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The Inconvenient Truth About Ethanol

1067 messages,  Last post on May 04, 2013 at 2:12 PM

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Messages Page 106 of 108

#1044 of 1067 less mpg and more $ per gallon for your 01-06 car by elias

Jan 30, 2011 (7:01 pm)

EPA Grants E15 Fuel Waiver for Model Years 2001 - 2006 Cars and Light Trucks/Agency continues review of public comments for an E15 pump label to help ensure consumers use the correct fuel
 
Release date: 01/21/2011
 
Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn milbourn.cathyepa.gov 202-564-7849 202-564-4355
 
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a limitation on selling gasoline that contains more than 10 percent ethanol for model year (MY) 2001 through 2006 passenger vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and light pickup trucks. The waiver applies to fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol – known as E15. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson made the decision after a review of the Department of Energy’s thorough testing and other available data on E15’s effect on emissions from MY 2001 through 2006 cars and light trucks.
 
“Recently completed testing and data analysis show that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Wherever sound science and the law support steps to allow more home-grown fuels in America’s vehicles, this administration takes those steps.”
 
On October 13, 2010, EPA approved a waiver allowing the use of E15 for MY 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. At that time, EPA denied a request to allow the use of E15 for MY 2000 and older vehicles and postponed its decision on the use of E15 in MY 2001 to 2006 cars and light trucks until DOE completed additional testing for those model years.
 
The Agency also announced that no waiver is being granted this year for E15 use in any motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, or non-road engines because current testing data does not support such a waiver.
 
These waivers represent one of a number of actions that are needed from federal, state and industry to commercialize E15 gasoline blends. Also, EPA is developing requirements to ensure that E15 is properly labeled at the gas pump. The label will be designed to prevent refueling into vehicles, engines, and equipment not currently approved for the higher ethanol blend.
 
Ethanol is an alcohol that can be mixed with gasoline to result in a cleaner-burning fuel. E15 is a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. The primary source of ethanol is corn, but other grains or biomass sources may be used such as corn cobs, cornstalks, and switchgrass.
 
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated an increase in the overall volume of renewable fuels into the marketplace, reaching a 36 billion gallon total in 2022. Ethanol is considered a renewable fuel because it is produced from plant products or wastes and not from fossil fuels. Ethanol is blended with gasoline for use in most areas across the country.
 
EPA granted the waiver after considering the E15 petition submitted by Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers in March 2009. In April 2009, EPA sought public comment on the petition and received about 78,000 comments.
 
The petition was submitted under a Clean Air Act provision that allows EPA to waive the act’s prohibition against the sale of a significantly altered fuel if the petitioner shows that the new fuel will not cause or contribute to the failure of engine and other emission-related parts that ensure compliance with emission standards.

#1045 of 1067 More wasted tax dollars on Ethanol subsidies by gagrice

Feb 08, 2011 (1:54 pm)

Heavily subsidized Georgia ethanol plant closes

12:26 pm February 8, 2011, by Kyle Wingfield
 
A Georgia biofuels company has drawn the attention of noted corporate-welfare critic Timothy Carney in the Washington Examiner:
 
    To turn wood chips into ethanol fuel, George W. Bush’s Department of Energy in February 2007 announced a $76 million grant to Range Fuels for a cutting-edge refinery. A few months later, the refinery opened in the piney woods of Treutlen County, Ga., as the taxpayers of Georgia piled on another $6 million. In 2008, the ethanol plant was the first beneficiary of the Biorefinery Assistance Program, pocketing a loan for $80 million guaranteed by the U.S. taxpayers.
 
    Last month, the refinery closed down, having failed to squeeze even a drop of ethanol out of its pine chips.
 
    The Soperton, Ga., ethanol plant is another blemish on ethanol’s already tarnished image, but more broadly, it is cautionary tale about the elusive nature of “green jobs” and the folly of the government’s efforts at “investing” — as President Obama puts it — in new technologies.
 
$162 million down the toilet on biomass ethanol

#1046 of 1067 Re: More wasted tax dollars on Ethanol subsidies [gagrice] by texases

Feb 08, 2011 (2:07 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Feb 08, 2011 1:54 pm)
Ugh, but I'm not surprised.
 
I hope folks are patient for 'algae ethanol'. And I'm still waiting on all the 'cellulosic ethanol'...

#1048 of 1067 Uh Oh! by newdavidq

Oct 04, 2012 (6:14 am)

#1049 of 1067 Uh Oh! by newdavidq

Oct 04, 2012 (6:20 am)

Six gas stations in and around Kansas are now offering E15 (15% ethanol 85% gasoline). This is a 50% increase in the amount of ethanol added to gasoline. This forum has aired a lot of opinion and information in the past; I think its time to reactivate it and take another hard look at this development and why this is a very bad thing for American motorists.

#1050 of 1067 Re: Uh Oh! [newdavidq] by gagrice

Oct 04, 2012 (6:37 am)

Replying to: newdavidq (Oct 04, 2012 6:20 am)
I would be curious as to the mileage difference in a FFV. I would NOT run that stuff in a vehicle not rated as FFV. I can tell a big difference in my Sequoia on the highway, when I run RUG with no ethanol vs the crap we get here in CA. If it costs 15% less it is probably a wash. I still contend ethanol is a net negative on the environment using Corn. The farm subsidies are just too much for the big ag companies to ignore. Corporate welfare to the max.

#1051 of 1067 Re: Uh Oh! [gagrice] by fezo

Oct 04, 2012 (6:40 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Oct 04, 2012 6:37 am)
Ah! You're up early!
 
As always completely agree on corn ethanol. Only there because Iowa is a perpetual swing state.

#1052 of 1067 Re: Uh Oh! [fezo] by gagrice

Oct 04, 2012 (6:57 am)

Replying to: fezo (Oct 04, 2012 6:40 am)
good point. I think I read over 90% of the land in Iowa is farmed. Mostly corn. Both parties protect those stinking farm subsidies for their rich constituents.
 
PS
I am always up at 5 AM old habits are tough to break.

#1053 of 1067 Time to cut the EPA off at the knees. by gagrice

Nov 17, 2012 (9:32 pm)

EPA OWNED BY SPECIAL INTERESTS like ADM...Screw the Consumers...
 
EPA rejects bid to relax ethanol mandate
2012 drought prompted request over corn fuel use
 
Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday rejected a request from eight governors and nearly 200 members of Congress to waive requirements for the use of corn-based ethanol in gasoline, after last summer's severe drought wilted much of the nation's corn crop.
 
The move is a victory for corn farmers who have seen corn prices jump 400 percent in recent years. But it is a loss for pork and beef producers who say the diversion of corn to ethanol raises feed prices and ultimately prices at the supermarket.
 
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121117/AUTO01/211170359/EPA-rejects-bid-to-- - relax-ethanol-mandate
 
PS
Wanted a pound of bacon the other day, $7 a pound. I can live without it.

Messages Page 106 of 108

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