Biden to announce authorization of E15 gasoline in an effort to increase US fuel supply, reduce gas prices

fox business ^ | 04/12/2022

[devane617]

President Biden on Tuesday is set to announce that the Environmental Protection Agency will allow E15 gasoline—gasoline that uses a 15% ethanol blend—to be sold in the United States this summer in an effort to expand Americans’ access to affordable fuel supply amid the surge in gas prices across the nation.

The EPA is set to issue a national, emergency waiver. Without the action, the White House said E15 cannot be used in most of the country from June 1 to September 15. The EPA is expected to take final action to issue the emergency waiver closer to June 1.

[Charles Martel]

IIRC, ethanol-free gasoline is not available in some areas due to high population numbers. For example: In the Dallas area, the closest pumps are up north near Denton or way over to the east near Tyler. Gotta get out of the "population bubble". Also, the REC90 pure gasoline (regular grade) is priced higher than premium unleaded. I still buy it for the boat and lawn equipment, but I wish it were only a 10% price increase over E10.

The E15 stuff has been at many locations in the Dallas area for almost three years now. As I recall, the pumps have signs that specify a certain year model of vehicle or newer. It's a few pennies cheaper, but just like E85, I'd use it only as a last option.

[ChildOfThe60s]

I can attest to this much. My motorcycle mileage is an honest 10% less on winter formulation than summer. I consistently get the mid 50s in the summer then it drops to about 50 for the entire winter. And I can tell when the gas changes because it jumps back up right on schedule.

[ChildOfThe60s]

I do know that the land upon which it is grown is quite capable of growing corn for human consumption.

[Openurmind]

You are only sharing half the true picture, you have completely omitted the difference in compression ratios between back then and now. At current compression ratios a “naturally aspirated” engine cannot run over 10% without mechanically raising the compression ratio. Turbocharged or supercharged engines at current compression ratios you might be able to “get away with”, but not naturally aspirated engines. Current ratios are commonly 7.5 to 1. We would have to bring ratios up to 10 to 1 or 12 to 1 to run a higher alcohol content than 10% without turbo or supercharging. Alcohol race engines can be 14 to 1 compression + supercharger boost.

[butlerweave]

Wasting food when the World is floating on Oil

[RKRider]

Which is all part of the demonuts’ plan to get rid of internal combustion engines.

[The Great RJ]

Some years ago the State of South Dakota, a major corn producing state, converted its fleet cars to flex fuel vehicles and mandated state agencies use E85, an 85% ethanol 15% gasoline blend. Despite that E85 is heavily subsidized and at the time was 20-30 cents cheaper per gallon than gasoline, the state discontinued the use of E85 as the mileage using E85 was so poor it cost significantly more per mile than regular or 10% ethanol gasolines. This did not include the additional cost of buying the flex fueled vehicles.

[monkeyshine]

I think they use a different strain of corn for this process (I could be mistaken) but either way it’s the same effect. If growing that breed of corn for fuel is more profitable farmers will stop growing food and start growing fuel.

[Myrddin]

I use only ethanol free in my vehicles. F150 trucks, motorcycles. It is a bit more expensive, but my F150 CrewCab (2015) with EcoBoost engine has delivered 32 MPG under ideal conditions. That drops to 19 MPG at 80 MPH against a headwind on I-15.

As a write this, there is fresh snow on the ground. Near whiteout along some of the local freeways from blowing snow. Temperatures will be back in the teens this week. Ethanol attracts water into gas. Higher ethanol percentage attracts more. An iced fuel line doesn't work well. An iced fuel pump may be destroyed.

[GOPJ]

The key to understanding liberals is to know they’re bullies.

They want to take away your freedom to choose and replace it with ideas and products forced on you.

Even down to what type of gasoline you buy, what your kids are taught in school, who you can rent to and how much your car will cost.

[Vaduz]

Corn price are going up his idea ends up in the futile file.

[Paradox]

E15 is already available at a couple of RaceTrack gas stations near me. Its only 5 cents per gallon cheaper.
Also, I have not done the math, but more ethanol means less MPG, so it might all be for nothing at this point. I have tried is several times. I cant tell the difference.

[I got the rope]

This will trash all the cars and small engines

[rdcbn1]

I understand everything you are saying and even agree. Regardless, the net effect will be significantly increased use of corn derived ethanol in motor fuels for the foreseeable future. This at time when there are threats of a looming world wide food shortage and increasingly severe inflation. More corn burned for ethanol means less corn available for people to eat or for feed for livestock which is inflationary. Higher demand for ethanol for fuel will also be inflationary and rise price of corn. Biden careens from one bad policy disaster to another. Declare total war on the oil industry and drive petroleum prices to the moon. This was already driving inflation and jeopardizing food production due to price hikes and supply limits on oil based fertilizers when it gave Putin huge leverage to invade Ukraine. Now we are seeing the negative effects of that policy in Russia using energy production and fertilizer as a weapon . Add in the potential loss of Ukrainian and Russian food exports due to war and we have multiple, serious Biden manufactured crisis on the near term horizon and Biden keeps manufacturing more crisis in ill considered and counterproductive efforts to mitigate the effects of the disasters he has already created. All of this is overlaid on the world wide structural problems and economic dislocations created by the 3 year covid mismanagement disaster and an already looming food shortage due record crop disruptions and crappy weather world wide. Add in a nuclear armed Russia having a tough military day at war in Ukraine, some really weird chit going down with expanding lock downs Shanghai, the financial and shipping (read supply chain) hub of the Chinese economy , and the fact that we have panicked Democrats trying to save their positions in an election year at all costs so nothing rational or productive will get done and we are facing a perfect storm for a disastrous 2023. All due to Team Biden

[libertylover]

Biden desperate to get the gas prices down and hopefully, only environmental wackos will use the stuff. Let them ruin their engines.

[Paradox]

At current compression ratios a “naturally aspirated” engine cannot run over 10% without mechanically raising the compression ratio.

So how are these cars currently using E15 and driving around normally?

[spincaster]

Ethanol destroys your motor, exactly want they want to happen.

[carcraft]

I hate auto correct! Cattle feed!

[Openurmind]

Let it sit for a couple months unused and it will barely run let alone efficiently.

[Mr. Lucky]

Thanks (I shoulda figured that out).