Ethanol Free Fuel gets Reprieve

[dickfoster]

I am for that, but killing a govt program is nearly impossible.

It is now widely known that ethanol in gas (E10) increases total CO2 emissions. Using corn for fuel is
a terrible misuse of farmland, and is quite carbon-intensive. Oxygenates do help a bit with
carbon monoxide pollution, but that is not the only way to reduce true pollutants.

Yeah I know but I sure don't have to like it or think that any of it makes any sense. You can't fix stupid by repeating the same stupid mistakes over and over again. Wasn't it Reagan who said "Government isn't the solution to the our problems, government is the problem." and from what I've seen, I can't agree more. Maybe Trump will get us headed in the right direction again. At least one can always hope.

 

[ruffdog]

Here is a article explaining why MTBE was banned in the US and Canada. There was a growing threat of contamination of drinking water.
ARCHIVED - Environment and Climate Change Canada - Acts & Regulations - Use and Releases of Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in Canada

 

[ruffdog]

Yeah, I get why people don't like reformulated fuels, I'm the same way. I have worked on small engines since the 70's...I get it. But, what is the solution in big metropolitan areas that have a smog problem?

 

[DEWFPO]

Oxygenated fuels were introduced in smog "non-attainment" areas back in the very early 80's, maybe sooner in some places. That's when most vehicles used non-computer controlled carburetors so the ethanol/MtBE oxygenates added oxygen to the combustion process and helped smoggy areas clean up a bit. But once, computer controlled fuel injection came on the scene, the need for oxygenated fuels diminished substantially but by then all the infrastructure was either being built or was in place to make it happen and there was no going back for politicians. It's about time the scientists re-looked at the cost/benefit analysis and convinced the 'new guy in town' to 'grow a set' and make the right decision about whether it is the worth continuing or cutting loose of it and moving on.

DEWFPO

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Yeah, I get why people don't like reformulated fuels, I'm the same way. I have worked on small engines since the 70's...I get it. But, what is the solution in big metropolitan areas that have a smog problem?

WELL, if they kick out all the illegals, how many hundred thousand cars will THAT get off the roads?? lol

SR

 

[roadhunter]

One interesting thing I found out was these plants can apparently utilize wood in thier processes. One of the guys with the Nebraska Forest Service was telling me about some loads of cedar going up to an ethanol plant in South Dakota recently. That really surprised me as I always thought it was just corn and it seemed like a much better deal using wood that was otherwise not going to be utilized for anything.

 

[Wagtail]

We have the premium E-0 and we have a station with 87 E-0 that is priced better.

87 'ULP' (E-0) is the regular petrol here in Tasmania. The alternatives are 91 E10 (1 cent a litre cheaper) and a 'super' 98 (E?).

I ran the E10 for quite a while as the engine specs said it was OK. However I recently (6 months ago) switched to the ULP and immediately received better fuel 'mileage'. I've now started using ULP in my D110 (after using up the E10 on-hand), the B&S engine is running a bit rough at first then settling down. I guess it's getting rid of crap in its system.

Plus I poured out the remainder of my 2-stroke petrol and made up a new 5 litre can using the ULP... my 2-strokes run better for it.

Oh, and as a note... here in Aus, ethanol is made from cane sugar.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Corn is not energy-efficient. Any kind of wood is far worse. Take away the government mandate and the government subsidy, and the whole shebang will come to a screeching halt as nobody will buy the product.

Brazil can use alcohol because of their climate. They can grow sugar cane in abundance, cheaply, and it's an excellent source of alcohol. We don't have the water supply anywhere in the U.S. to support cane sugar in that kind of quantity, and we don't have enough land with the right climate for it.

 

[Copperhead]

Ethanol will destroy every small engine in existence. All my boat motors. Several auto engines.

Ethanol is a boondoggle.

You are so full of it. Many of us have used E10 in vehicles and small engines since the late 70's when gasohol first started showing up in quantity, with no fuel related problems whatsoever. My 1974 Pontiac Catalina got fed E10 clear up till it died of body cancer in the mid 90's. Engine was still fine. Same for every vehicle I have owned during that time also and since. My JD rider got fed E10 frequently and lasted for years with no issues. Those that have had problems, usually improper fuel storage or any number of other issues were probably to blame. But ethanol got the blame because no one wants to admit they screwed up.

 

[roadhunter]

Corn is not energy-efficient. Any kind of wood is far worse. Take away the government mandate and the government subsidy, and the whole shebang will come to a screeching halt as nobody will buy the product.

Brazil can use alcohol because of their climate. They can grow sugar cane in abundance, cheaply, and it's an excellent source of alcohol. We don't have the water supply anywhere in the U.S. to support cane sugar in that kind of quantity, and we don't have enough land with the right climate for it.

Take away the government subsidies for farming and it would look a lot different as well.