How the eco-Left tried to sneak a little Green New Deal into your gas tank

[rangerrebew]

How the eco-Left tried to sneak a little Green New Deal into your gas tank
By
Larry Behrens
|
December 26th, 2024
 
We dodged an economic bullet aimed at your car’s gas tank.

As Congress recently considered  the 1,500+ page continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government, there was a sneaky provision tucked away in the bill designed to hit Americans where it hurts most: at the gas pump. Hidden in the text was a measure to allow for the year-round use of E15, a fuel blend containing 15% ethanol. It was clearly a Trojan horse provision for costly ethanol mandates that will drive up fuel prices and harm everyday consumers.

Special interest groups immediately celebrated the idea, presumedly because there was a payout along with it. Keep in mind, these are the same groups that hailed President Biden’s controversial Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), “This initiative will help jump-start climate progress, while delivering more savings at the pump,” they said in 2022. The reality? Nationally, gas prices continue to hover around $3 or more per gallon, even as the administration touted its so-called climate wins. They were wrong about the IRA two years ago, and they’re wrong about E15 in the old CR.

States that have adopted similar fuel standards offer a stark warning. Last March, the average price of gas in states with stricter standards reached $4.28 per gallon—nearly a dollar more than the national average. California, often the poster child for these policies, now sees families paying $1.30 more per gallon compared to the rest of the country. It’s no coincidence. The cost of compliance with E15 and other “green” mandates disproportionately falls on smaller fuel processors, driving up expenses that are inevitably passed on to consumers.

https://www.cfact.org/2024/12/26/how-the-eco-left-tried-to-sneak-a-little-green-new-deal-into-your-gas-tank/

[SZonian]

What this article fails to mention is that E15 is completely incompatible with the vast majority of ICE engines currently operating.
It'll destroy the delivery system components as well as damage the engine.

I can attest to the lower economy impact because when CA was transitioning from MTBE to ethanol, there were stations that were selling "clean" gas.
During that time, my truck was getting 20-22mpg.
Once ethanol was introduced, I can't get over 17mpg.
Azzholes...

[DefiantMassRINO]

E15 is inflationary as it diverts corn supply away from food and animal feed, as well as increasing the cost of gasoline.

To fight inflation and grow GDP, the US economy needs to move away from centralized Government planning towards increasing and improving free market efficiencies.

[Smokin Joe]

What this article fails to mention is that E15 is completely incompatible with the vast majority of ICE engines currently operating.
It'll destroy the delivery system components as well as damage the engine.

I can attest to the lower economy impact because when CA was transitioning from MTBE to ethanol, there were stations that were selling "clean" gas.
During that time, my truck was getting 20-22mpg.
Once ethanol was introduced, I can't get over 17mpg.
Azzholes...

Makes you wonder if anyone did the math on the change in 'carbon footprint' per mile traveled with the lower fuel efficiency. I'd almost bet it comes out greater than just using gasoline, because more fuel is consumed to go that mile.

[SZonian]

Makes you wonder if anyone did the math on the change in 'carbon footprint' per mile traveled with the lower fuel efficiency. I'd almost bet it comes out greater than just using gasoline, because more fuel is consumed to go that mile.

I think they did, but probably not for the reasons you may think.
The more gallons purchased, the more "revenue" $$ the state steals from you.
Then there's the "feel good" factor...not sure I place much value on that, but you know the envirowhackos who are all about feelings do.

[Smokin Joe]

I think they did, but probably not for the reasons you may think.
The more gallons purchased, the more "revenue" $$ the state steals from you.
Then there's the "feel good" factor...not sure I place much value on that, but you know the envirowhackos who are all about feelings do.

Well, there is a certain amount of ethanol required to be mixed into the fuel supply, regardless of how many gallons of fuel are sold. It isn't a percentage, but a fixed amount. If they can use E-15 to move more Ethanol, then they can meet their standards, despite ethanol having lower BTU content, getting you down the road fewer miles, and after 10%, exceeding the limits the engines (except flex fuel and E-85 engines) were designed for. It sure wrecked a few carburetors and older (mechanical) fuel pumps around here, where vehicles seem to survive for longer service lives than most places. (The absence of road salt is a factor; my '87 and late '90s vehicles are rust free.)

[IsailedawayfromFR]

To fight inflation and grow GDP, the US economy needs to move away from centralized Government planning towards increasing and improving free market efficiencies.

Case in point:
Do you think it is efficient that the government is directing people toward EVs which lowers overall ethanol usage while at the same time attempting to expand the amount of ethanol usage?

[Cyber Liberty]

Case in point:
Do you think it is efficient that the government is directing people toward EVs which lowers overall ethanol usage while at the same time attempting to expand the amount of ethanol usage?

I am starting to see non-ethanol gasoline pumps here.  I have no idea what that means....

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I am starting to see non-ethanol gasoline pumps here.  I have no idea what that means....

Looks at the price.

Much higher margins for stations

[Cyber Liberty]

Looks at the price.

Much higher margins for stations

Yes, the price is way high....

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Yes, the price is way high....

yet I pay it as I only put ethanol free onto my 2 cycle engines, as well as my polaris 4 wheelers.

[Sighlass]

I am starting to see non-ethanol gasoline pumps here.  I have no idea what that means....

Your Lawn Care folks knows it means their equipment will last beyond one season, ethanol KILLS lawnmowers, weedeaters, chainsaws, gas blowers, etc... IOWs, if you own any of the above, you need non-ethanol gas to operate it. @Cyber Liberty

It also (to a lesser degree) kills most cars with water and higher running temps. Ethanol is evil and in higher percentages even more so.

Factor in the farmers having to produce corn and there is NO reduction in the carbon footprint... It takes land that could be used for other crops, and it raises food prices. You of course know this, for some reason most the pop-corn eaters of America don't.

[Timber Rattler]

What this article fails to mention is that E15 is completely incompatible with the vast majority of ICE engines currently operating.
It'll destroy the delivery system components as well as damage the engine.

I can attest to the lower economy impact because when CA was transitioning from MTBE to ethanol, there were stations that were selling "clean" gas.
During that time, my truck was getting 20-22mpg.
Once ethanol was introduced, I can't get over 17mpg.
Azzholes...

E10 and E15 also destroy small engines for lawn mowers, weed eaters, snow blowers, tillers, etc. by degrading and dissolving the inner rubber gaskets and seals.  Ask me how I know that...