bradyb

Is this really happening? So now we have to live with even lower gas mileage and engine damage from this crap?

Never get between a politician and their subsidies - especially in an election year. And the same green freaks call big oil evil. Hmmm......

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...1#.T4OqQo6GakA

Edgy01

So what else is new from Washington? They don't really care. So long as it looks good for the corn producing states...

sjfehr

EPA isn't requiring anybody to carry or use R15, just approving it to be sold. I'm not going to be buying it, but it's a free market and a free country and while I think they're stupid for doing so, it's the right of Americans to ruin their cars if they want.

Ethanol from North American crops (corn, switchgrass, etc.) requires more energy to produce than we get from burning it and represents a net energy loss, but a gallon of ethanol does still offset a gallon of gas that no longer has to be imported from Venezuela, Middle East, etc, and allows us to offset that energy with coal or natural gas. Which, ironically, is far worse for the environment than just burning gasoline.

Alan C.

We import more oil from Canada and Mexico than the others noted. Still it's an import.

pdxjim

Well, E-10 is required in the state of Oregon. So, you don't think they will up it to E-15 then??

Spokane5150

E15 or E85....just stay away from it if you have a high performance vehicle. I think the Farmers lobbyist have a lot to do with as well. There are a ton of these Coop Farmers that built Ethanol Plants all over the Midwest. Some have even gone Bankrupt. When gas prices are high the corn farmers make money on Ethanol.

Spokane5150

The oil sands are huge right now. I'd rather buy from our good friends in Canada. Mexico...not so much. I can't even bring myself to vacation in Mexico anymore. Mexico is way too dangerous.

Skibum

Stay away from New Jersey too... I hear there are rogue gas jockeys all over the state.

997_rich

unfortunately... it's almost impossible to stay away from 10% corn alcohol today because it's at every station in my area. I can imagine that they'll be going to 15% because the corn subsidies keep the price down and I believe it's actually cheaper for the stations to buy than 100% gasoline. Most consumers don't understand what's going on so they just shop for the cheapest fuel so that creates a strong motivations for stations to cut over to the corn fuel.

Extremely frustrating because it also wreaks havoc on plastic motorcycle tanks- they warp and bubble.

Spokane5150

Gas Sta-Bil should be your best friend if you store your car or bikes for long periods of time. I use it in all my motors that sit around especially in the winter.

alexb76

It's sooo dumb! Just provide a FREAKING OPTION! I am SUPER LUCKY, we get 94 octane, 0% ethanol in most Chevron stations...

They should do that, provide 0%, E5, E10, and E15... people who care and like to enjoy better performance, will go to gas stations that carry E0 or E5.

USMC_DS1

This was how E10 started... now it's mandated anywhere you can find EPA or a politician. Check this site out to find a location in your state with 100% gas. It's kind of telling. I have to drive 160 miles to outside of Dallas for the good stuff http://www.pure-gas.org/

Mike in CA

The salvation, for now at least, is that E15 isn't suitable for pre 2001 automobiles, which means E10 or better will still have to be around for a while. It is a stupid capitualation to the farm lobby; ethanol is a net loser all the way around.

Phi1720

Newer plastic tanks are required to meet new test standards to avoid this, but you're exactly correct that all the pre-ethanol stuff has no protective inner layer or approved rubber seals to protect against the ethanol. A shame for sure.

Phi1720

This will go away eventually though. Remember some people added lead to their older performance engine's fuel tank when unleaded was mandated several decades ago.

Unfortunately, there's no additive to take the corn out.