What many do not realize, is that the RFS requires a certain quantity of renewable fuel (mostly ethanol) be blended in, no matter how much or how little gasoline is sold. If people use less gasoline, that means a higher concentration of ethanol, and a reduction in non-ethanol fuel for use in those vehicles and small engines which suffer detrimental effects.
“Research has shown, and EPA has agreed, that use of E15 in small nonroad engines can have harmful and costly consequences on small engines and outdoor power equipment. Research on warning label effectiveness suggests that an E-15 warning label will do very little to mitigate misfueling,” Briggs & Stratton Corp. Chief Executive Todd J. Teske said.
Behavioral studies of customers at the gas pump conclude that consumers overwhelmingly favor the lowest priced option, regardless of the consequences, Teske said. “Misfueling due to lack of education to consumers regarding the proper use of E15 will be significant. The use of Biofuels or ‘drop-in fuels’ has been tested and could prevent misfueling,” Teske said in written testimony.
Keep in mind, that in a multifuel pump, the first quart or so of what you buy will be what the previous customer bought. Which means that even if you select the no ethanol option and fill your gas can for the chainsaw, generator, or weed eater (or lawnmower), the first quart will contain the ethanol percentage the last consumer selected. If you purchase a gallon of no ethanol fuel, and the standard is E15, you can get concentrations approaching 4% ethanol in your fuel from the distribution system. Purchases of non-ethanol fuel from such systems should be made in larger quantities to minimize the amount of ethanol present in the fuel.
As an added bonus, from the article
http://www.ogj.com/articles/2016/06/reaching-2022-rfs-goals-could-be-difficult-house-subcommittee-told.html?cmpid=EnlDrillingJuly12016&eid=288225004&bid=1448221,
National Wildlife Federation Pres. Collin O’Mara noted that Congress expanded the RFS in 2007 to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, accelerate development of sustainable biofuels, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Unfortunately, 9 years later, there have been severe unintended consequences—large-scale loss of wildlife habitat (especially native grasslands) and degradation of water quality—and wildlife has borne the brunt of these impacts,” O’Mara said. “These unintended consequences threaten some of our most beloved and rare wildlife species, including sage grouse, meadowlarks, longspurs, swift fox, and the monarch butterfly, as well as a range of fish and other aquatic life.”
So, the mandate is reducing habitat for endangered species. I guess sacred cows take precedence.
