Ethanol loses friends and influence as reform movement grows

CNBC ^ | 29 Dec 2013 | Javier E. David

[thackney]

Ethanol requirements for U.S. gasoline appear to be losing friends and influencing the wrong people, with calls growing to reform or scrap the government mandates altogether.

The Environmental Protection Agency in November proposed reducing the amount of renewable fuels, including corn-based ethanol, that oil refiners must blend with gasoline. The rule is a centerpiece of government efforts to curb carbon emissions, while jump-starting alternative forms of energy.

[niteowl77]

I'm an Iowan with friends and relatives who are vested in ethanol, but who is very unhappy with the recent ethanol mandate that essentially forces me to buy ethanol-blended gasoline. I commute to work, and my formerly-fuel efficient car has seen its gas mileage go to hell. Winter-blend straight unleaded gasoline was bad enough, but with ethanol in the mix, the drop in MPG is alarming. If the greenies, state-owned vehicle users and ethanol-subsidy families wish to use ethanol blends, that's great, but I'd prefer to opt out.

I wish I actually had some freedom of choice - that I could actually use - once in awhile.

Mr. niteowl77

[Pecos]

Just because the creation and use of biofuels actually causes more so-called greenhouse gases” than does ordinary petroleum-based fuels, and just because diverting the land from the production of food that starving milliions in the third world need to survive, and just because growing biofuels depletes the land of nutrients (or cuases additional use of fertilizers hazardous to our water supply) is no reason for the EPA to stop mandating is use. After all, it makes them feel better. So there. /sarc/

[Repeal The 17th]

"...strip ethanol completely from the Renewable Fuel Standard..."
-
I sure would appreciate it!

[artichokegrower]

Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) — Corn headed for the biggest annual drop since at least 1960 and wheat tumbled the most in five years as grain production climbs to records worldwide and outpaces demand for food, livestock feed and use in biofuels.

[cashless]

I will be amazed if the government refuses to quit burning food for energy. They dare not try sugar cane or switch grass. No. No. No. Why should logic get I the way of a well placed, vote buying subsidy program. Call me skeptical and sarcastic.

[EternalVigilance]

I’m running for Iowa governor in 2014, and I agree with you about the RFS mandate.

http://www.tomhoefling.com/8/post/2013/12/iowa-republican-gubernatorial-candidate-tom-hoefling-i-oppose-the-ethanol-mandate.html

[headstamp 2]

“The rule is a centerpiece of government efforts to curb carbon emissions, while jump-starting CAMPAIGN DONORS.”

Fixed it.

[McGruff]

Iowa = ethanol = first primary state. Follow the =.

[headstamp 2]

“This measure would strand billions of dollars already invested in advanced fuels; undermine research and development; and threaten thousands of potential jobs,” the group said. “

When you get in bed with government, don’t be surprised if you wake up with fleas and on the floor.

[CaptainAmiigaf]

Why is the fact of millions of dollars of critical damage done to small engines from everything from boat engines to the gas engines in mowers, snow-blowers, saws and other wide spread tools not part of the discussion?
The “profits” to the farmers are offset by the costs to the people FORCED to use their damaging product, but what a source of votes for “you know who”.
I think I just answered my own question.

[Thorliveshere]

Here in Minnesota, they’re running anti-EPA ads 24/7, telling the public to “call their representative” and “put ethanol back in oil,” and “not become dependent on foreign oil;” Willfully oblivious to the Bakken shale just over the border.

[cableguymn]

Didn’t T-paw give us a E20 mandate as well?

[Vince Ferrer]

Even if we wanted to keep ethanol in our fuel, we don’t meed to get it from corn. We can make ethanol from coal 30% cheaper than from corn.

[Buckeye McFrog]

More votes to be lost in urbanized areas from anger over skyrocketing food prices than to be gained in Iowa and Nebraska.

[Repeal The 17th]

Adding alcohol to gasoline dilutes the fuel, and lowers the heat energy.

One US gallon of Gasoline (regular unleaded) = 114,100 BTU/gal
One US gallon of Ethanol (E100) = 76,100 BTU/gal [67% of gasoline BTU]
One US gallon of 10% Ethanol/Gasoline Blend (E10) = 110,300 BTU/gal [97% of gasoline BTU]
Math Check: [(114,100 X .9) + (76,100 X .1) = 110,300] [110,300/114,100 = .966]

Adding 10% ethanol to gasoline requires burning 3% more fuel to accomplish the same task.

Why do state and federal governments really like ethanol blended fuels?
Ethanol blended gasoline requires buying 3% more gallons of fuel in order to travel the same distance.
Highway fuels are taxed “by the gallon”, so governments collect more taxes with blended fuels.
Mandating the use of ethanol blended fuel was a disguise for a 3% hike in gasoline taxes.

[epow]

I don't see anything in the article that mentioned what to me is the most important issue in the so-called "renewable energy" debate, i.e., the cost of retrofitting motor vehicles over a certain date of manufacture to operate properly on the 15% ethanol fuel.

My wife and I are retired on a limited income + SS, and our family car is a 10 year old Toyota that has only 80K miles on the clock, gets 35 mpg highway, and is in excellent condition overall. Our 2nd vehicle is a very handy but even older pickup with approximately 130K miles on the clock. If what I have read and heard about the new fuel requirement is correct it could cost me well over $1,000 to have the Toyota retrofitted to use the new ethanol/gas fuel, and probably even more to modify the older pickup. My wife and I are conservative on practically all issues and are registered as Republicans, but we won't vote for or contribute to any candidate of either party who supports this unnecessary nonsense that only benefits the highly improbable odd couple composed of enviro/whackos and the big-corporation corn industry. If I have been given incorrect information on the issue, someone please show where and how it's incorrect.

[bestintxas]

Burning corn as fuel is one reason why the cost of hamburger is at record levels.

[MaxMax]

Ethanol requirements = KILLING CHILDREN, Starving them to Death!

There's your logic back at you LibTards!

[Thorliveshere]

That he did, and wasn’t too happy about that.