While filling my tank the other day, I noticed a little message stuck to the pump...
The message indicated that the gasoline may be mixed with Ethanol up to 10 percent.
So the positives about this change would be that the ethanol is derived from corn instead of a fossil fuel, the change is forcing the general public to adopt alternative fuels, and it reduces our dependence on foreign fuels. I am amazed Georgia jumped on board...
The negatives of this step seem to keep cropping up. Corn may or may not be our golden solution to energy problems. It isn't like we are putting ears of corn into our tanks, it takes energy to convert the kernels into the fuel and some of this energy is derived from fossil fuels. Apparently Ethanol and rubber are not great friends since engines fitted with rubber parts that would be exposed to the fuel will wear out faster than with traditional gasoline. (Additional problems have been noted with fuel blends that contain more than 10% Ethanol). Not to mention that the amount of corn needed to supply the country is being ravaged by the demand for this fuel. And, Ethanol isn't cheap- it costs almost as much as gasoline due to demand.
So, is there Ethanol in your area? What is your opinion? Were you surprised by the sticker when you filled your tank? What alternate fuels do YOU try to use?
Corn photo from home.howstuffworks.com
"Car" photo from www.tdc.ca
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