Fuel-Up!
Know the Facts on Ethanol Gas and Renewable Fuels
"If you are going to believe, know why you believe and back it up with something..."
0710042309: Petition_Against E15
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The rapid push for E15 conventional gas is a foolish plan, which will only benefit (profit) ethanol producers, while causing increased risk of gasoline-caused engine damage, water-contamination and decreased mpg for consumers.
Background: In April 2009, Growth Energy, ACE -American Coalition for Ethanol, and 54 ethanol producers completed submission of a formal request to the EPA for increase of E10 to E15.
* Not a single engine manufacturer allows for use of over 10% ethanol alcohol in gasoline.
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THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO ACT QUICKLY TO STOP E15!
Pre-formatted form is easy to complete - Will be sent directly to the EPA via email.
Simply check boxes you agree with on the form and include your contact information and engine type. Form includes pre-written statement such as,
"I am writing to strongly urge the EPA to deny the petition submitted by ACE, Growth Energy and others requesting a waiver under Clean Air Act Sec. 211(f)(4) to increase allowable ethanol in conventional gasoline blends from E10 (E10) to 15% (E15). Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0211"...
"A higher E15 blend will cause drivability and performance problems, lower fuel efficiency, increase incidence of gasoline water contamination, prematurely deteriorate engine parts, contribute to failure of emissions & fuel system and decrease the useful life of my gas-powered engines."...
"Numerous reports and manufacturer publications support 10% is the maximum SAFE allowable content for ethanol in conventional gasoline."...
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- "Higher Ethanol Blends Present Many Changes" 03/11/2009 by Gary Truitt, Hoosier AG Today
Excerpt,
"...the move from 10% to 15% faces some formidable challenges, Raising the standard is vital for the success and continued growth of the ethanol industry, says Bob Dinneen of the Renewable Fuels Association. But as he told an ethanol conference last week more research is needed to assure the engine makers, ...“. Read full article at: http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/02285_blend_wall_172550.php
- "OPEI concerned over E15 fuel issue" 03/09/2009 by Landscape Management/OPEI
Excerpt,
"The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has serious concerns with a premature rush to 15 percent ethanol (E15) or other mid-level fuel blends as being suggested by pro-ethanol producers. Without a formal waiver process through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and a continued misinterpretation of test results from a recent Department of Energy (DOE) report, introducing E15 and higher fuels to the marketplace for existing equipment pose serious risks to American consumers and businesses...".
Read full article at: http://www.opei.org/ht/d/Articles/pid/187
E15 In The News...
- "Ethanol Producers Press for Higher Limits" 03/06/2009 by Steven Mufson - Washington Post
Excerpt:
"...But many critics say the push for higher ethanol limits is really about propping up the heavily subsidized ethanol industry and giving a boost to venture capital firms that are still struggling to come up with an economically competitive way to produce other forms of ethanol made from plants that do not compete with food products. In addition, the American Petroleum Institute and some carmakers say they want to wait to make sure that higher percentages of ethanol in gasoline won't damage vehicles' engine parts. ..."
Read full article at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/05/AR2009030503815.html
Petition Against Increase of E10 to E15!
Orlando Sentinnel News Reporter Strongly Supports E15...
- "Wesley Clark: State's energy future is biofuels" April 20, 2009
04/20/2009 - Orlando Sentinnel.
Excerpt:
"Last month, a group I'm part of, Growth Energy, proposed one such solution by submitting a green jobs waiver to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which would increase the blend of ethanol in our fuel supply up to 15 percent — creating jobs, boosting our energy independence and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Right now, ethanol is capped at 10 percent of the fuel supply...".
And, "...The science also overwhelmingly shows that a 15 percent blend of ethanol is safe for your vehicle... "
Read full article at: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edpopclark20042009apr20,0,7957583.story
- "Ethanol - the challenges with too much of a good thing".
Copied on 4/23/09, posts are from 2008 - ConsumerReports.org
Excerpts:
"The ethanol industry faces a challenge: under the federal Energy Act, passed last December, the industry is required to produce 30 billion gallons of ethanol a year by 2020. Today it produces about 7 billion gallons. But if ethanol were blended into every gallon of gasoline sold, in the standard 10 percent ratio, it would consume only about half of the 30-billion-gallon requirement.
So far, the Department of Energy (DOE) has proposed two potential solutions: Sell more E85 ethanol, though it is a niche market today. (And) Raise the standard blend from 10 to 15 or 20 percent. .. "
A responder stated, "If you use sugar as in Brazil, okay, or switchgrass maybe, but use of corn is stupid. Food prices are going up. Plus you cannot transport it in pipelines!! Let's get serious about alternative energy sources and not political!!!!."
Another response, by a Manager of Biofuels Implementation at GM Powertrain states,
"...E20 may be a viable alternative in the future, but we do need to make sure E20 has been thoroughly tested. It's a relatively new option in ethanol, and more long-term research is still needed to measure things like driveability, tailpipe emissions and the emissions control systems..."
