Automakers suing EPA over higher ethanol mix gas

[RamboLiberal]

Source: USA Today/AP

Automakers and engine manufacturers are suing the Environmental Protection Agency over a plan to allow the sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol.

The Obama administration ruled in October that gas stations could start selling the corn-based ethanol blend for vehicles built since the 2007 model year. It's an increase from the current blend of 10% ethanol.

Automakers say they are worried the EPA decision would eventually lead to motorists unknowingly filling up their older cars and trucks with E15 and hurting their engines. The problem could be exacerbated if E15 fuels are cheaper than more conventional blends, prompting owners of older vehicles to use the fuel despite the potential engine problems.

The lawsuit was filed by the automakers, boat manufacturers and outdoor power equipment manufacturers. In the suit, the trade groups say the decision could cause engines to fail and question whether the EPA's approval for E15 fuels for only certain vehicles violates the federal Clean Air Act.



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-12-20-epa-ethanol-suit_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

[Historic NY]

1. Its about time that stuff ruins older engine componets....

especially rubber hoses and gas lines. I own 4 antique vehicles which I'd have to park if this was the only fuel available. It would be too costly to even change out everything. In addition to lowering gas mileage, it doesn't create enough BTU's of energy it is more costly to produce.

[rfranklin]

4. It's a government subsidy for ADM and other ethanol producers...

We would do a lot better with higher mileage requirements on new vehicles. Even the right wing Cato Institute doesn't like it--

Archer Daniels Midland:
A Case Study In Corporate Welfare
by James Bovard

James Bovard is an associate policy analyst with the Cato Institute. His most recent book is Shakedown: How the Government Screws You from A to Z (Viking, 1995).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Executive Summary

The Archer Daniels Midland Corporation (ADM) has been the most prominent recipient of corporate welfare in recent U.S. history. ADM and its chairman Dwayne Andreas have lavishly fertilized both political parties with millions of dollars in handouts and in return have reaped billion-dollar windfalls from taxpayers and consumers. Thanks to federal protection of the domestic sugar industry, ethanol subsidies, subsidized grain exports, and various other programs, ADM has cost the American economy billions of dollars since 1980 and has indirectly cost Americans tens of billions of dollars in higher prices and higher taxes over that same period. At least 43 percent of ADM's annual profits are from products heavily subsidized or protected by the American government. Moreover, every $1 of profits earned by ADM's corn sweetener operation costs consumers $10, and every $1 of profits earned by its ethanol operation costs taxpayers $30

One of the most politically charged debates in Washington revolves around business subsidies known as "corporate welfare." A number of policy organizations have published studies examining the corporate welfare phenomenon: what qualifies as corporate welfare, how much it costs taxpayers, and how much it damages the economy. This study examines the dynamics of corporate welfare somewhat differently by investigating ADM as a classic case study of how those subsidies are obtained, how the welfare state encourages such "rent seeking," and how such practices fundamentally corrupt the political life of a nation. Congress's expressed desire to foster a free marketplace cannot be taken seriously until ADM's corporate hand is removed from the federal till.

http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-241.html

[madrchsod]

2. dumb idea....E 10 gas is`t any cheaper than regular gas.

the last thing we need is to use corn for fuel. it leaves the usa without reserves till the next season. another year like this year in the corn belt and watch the food price go through the roof.

[WingDinger]

3. Make it 100% and let whino's swig straight from the pump.

[Crowman1979]

5. Yeah, take away poor child's dinner and throw it in the gas tank. What a great idea that was!

:sarcasm:

[comtec]

6. except that corn was never meant for human consumption

false equivalent, but nice try.
hell using soy and corn for fuel has probably increased overall production in the country, considering how much of the us' farm land is subsidized not to grow anything (as opposed to fields which are just resting).


putting that aside... consider that ethanol isn't adding to the sum total of carbon, where fossil fuels are.

I have a 98 Dodge Neon (ZOMG it was actually made in the USA too) and im in Minnesota. E85 is about 39 cent a gallon cheaper. when a 11g tank costs me 30 dollar to fill up every penny becomes valuable!

btw MY CAR GETS 30-35 MPG on the freeway, and it's automatic FWD is handling the snow rather well... it's driver a bit less so :p

If you want things to improve... try using corn that was used for HFCS in that ethanol!

you'll save the air AND your kids' lives at the same time.

[truthisfreedom]

7. Meant? Like someone designed it?

Humans love corn. And many cultures rely on it.

[comtec]

8. *facepalm* point missed completely. nt

[Crowman1979]

9. Well how do you explain the Mayans and Aztecs?