Updated:2006-04-27 17:23:29 Are There Problems with E85? By ED WALLACE || BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE During the comment period for the RFG (reformulated gas) program, supporters of ethanol had argued that the volatile organic compound (VOC) emission standards in the program -- 42 U. S. C. 7545 (k) (3) b (i) -- would preclude the use of ethanol in RFG because adding ethanol to gasoline increases its volatility and raises VOC emissions, especially in the summertime. Background The American Petroleum Institute v. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [Docket #94-1502 (Heard by the U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and decided on April 28, 1995)] If there were ever a time when the truth in advertising standards should be put back into place, it's now -- during the current (third) attempt to convince the public that the massive use of corn-derived ethanol in our gasoline supply will alleviate our need for foreign oil. Ultimately, the answer to just one question determines ethanol's actual usefulness as a gasoline extender: "If the government hadn't mandated this product, would it survive in a free market?" Doubtful -- but the misinformation superhighway has been rerouted to convince the public its energy salvation is at hand. Full Article
Ethanol will probably play a big part in alternatives to gasoline but it can't replace it. If done correctly, it will help even more but hybrids, diesel, electric, natural gas, solar, wind and maybe even fuel cells will all help to increase our options and help reduce our dependence on oil but with the possible exception of electric, none are independent from petroleum so none can wean us off of oil entirely. What we really need to do, however, is learn to conserve what we have and stop being so gluttonous.
