NEWS:
President Bush speaking at the 2008 International renewable Energy Conference:
"...I strongly supported ethanol. In 2008 it's amazing to think about how far our country has come since the year 2000. Ethanol production has quadrupled from 1.6 billion gallons in 2000 to a little over 6.4 billion gallons in 2007. And the vast majority of that ethanol is coming from corn, and that's good. That's good if you're a corn-grower. And it's good if you're worried about national security. I'd rather have our corn farmers growing energy than relying upon some nation overseas that may not like us...".
President Obama's energy plan takes a far more diverse approach and includes advancing technology of varied sources of alternative fuels (solar, wind, hybids, etc.) and requires increased fuel efficiency for automobiles. His national low-carbon fuel standard is part of the initiative to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by mid-century. More Details: http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/factsheet_energy_speech_080308.pdf and http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/energy_and_environment/
Ethanol Politics, Legislation, Mandates & Laws
CORN FUELS...
Basically, the reason you now have alcohol blend fuels (E10) at most gas station pumps is because of several U.S. government and EPA laws, including:
The Clean Air Act (1990) and Alternative Motor Fuels Act (1988)
The Energy Policy Act (2005)
The Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS September 2006, updated in 2007-08.)
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The U.S. is a petroleum dependent nation...
As per official U.S. governement statistics from EIA - Energy Information Administration on May 1st, 2008...
The United States imported about 60% of the oil we consumed during 2006*.
AND
The United States produces 10% of the world’s oil and consumes 24%.
* Note: Petroleum imports increased another 10%, to about 70% by 2008-09.
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In summary the 5 primary goals for promotion and use of renewable (non-petroleum) fuels include:
- To decrease petroleum usage and decrease dependence on foreign oil importing;
- To meet rquirements of 1990 Clean Air Act -
Decrease pollution, carbon monoxide and help areas out of compliance with the national Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone;
- Replace MTBE with ethanol for oxygenating fuel;
- Use ethanol as a gasoline volume extender;
- And more recently to meet state mandates (quotas) for renewable fuels.
Renewable fuels include corn (grain) ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, and biodiesel fuels.
Since ethanol is readily available, most renewable fuel laws are met primarily by ethanol-blends of fuel.
Ethanol History Timeline
By 2009, over 75% of all gasoline contains ethanol.
2009 Most states complete rapid switchover from conventional, non-ethanol 100% gas, to blends that "may contain up to 10% ethanol". Consumers owning gas-powered engines not designed for alcohol blends, grow angrier as they lose their right and "choice" to purchase non-alcohol fuel at the pumps.
Several states now require "mandatory" ethanol blending;
Other states propose legislation to allow non-ethanol premium grade at pump (usually sold as premium octane of 91 or 93 at higher price per gallon).
Fuel distributors willingly switch to E10 - Government funded tax credits (up to 53 cents/gallon) create a higher profit margin for distributors and gas retailers.
(Rarely does the ethanol blending tax credit (government incentive/subsidy) pass along to consumer and lower prices at pump).
"Private" gasoline stations (aircraft SST, marine etc.) face difficulty locating a fuel distributor, now willing to sell non-ethanol gasoline.
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2003 to Present Almost ALL states have followed California's lead, banning MTBE, (a few states still have lawsuits pending with the EPA for exemption from MTBE ban), resulting in MTBE being replaced by ethanol nationwide.
Problems with groundwater contamination from the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), the only other available oxygenate and principal octane booster, accelerated the use of ethanol in low-level blends, after 1990.
2003 California began switching from MTBE to ethanol to make reformulated gasoline. CA was the first state to completely ban MTBE, effective January 1, 2004.
(All states ban MTBE, in public gas supply by 2006.)
1999 Some states began to pass bans on MTBE because traces of it were showing up in drinking water sources.
1995 The EPA began requiring the use of reformulated gasoline year round in metropolitan areas with the most smog.
EPA issues public bulletin warning for boaters using ethanol fuel. There have been many other bulletins/warnings from the EPA regarding alcohol-blends of gas, we mention this bulletin for boaters, since surprising that 14 years later, many marine engine owners are still unaware of necessary precautions.
