Ethanol, myths and realities

Charlie_in_TX · May 22, 2006

Bird, I believe gasahol is only required in Houston and DFW and their surounding counties. Mothers day weekend we had a family get together. There were people from Dallas (Frisco), Houston (Cypress) and San Antonio. Those from D & H reported gasahol in the mid $2.90s and diesel at $2.70. Those from SA reported gas (no alc added) and diesel at $2.70. I saw the same thing after I got a couple of counties from Houston. Gas dropped to $2.70.

As far as ethanol is concerned. I am all for it. Stop paying farmers to not farm. But we will have to come up with alot more energy than that to replace the oil we currently import.

Charlie_in_TX · May 22, 2006

Bird, I believe gasahol is only required in Houston and DFW and their surounding counties. Mothers day weekend we had a family get together. There were people from Dallas (Frisco), Houston (Cypress) and San Antonio. Those from D & H reported gasahol in the mid $2.90s and diesel at $2.70. Those from SA reported gas (no alc added) and diesel at $2.70. I saw the same thing after I got a couple of counties from Houston. Gas dropped to $2.70.

As far as ethanol is concerned. I am all for it. Stop paying farmers to not farm. But we will have to come up with alot more energy than that to replace the oil we currently import.

tkcomer · May 22, 2006

Here in Kentucky, the Lexington Herald had an article on an alcohol plant in the state last fall. The plant said they could make ethanol for $1.48 a gallon. But they couldn’t sell all that they could make because big oil wouldn’t buy it unless mandated. Big oil doesn’t own the plant, so no big profit for them. Of course, now there is a shortage of alcohol. Another problem is the congressmen from the corn states. They want only corn to be used in the making of ethanol. That’s just wrong and limits production. Ethanol can be made from a wide variety of things. Using only corn just limits the potential for this fuel. Most studies against ethanol seem to be sponsored by big business saying it will cost the consumer too much. That’s not entirely true. If enough ethanol plants were put into production, we could at least wean ourselves off of imported oil. At the very least, drive down world oil prices. But it would take an act of congress to get this off the ground. So far, they seem to be in the grip of big oil. And big oil doesn’t like using alcohol.

tkcomer · May 22, 2006

Here in Kentucky, the Lexington Herald had an article on an alcohol plant in the state last fall. The plant said they could make ethanol for $1.48 a gallon. But they couldn’t sell all that they could make because big oil wouldn’t buy it unless mandated. Big oil doesn’t own the plant, so no big profit for them. Of course, now there is a shortage of alcohol. Another problem is the congressmen from the corn states. They want only corn to be used in the making of ethanol. That’s just wrong and limits production. Ethanol can be made from a wide variety of things. Using only corn just limits the potential for this fuel. Most studies against ethanol seem to be sponsored by big business saying it will cost the consumer too much. That’s not entirely true. If enough ethanol plants were put into production, we could at least wean ourselves off of imported oil. At the very least, drive down world oil prices. But it would take an act of congress to get this off the ground. So far, they seem to be in the grip of big oil. And big oil doesn’t like using alcohol.

MadReferee · May 22, 2006

( At the very least, drive down world oil prices. But it would take an act of congress to get this off the ground. So far, they seem to be in the grip of big oil. And big oil doesn’t like using alcohol. )

Here in the northeast we have had 10% ethanol in our gasoline since April 1. It was a mandate from the EPA, I believe because we could no longer use the MTBE additive in the summer. All gasoline sold within about a 75 mile radius of Boston has ethanol.

MadReferee · May 22, 2006

( At the very least, drive down world oil prices. But it would take an act of congress to get this off the ground. So far, they seem to be in the grip of big oil. And big oil doesn’t like using alcohol. )

Here in the northeast we have had 10% ethanol in our gasoline since April 1. It was a mandate from the EPA, I believe because we could no longer use the MTBE additive in the summer. All gasoline sold within about a 75 mile radius of Boston has ethanol.

Bird · May 22, 2006

I think you're right, Charlie, and I was mistaken when I said all of Texas. I think it's just those big metropolitan areas where the air pollution is supposed to be the greatest. And there's now one service station in Denton selling biodiesel; been a few articles in the newspaper about it and the city has been using it for awhile.

Bird · May 22, 2006

I think you're right, Charlie, and I was mistaken when I said all of Texas. I think it's just those big metropolitan areas where the air pollution is supposed to be the greatest. And there's now one service station in Denton selling biodiesel; been a few articles in the newspaper about it and the city has been using it for awhile.

jimg · May 23, 2006

An interesting twist in all this is the car makers. My owners manual says in big bold type that only straight gas is to be used. They warn against a mix b/c alcohol has an affinity for water which will eventually cause rust contamination in the fuel system. Hmmmm.... I suppose I could get the fuel system retrofitted but Im sure it wouldnt be cheap. Im sure my isnt the only vehicle w/ this stipulation.

jimg · May 23, 2006

An interesting twist in all this is the car makers. My owners manual says in big bold type that only straight gas is to be used. They warn against a mix b/c alcohol has an affinity for water which will eventually cause rust contamination in the fuel system. Hmmmm.... I suppose I could get the fuel system retrofitted but Im sure it wouldnt be cheap. Im sure my isnt the only vehicle w/ this stipulation.