Oregon Legislature Debating Five Different Bills Limiting Corn Ethanol & Mandates - NYT

[hatrack]

The Oregon legislature is jumping into the anti-ethanol fight as it considers five bills that would limit the reach of the corn-based product in the state. (Thanks to Grist for pointing this item out.)

According to OregonLive.com, the complaints range from lower gas mileage to wear-and-tear on engines, as well as the impact of corn ethanol on food prices.

Oregon’s law does permit groups like boaters, antique car owners and pilots to buy ethanol-free, or “clear” gasoline. But according to Capital Press, an agricultural news service, the stations selling the clear product are few and far between, and lawmakers say they now have to drive far out of their way – 15 miles in the case of Vicki Walker, a state senator from Eugene – to buy it.

The Oregon State Marine Board posts a list of precautions boaters should take when using E-10, the 10 percent ethanol that was introduced into the state last year. (One potential problem for boats is that ethanol absorbs water.)

EDIT

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/corn-ethanol-concerns-spread-to-oregon/