The Clean Air Act (1990) and Alternative Motor Fuels Act (1988) contain provisions for mandating oxygenated fuel (RFG =Ethanol and MTBE). Requirements set for 2 types of clean-burning gasoline, RFG Federal Reformulated Gasoline and Wintertime Oxygenated Fuel.
1990 Clean Air Act Amendments - Mandated the winter use of oxygenated fuels in 39 major carbon monoxide non-attainment areas (based on EPA emissions standards for carbon dioxide not being met, in areas with unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide.) and required year-round use of oxygenates in 9 severe ozone non-attainment areas in 1995.
Late 1990's to Present Major U.S. auto manufacturers begin selling Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV's), that can run on up to 85% ethanol. Over 5 million FFV's/AFV's are on the road today.
Ethanol History 1940's to 1988:
1988 Denver, Colorado, mandated ethanol oxygenates fuels for winter use to control carbon monoxide emissions. Other cities followed.
1980's Oxygenates added to gasoline included MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether - made from natural gas and petroleum) and ETBE (Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether - made from ethanol and petroleum).
1975 U.S. begins to phase out lead in gasoline. MTBE eventually replaced lead.
(Note: Later, between 2004 to 2006, MTBE banned in almost all states, due to groundwater contamination and health risks).
1940's to late 1970's Virtually no commercial fuel ethanol was sold to the general public in the U.S. - due to the low price of gasoline fuel.
REPORT abnormal test results and problems with ethanol fuels.
April 2009: Despite 10% being the universally accepted legal limit for ethanol in conventional gas-powered engines,
on April 21st, 2009 ACE, Growth Energy and 54 ethanol producers submitted a waiver application to increase E10 to E15.
Waiver submitted to the EPA (by ethanol promoting industry groups) will increase E10 to 15% ethanol. Without opposition by 5/21/09, E15 will be allowed at public pumps this year. We strongly urge the public to petition against E15 increase. E85 (used only in specially designed flex fuel vehicles) makes much more sense than forcing all to use a 15% mid-range blend, not approved by engine's manufacturers.
2008, February - Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Revised:
EPA announces the revised Renewable Fuel Standard for 2008: This standard is used by obligated parties (refiners, importers, and blenders, other than oxygen blenders), to calculate their renewable volume obligation. This notice, which is required under section 211 of the Clean Air Act as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, supersedes the notice published November 27, 2007.
February 14, 2008 Renewable Fuel Standard: Notice of 2008 Requirement published.
EPA announces the revised Renewable Fuel Standard for 2008: This standard is used by obligated parties (refiners, importers, and blenders, other than oxygen blenders), to calculate their renewable volume obligation. This notice, which is required under section 211 of the Clean Air Act as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, supersedes the notice published November 27, 2007.
2008 standard increased quota from 2007.
2007, December - Energy Independence and Security Act signed by Congress and President Bush. EISA requires the use of 15 billion gallons of renewable (ethanol) fuel by 2015. In 2007 about 6.5 billion gallons were produced.
September 7, 2006 The Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS) is signed. This national renewable fuel program is designed to encourage the blending of renewable fuels (ethanol) into our nation's motor vehicle fuel.
The nationwide Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), will double the use of ethanol and biodiesel by 2012.
In 2006 production of ethanol was 4.9 billion gallons and use of 5.4 billion gallons, above the Policy Act requirements.
Spring 2006 Many outboard owners report marine damage and severe engine failure from use of ethanol blend fuels - Investigations reveal gas they used had ethanol content of 15-40%, well about the safe legal limit. See 1995 EPA warnings to boat owners.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a nationwide renewable fuels standard
requiring the use of 4 billion gallons of renewable fuel in 2006 and increasing to 7.5 billion gallons in 2012.
2005 Under the Energy Policy Act (2005), the EPA is responsible for regulations to ensure that gasoline sold in the United States contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel (ethanol is a renewable fuel).
President Bush Signed Into Law The First National Energy Plan In More Than A Decade. The President's national energy plan will encourage energy efficiency and conservation, promote alternative and renewable energy sources, reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy, increase domestic production, modernize the electricity grid, and encourage the expansion of nuclear energy.
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