House Science Committee Approves Bill Blocking E15
The House Science Committee approved a bill that bars the EPA from approving E15 gasoline without a further study into its effects. The bill passed 19-7 as members voted along party lines. The bill was sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI).
Automakers and corn growers have clashed over E15, which is made from 15 percent corn-based ethanol biofuel. The EPA allowed its use in 2001 and newer vehicles, but various interest groups, including Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute protested. In December 2011, Congress ended a 30 year subsidy for corn-based ethanol, that cost taxpayers an estimated $6 billion per year. Brazilian ethanol, which is made from sugarcane, also had its tariff lifted.
Opponents of ethanol noted that 40 percent of America’s corn crop went to ethanol usage, boosting food and animal feed prices unnecessarily by as much as 20 percent. Ethanol blend fuels are said to cause engine problems in vehicles not specially adapted to use them. Brazilian automobiles, for example, are designed to run on heavy blends of ethanol, including E85.
More by Derek Kreindler
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You can't find real gas? Come to Oklahoma, where that's no problem. Most stations selling non-adulterated gas have huge signs proclaiming "100% gasoline", "No Ethanol", "We sell real gas" or the like. Because they know what their customers want, and unlike the EPA, the stations have an interest in serving the public's interest. Oh, and stations selling fake gas are required to post notices to that effect.
With the drought in Texas last year actually *preventing* a corn crop and prompting ranchers to sell off herds that they couldn't feed, I guess that it's become increasingly apparent that ethanol is a bad use for food.
I did an E85 conversion on my Cavalier. My milage went from 30-35mpg on regular E10 gasoline to 20mpg on E85. Ethanol is terrible.
Well according to www.change2e85.com the $400 kit only drops your mileage 10% at the most. It was the biggest waste of money. Buy the time I had 2 tanks of E85 through the car my money back guarantee was up.