companies that make restoration parts for antique and classic cars are already using new materials for the fuel system parts - to do otherwise is increasing the risk of a fuel leak and fire.
The higher they push the ethanol content, the worse it is for old 2-stroke engines as well (which they want killed off, naturally).
Yup, folks who really are average intelligence (at best) are going to regulate energy policy.
I wish that all those who really want this would also have to accept brain surgery from these same flakes.
correct...this from wayyy back in 2001:
“Conserve Gas: Scrap the Ethanol Program”
http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=3578
from the article...”After all, if ethanol were less expensive, would we need a state law mandating it?”
Didn’t they try this back in the 1980s only to have peoples’ engines crap out?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.