EPA ups America's Renewable Fuel Standard to 10.21 percent for 2009
In 2009, the U.S. will use at least 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuel. This was the pronouncement of the EPA today regarding an increase in the Renewable Fuel Standard Increased from 7.76 percent (the 2008 number) to 10.21 percent, an increase of 2.45 percentage points or about 2 billion gallons. The 11-plus billion gallons will be blended into transportation gasoline as E10, E85 and different types of biodiesel blends. The raise continues the EPA's policy of gradual increases in the annual use of biofuels until the target of 36 billion gallons in 2022, set by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), is reached.[Source: EPA]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bill 10:06AM (11/18/2008)
So I guess I can look forward to a 3% drop in mileage. None of the alternative fuels carry the "bang for the buck" as straight gasoline. So much for progress.
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Carney 1:19PM (12/31/2008)
Depending on the price gap, ethanol can offer MORE miles per DOLLAR, and doesn't that matter more than miles per gallon?
ron 6:32PM (11/19/2008)
11 billion gallons of fuel NOT imported from terrorland. I will gladly see my mileage drop 3% if it means 100% of my money stays in America.
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Carney 1:24PM (12/31/2008)
This approach is bass-ackwards.
Instead of trying to force people to use ethanol in their gasoline cars, we can guarantee a market for it by just mandating that all new cars sold (not just made) in America have flex fuel capability as a standard feature, like seat belts.
Only a $100 per car expense when installed at the factory as original parts, but in 3 years we'd have 50 million cars on the road that can run on E85 (or M85 if we're wise enough to include M85 compatiblity in the mandate).
Combine that with dropping the tariff on Brazilian ethanol which is much cheaper, and motorists will demand alcohol fuel just for the per gallon savings, regardless of environmental or geo-strategic concerns.
And again, with methanol or Brazilian ethanol, you'll get WAY more miles per DOLLAR. Make the fuel tanks bigger (plenty of room in cars for that - much empty space is used for soundproofing or styling) and you won't even have to fill up more often, and alcohol is likely to ignite and explode in crashes too.
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Carney 1:26PM (12/31/2008)
"and alcohol is likely to ignite and explode in crashes too."
I meant LESS likely to ignite and explode of course.
Stupid, lame, non-editable Blogsmith comment system.