E85 Boondoggle of the Day: Gas Prices "Force" Americans to Push for Ethanol Fuel

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

That's the headline on the press release sent by EPIC, the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. Apparently, "Motorists are frustrated and angry about high gas prices. Everyone is feeling the pinch at the pump, which really underscores our need for biofuels," claims Toni Nuernberg, EPIC's exec director. "As gas prices continue to skyrocket, we must continue the push for the only current transportation energy option we have today-biofuels." Yes, well, by their own admission, EPIC's Royal "we" represents little more than the ethanol industry and wishful thinking. In a not-so-epic EPIC survey on gas prices, only 11 percent of 1004 online (opt in) respondents said they were "taking action to use and support [emphasis added] non-oil based energy." Some 47 percent they'd "like to" and a whopping 43 percent "no, I have not considered this." Anyway, I called Robert White, EPIC's Deputy Director, to ask how soaring gas prices worked in his members' favor. I was surprised to discover EPIC disagrees with the AAA; E85 is cheaper than regular gas! But wait, there's more…

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

More by Robert Farago

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 13 comments
  • Theodore Theodore on Jun 12, 2008

    On the price issue - I was out in Omaha recently and paid 10¢ less per gallon for 89 octane straight gasoline than I would have paid for 87 octane E10.

  • Landcrusher Landcrusher on Jun 12, 2008

    Public opinion will finally turn against ethanol at about the time someone comes up with an ethanol that actually does make sense. At that point no one will be willing to even talk about it.

  • Mel23 Mel23 on Jun 12, 2008

    To broaden the topic a little, the EU has announced they are opening an anti-dumping investigation concerning the dumping of biofuels from the US. Seems they have a $300 per tonne subsidy on the stuff if it's 99% bio so, for the US producer/seller that means subsidies on both sides of the pond. Of course the problem from the European side is that their poor bio producers are screaming. Where is our farm lobby when our family farmers need them.

  • RogerB34 RogerB34 on Jun 12, 2008

    1.4 gal E85 yields about the same mileage as 1 gallon of gasoline. CReport 2006 of their 150 mile test: 18 mpg gasoline, 13 mpg E85. Consumers will know first tank. A common complaint is drop in mpg when E10 winter gasoline is used.

Next