Trump is totally caving on the
ethanol question… again
Hot Air,
by
Jazz Shaw
Original Article
Posted By: mc squared,
9/15/2020 11:54:40 AM
One of the more disappointing aspects of Donald Trump’s presidency, at least for me, has been his continued support for both the execrable Renewable Fuel Standard and the ethanol lobby, particularly in Iowa. Sadly, in a pre-October surprise, the President has handed yet another gift to those players while dealing yet another blow to America’s drivers, boaters and the fossil fuel industry. This weekend, Trump approved the use of gas pumps designated for 10% ethanol blends for E15, or 15% blends, subject to state approval. The political component of this decision doesn’t even make much sense, to say nothing of the confusion it will cause among consumers and potential,
Reply 1 - Posted by:
Thos Weatherby 9/15/2020 12:03:48 PM (No. 541495)
No big deal. He's actually leaving it up for the states to decide. Down the road I'm sure he'll make it difficult for the states to approve. And, right now it's for the farmers. Because China's agriculture is wiped out because of the floods, China is forced to purchase their largest purchase ever. Trump has a long term plan with ethanol. Worry not.
16 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
49 Ford 9/15/2020 12:12:44 PM (No. 541505)
Well said, # 1.
6 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
NeverForget 9/15/2020 12:12:49 PM (No. 541506)
Ethanol is a bad idea for multiple reasons. It is also the third rail of Iowa politics. Openly and loudly opposing ethanol is a terrific way to lose Iowa. When issues like fair trade, national security, Supreme Court justices, fighting Socialism and so many others are on the line, ethanol is not a hill to die on.
21 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Starboard_side 9/15/2020 12:18:24 PM (No. 541510)
Do not allow single-issue items change the way you vote, particularly one so small as this one.
17 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
Toby Ten Bears 9/15/2020 12:19:54 PM (No. 541513)
So what? Yawn.
7 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
coldoc 9/15/2020 12:28:54 PM (No. 541522)
Ethanol keeps me employed with carburetor rebuilds and fuel line repairs on atv's and small engines. Many small engines are NOT certified for E-15.
9 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
TulsaTowner 9/15/2020 12:37:12 PM (No. 541532)
Gotta choose your battles ---
14 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
HotRod 9/15/2020 12:55:50 PM (No. 541562)
Non-Ethanol fuel is available, if you want it. No need to fret over it. In fact it is becoming more widely available here in Florida. There are two places within one mile of my place that sells it.
6 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
wildcat1 9/15/2020 12:56:57 PM (No. 541564)
About 30 percent of the US corn crop is used for ethanol, 40 percent is fed to animals domestically and 30 percent is exported. Without ethanol, corn would be priced at depression level prices.
Raise another crop you say? We also have a soybean surplus and a wheat surplus. US farmers are way too efficient and we raise too much grain. We buy retail, sell wholesale ( and below), and pay the freight both ways. Without ethanol, the US ag industry would be beyond bankrupt.
The acreage setaside policies ot the 70s and 80s allowed Brazil to fill the world supply gap.
Gasoline is actually about 10 percent cheaper with ethanol. Refiners blend lower octane gas up to the 87 octane floor with ethanol. Ethanol is the best, safest octane enhancer there is, and the leftover mash from fermenting it is used as a higher quality animal feed than straight corn. Win win for all.
4 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
504pc 9/15/2020 12:57:11 PM (No. 541565)
Not a big deal, most gas stations in south Louisiana offer the non ethanol option. More important to carry the midwestern states.
5 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
WhamDBambam 9/15/2020 1:38:27 PM (No. 541605)
This is so low on my current list of concerns, it's not worth mentioning.
4 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
GoodDeal 9/15/2020 2:12:51 PM (No. 541639)
Turning corn into gas has never been an idea that the open market and capitalism would embrace as a long term profitable venture. The only reason it has gone as far as it has is because of big fat government subsidies plain and simple. Wonder why tortillas and corn flakes are so expensive these days?
3 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
Smart11344 9/15/2020 2:34:27 PM (No. 541656)
I am disappoined Trump didn't put a stop to adding ethanol to gasoline. My 2002 Camry wouldn't survive on 15% alcohol mis with gasoline. It runs perfectly after all these years.
1 person likes this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
varkdriver 9/15/2020 3:48:03 PM (No. 541723)
Would love to see ethanol go away entirely, but as #1 states, it is not all bad.
If you are looking for ethanol-free fuel, use this: https://www.pure-gas.org/ It may cost a couple of shekels more per gallon, but worth it.
0 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
BooneBoy 9/15/2020 5:08:38 PM (No. 541822)
Trump needs to make the liberal states erect power plants which burn nothing but Ethanol. Then we can quit putting it into our gasoline.
Challenge science and business to come up with more products which use corn. But it is used in most products now. https://www.businessinsider.com/corn-product-infographic-2012-7?op=1
T
1 person likes this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
DVC 9/15/2020 6:47:02 PM (No. 541929)
Only no-ethanol gas goes into my gas cans for all my small power equipment. My cars are new enough (fuel systems modified) and get driven enough to protect from the ethanol damage, which is mostly from periods of disuse.
My small engines...mowers, pressure washer, chain saws, weed whackers, leaf blowers, generators, etc ALWAYS get ethanol-free fuel. That switch has cut down dramatically on the number of times I have to tear down the carburetors and clean out the corrosion products from the ethanol in the fuel. If you can't overhaul your own small engine carberators - I can't imagine the cost of paying to have that done, and finding someone actually competent to do it!
The 15% ethanol is an absolute non-starter for me.
0 people like this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
or gate 9/16/2020 1:25:25 AM (No. 542162)
Our Prez know what he is doing
0 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
DustDevil31 9/16/2020 11:01:52 AM (No. 542532)
This really pisses me off. uS Govt wrecked diesel pricing with the EPA low sulfur standards. This hurts all of us even if we are driving diesels.
0 people like this.
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Comments:
This won't cost me my vote for DJT - it's too important, but jeeze, Maybe a New Yorker has never needed gasoline powered equipment or outboards. There is no scientific reason for alcohol in gasoline; just the opposite. Fortunately, I can find 'pure gas' here in FL but I have to search for it.