EPA: let's talk about that E15 raise a little longer
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is looking into what might happen to the environemnt if the maximum level of ethanol mixed into the national liquid fuel supply is increased from 10 percent (where it is today) to 15. This is raising all sorts of issues, as we've pretty much described to death recently. It looks like the EPA is dealing with a lot of information on the subject, too (or, maybe, not enough), and today the Agency extended the public comment period by 60 days. The whole discussion was kicked off by an application submitted in early March by Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers asking for a waiver to up the blend to E15 (more details here). The EPA needs to decide on the waiver request by December 1, and the extension of the public comment period will not change that deadline.[Source: EPA]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
alexacoon 5:22PM (5/15/2009)
This is just going to kill my motorcycle; its fuel injected but cant compensate for it and runs about 5% too lean. At present my Suzuki stalls from a dead stop if your not carefull and I'm worried that raising the ethanol to 15% will make matters worse.
Does anyone realize this will hurt your mileage compared to straight gasoline as well?
Ethanol can be a good fuel but you burn a lot more of it; just ask anyone who dragraces with it or regular alcohol.
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MikeW 10:49PM (5/15/2009)
I just hope they have a graduated system
E15 regular
E5 premium
E'10' mid-grade (mix half-half regular & premium)
Total ethanol usage would probably go up, which is what they want.
If you don't want it, you can move up a grade.
Frank 10:49PM (5/30/2009)
Mike has a good idea, also we need to produce alcohol from ag waste and high sugar crops like sugar cane or Monsanto could juice up Kudzu vine with sugar producing genes. It is important to consider the cost of Middle East Wars and occupation, the cost of enriching our enemies and disstabilizing the dollar when considering domestically produced alcohol. Only an oil company shill would "study" taking corn off the table to compare it to alcohol. But that is how research is done in America the company funds 100 studies and only publishes the ones that articulate their point of view.
Tim 9:25AM (5/18/2009)
its not good for alot of different engines, epecially on older vehicles to be running that high of a blend. on top of that it general returns poorer fuel economy, yet cost the oil companys less as a result of the government subsidies. Its win win for them loose loose for us. ethanol is (at least corn ethanol) is definately not the way to go when it comes to alternative fuels.
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Jonathan 6:52AM (7/17/2009)
I'm rather worried about our lawn mower - it specifically says in there, do not use E85 or any blend of more than 10% ethanol... Doing so may ruin the motor.
Makes me real thrilled that the government is feeling like meddling again.
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