The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a new rule that would allow gasoline with higher ethanol blends to be sold year-round in eight Midwestern states starting in 2024. This is a significant win for the biofuels industry, which has long advocated for sales of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol during the summer months. Currently, such sales are prohibited due to concerns about increased smog during hot weather.
The proposal was requested by governors in the eight states and has been welcomed by industry groups and members of Congress. However, there are questions about why the new rules could not be implemented sooner.
The proposed rule would allow for the sale of higher ethanol blends in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, during the summer months. Most gasoline sold in the U.S. is currently blended with 10% ethanol, which is allowed year-round.
This issue is particularly important in the Midwest, where the majority of the nation’s corn is grown and almost 40% of that crop is used to produce ethanol. As the demand for ethanol increases, so should the demand and price for corn paid to farmers.
While industry groups such as the American Coalition for Ethanol have welcomed the EPA’s proposal, they have criticized the agency for delaying action until 2024, accusing it of being influenced by the petroleum industry.
##RVT1094b
E10 reduces fuel economy by 3% to 4%.
E15 reduces fuel economy by 4% to 5%.
E85 by 25%.
Picture an America in some parallel universe: The oil industry announces that it is mixing 10% or more of Ethanol into the gasoline supply. Immediately, America’s already most hated industry is attacked from all quarters for attempting to literally water down American’s fuel to rip off consumers. Ralph Nader would be filing class action lawsuits on behalf of consumers for the losses of reduced fuel economy and damage to engines, and Al Gore would go on a rampage about the increased net carbon footprint and other environmental damage because of the resource intensive nature of producing Ethanol. There’d be food riots in the 3rd world, because of the diversion of food crops to produce Ethanol, and vast amounts of rain forest would be cut down for crop land needed to make up the difference.
Instead, our government demanding this.
👍 If no crisis exists, let’s create one. Make us feel important by helping solve a problem we created, on purpose, so we could then feel important solving a problem that we created so we could then feel important solving a problem we created so we could then feel import solving a problem we created so we could then …..
Well Said!!
Thanks for the stats, John. For those interested, here is some info from the U.S. Dept. of Energy on using ethanol: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ethanol.shtml Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Reading the article I couldn’t wait to get to the comments section and opine. However, JRA said it all, well done!
So true!
If the engine is not flex-fuel compatible, it is not designed for 15% ethanol concentration. Running greater mixes of ethanol leads to fuel system issues as the components are not designed to operate with such corrosive fuels.
Also, why do “we” continue to want to convert our food supply to fuel?
And you really think going to a 10% ethanol fuel mixture will let the major refineries lower the cost. He double LL NO. Getting 10-15 percent lower fuel mileage, more summertime smog and no difference in cost. Who makes out? The shareholders….The CEO’s
Living in the northwest, I burn more gallons of fuel oil to heat my house then gas I buy. Bet my furnace isn’t as effective as my car either.
A good ethanol burner for the home should be easy to make, and stop ruining engines that wasn’t made to run on that stuff.
Are the tractors harvesting this corn running on ethanol?
No, all modern tractors are diesel and have been for many years. But they can, most if not all ,run on Biodiesel which is made from soybeans.
Maybe I’m missing something but, if they are selling it now in the winter, why would it make that much difference to folks if it’s sold year round? It’s still only vehicles made for E85 that would be able to use it. There wasn’t any mention of 10% being replaced. Personally, I avoid any mixture. I have an older vehicle that needs premium – real premium – and I live in an area where it’s available. But if folks have been buying and using 10% with 15% available in the winter, is it really that big a deal that the 15% will be available in the summer also?
It’s ALL regular fueled cars. Not just those made for E85. If you run gas in your RV you’re going to be burning 15% ethanol.
The newer cars can run on 15 percent alcohol, but your gasoline milage will be less. It’s no good for power equipment like Bob p says. It’s funny the environmental nuts are not complaining. I’m sure Rewiring America will figure some way to help it generate more money for their green new deal.
Sellout. No currently owned engine is rated for higher than 10% mixture. Every engine runs better on non-ethanol gas. Bought off politicians.
Yep
They’re going to have many class action law suits when peoples power equipment (mowers, weed eaters, etc. along with motorcycles engines are destroyed) only vehicles designed to run on E85 can tolerate blends above 10%.
The big one is outboard motors they’re rated for no more than 10 percent and if you use 15 percent you will destroy your motor. Since most of the boats are trailered and fuel up at regular gas stations as a boat owner you better read what the gas has in it before you fill up.
Same for most all small engines including generators. Ever seen the inside of a fuel line that’s been eaten up by ethanol? I did on an older toy hauler. It’s basically dissolves the rubber. That’s what happens inside a carburetor.
Exactly, where I live we have pumps at many stations that are designated no ethanol gasoline, and our marina sells only ethanol free fuel also. And Bob p you are so right about small engines, ethanol gums up cylinders and carbs.