Read complete page at: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2008/03/ethanol-e85.html
More E15 Information:
March 2009: ACE Coalition Formally Petitions EPA to Allow up to 15 Percent Ethanol in Gasoline.
View and Respond to EPA Notice - "Request for Public Comments".
Excerpt from ethanolproducer.org Ethanol Producer Magazine...
"...The American Coalition for Ethanol is hosting a petition for the E15 waiver on its website. The organization seeks to gather as many signatures as possible to demonstrate to Congress, the White House and EPA that America wants more ethanol...." (emphasis added).
Fuel-testers comment 4/28/09: The "America" we speak to everyday, which includes gas retailers, petroleum service companies and distributors, engine manufacturers, mechanics, consumers and more, have already faced significant challenges managing E10 fuel - They do NOT want conventional gas to contain more ethanol (15%).
Replacing E10 with E15 simply makes no sense.
"Talking Points"
- Not a single engine manufacturer currently approves of gas that contains over 10% alcohol.
- An increase of 5% ethanol (E15) will increase the instability of gasoline, with a much greater risk for water contamination.
Water and oil don't mix -Ethanol attracts and absorbs water, causing premature phase separation of gasoline.
- Since ethanol is also a strong solvent (and degreaser), standard engines and petroleum equipment will experience greater wear-down of parts and useful life of engine/equipment. View engine damage list.
- E15 will further reduce mpg and increase gasoline cost for all consumers.
- The EPA has NOT yet performed testing on all gas-powered engines to determine if E15 is safe for use. Trusting a few, very limited studies completed by the ethanol producers is unacceptable! Decades of research support over 10% ethanol blends of fuel are not appropriate for most engines.
- Approving E15 now, in anticipation of future vehicles designed and approved to run on higher blends, will simply cause more confusion at the gas pumps.
- E15 only benefits ethanol producers. The U.S. needs to reconsider government sponsored "ethanol subsidies and grants" - An appropriate petroleum replacement for the long term must be able to survive the market on it's own.
- To meet increasing government quotas and mandates for ethanol, non-farm sources need to be ready (and cost effective) in the market. The U.S. does not have enough corn, grains and farmland to meet increasing ethanol quotas. Non-farm sources include ethanol made from cellulose, garbage, grass and other stock that does not compete with food.
- We believe there are many other sources of alternative energy on the horizon that will surpass ethanol's usefullness. Our government tax dollars would be better spent in advancing these technologies - E.G. Hydro, wind and solar power, electric vehicles, etc.
- If you wish to support ethanol, E85 (85% ethanol content) used only in a FFV (Flex Fuel Vehicles) makes much more sense.
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Petition
Against E15
Read Full EPA Notice: http://www.fueltestkit.com/epa_public_notice_e15_042109.html
Title:
"Notice of Receipt of a Clean Air Act Waiver Application To Increase the Allowable Ethanol Content of Gasoline to 15 Percent; Request for Comment".
E15 makes less sense than E10, which has already caused too many unnecessary engine damage and increased gas consumption and cost. Not all gas powered engines are designed for alcohol fuel blends. Both E10 and E15 do nothing to decrease petroleum consumption. E85 makes sense (used only in flex-fuel "green" cars). But sneaking more ethanol into conventional fuel seems unlawful. Damage caused by E15 will not be covered by engine warranties since all manufacturers allow only up to 10% (E10).
When used as a gas or additive (oxygenator) ethanol is subsidized by our state and federal government.
The taxpayer funded support of ethanol (subsidies, tax credits), with concommittant decrease in mpg and efficiency for ethanol blends, (without lower pricing) is just one more slap in the face to your average, strugggling American consumer.
The water-absorbing properties and solvent effects of ethanol (gas contamination & engine breakdown) will once again hit the marine engine and older vehicle owners the hardest, as we've seen with with widespread distribution of E10 in recent years.
*Those organizations and companies who support ethanol seem mainly driven by profit and greed; Those who are against ethanol, often base their arguments on decades of factual and reputable studies that demonstrate alcohol's negative effects to engines and gasoline stability, higher cost of gas for consumers, and unnecessary government-funded ethanol incentives and tax credits.
Ethanol promotion is often supported by corrupt politicians who have no concern whether or not it will benefit America. Interesting example:
Governor's Ethanol Coalition Organization was established in 1991 to promote increased use of ethanol; The "current" chairperson is Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, according to their website in April 2009.
American Coalition for Ethanol was established in 1988 solely to be a "spokesperson for the ethanol industry". They refuse to address or educate the public on precautions necessary with ethanol-blends and THEY state on their website that they want YOU to "Get Involved" by "Voting and donating money to candidates who support ethanol" and ...
Comments will be sent to:
E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Fax: (202) 566-1741.
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0211
EPA Contact for Further Information/Questions:
James W. Caldwell, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Mailcode: 6406J,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460;
Telephone: (202) 343-9303; Fax: (202) 343-2802; Email: caldwell.jim@epa.gov
Hurry! Deadline to respond is July 20th, 2009
Stop E15 Ethanol Increase - Respond to EPA by July 20th, 2009