Guest Post by Eric Peters
Most of America hasn’t been working for going on a month now because of the hysteria over Corona – which has resulted in the “locking down” of most of the country. It might be months before Americans are allowed by the government to work again.
The very last thing the government ought to be doing is forcing them to pay more than the market rate for anything.
Especially an essential thing – like fuel.
Of course, that’s exactly what it is doing. Every time Americans fuel up their vehicles, they’re unwillingly lining the pockets of the politically powerful agribusiness cartels – as well as foreign ethanol cartels – to the tune of billions via a pervasive but hidden tax on fuel that forces them to pay for ethanol mixed in with their gas.
And soybeans with their diesel.
It’s done under the auspices of something called the Renewable Fuels Standard – which is actually a Carter-era mandate that requires that almost all the “gas” sold in the United States contain at least 10 percent not-gas (ethanol alcohol, made from corn) in order to “conserve” the actual gas.
Same with diesel, much of which is made – via mandate – from soybean squeezings rather than oil.
The RFS is probably the single-greatest (and worst) example of corporate rent-seeking in the history of the United States. A mandated “market” for a product – ethanol and soybeans – that would have a hard time on the free market, if these “renewables” had to sell on their merits.
Or rather, their demerits.
For one, Americans burn more gas – because there’s less energy in “gas” that’s been mixed with ethanol. And their cars emit more gasses – carbon dioxide – because they are burning a greater volume of fuel to go a given distance.
The reason has to do with chemistry as much as crony capitalism..
100 percent gas has about 120,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of energy per gallon. A gallon of 100 percent ethanol only has about 80,000 BTUs of energy. Blend the two – as required by the RFS mandate – and you end up with fewer BTUs – which equals lower MPGs.
Your car doesn’t go as far.
The Department of Energy says a car burning E10 – 10 percent ethanol, 90 percent gas – will experience a reduction in fuel economy of about 3-4 percent; E15 – which contains 15 percent ethanol – reduces overall fuel economy by about 4-5 percent, according to the DOE.
American drivers pay more for the ethanol-adulterated gas, too – several cents more per gallon.
And not just for the ethanol, either.
Vehicle fuel systems have had to be redesigned to accommodate the alcohol force-mixed with gas, which has different chemical properties than pure gasoline – for example, ethanol’s tendency to attract water and “separate out” during storage, accelerating the rusting out of fuel system components such as gas tanks – which are now generally made of composite plastics for this reason rather than steel, as in the past.
It also doesn’t store as well – or as long – in the underground fuel tanks at gas stations, many of which have had to be replaced and the cost of that has been passed on to you-know-who.
Ethanol-laced fuel is especially hard on older vehicles designed before the government imposed the RFS mandate – when gas was still gas.
There is an increased fire hazard in these older vehicles, too, resulting from the deterioration of rubber fuel system parts not made to withstand alcohol-laced fuel. Their engines run hotter because the air/fuel mix has been artificially leaned out – there is literally less gas in the mix – requiring recalibration of their fuel-delivery systems.
Thanks to the RFS (and ULS) mandates diesel now costs more than gas, too – the reverse of what used to be the case, pre RFS/ULS. And, like ethanol-laced gas – contains less energy, so you go less far per gallon while paying more per gallon. 
At least the taxes folded into every gallon of fuel we buy are advertised – you can see what you’re paying for the fuel and for the tax. Thus people are aware of how much they’re being taxed while most have no idea how much they’re being mulcted by the renewable fuels lobby.
And by foreign lobbies.
The RFS mandates an ocean of “renewables” – 36 billion gallons by 2022 – such that even the domestic cartels can’t keep up with enforced demand, resulting in – of all things – ethanol now being imported from other countries.
Americans are being made ethanol dependent – by their own government, not OPEC.
While motor fuels taxes are arguably disproportionate relative to the cost of the thing being taxed (the fuel) they at least go to fund something most drivers would probably pay for without government forcing them to – the roads – without which they wouldn’t be able to drive.
But it’s doubtful many would freely pay for “renewables” that cost them more to go not as far.
Hence the need for government force.
The justification for the application of this force is that it is necessary to “encourage” (that is, force) “renewables” into people’s tanks – chiefly because the oil is running out.
The problem is, it isn’t.
Shortly before the Corona virus broke out, one of the biggest news stories was America’s energy independence. Not because of “renewables” – but because of new discoveries – of immense oil reserves and new means of extraction that have made America the world’s number one producer of oil and on track to be a net exporter.
There is no “oil crisis” anymore – just as no one wears corduroy bell bottoms anymore. The RFS mandate should be relegated to the Goodwill store – on the same basis.
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“before Americans are allowed by government to work again”. Time to stop that train of thought and get off. Tell the government what is going to happen and back it up with the first and second amendments.
It’s worse for diesel, as biofilm builds up insude fuel tanks. At some unpredictable time, it detaches and fouls the engine, causing an immediate shutdown. We own a diesel van & car, adding an anti-microbial every 5K miles.
If you’re running reefers, it can be a disaster, as a whole load of food has to be dumped in the trash if not transferred within an hour or so.
Two final notes…One, underground tank cleaning companies have sprung up like weeds to filter water from gasoline and Two, the cost of the diesel additives is very expensive.
I used to mix one gallon of gas to 15-20 of diesel. Had an Oldsmobile diesel wagon 40 years back. Never froze up or had any problems doing it. A diesel mechanic told me to do it and it was easier than messing with additives.
Where do you get the anti-microbial? The quickie-mart at a truck stop? With what brand do you have good results?
Anyone who uses two stroke engines knows better than to use commercial grade gasoline for anything. If you can find a station that offers straight fuel, buy that or else the canned stuff. But ethanol? Fuggedaboutit.
Fortunately, we have 2 stations nearby that still have 100% gasoline for sale, but it is still nearly $3/gal while the mix is $1.50.
Exactly what do you think it does to your engine? Having been a engineer level master mechanic for 20 years I would like to know?
Big AG buys lots of politicians, so they are protected from adverse affects of government.
Sadly this point of contention has been around far too long as it still stands on its own merits. I can only hope the suffering by the major players in this scheme is notched up just a tad.
(LOLOL)
In Iowa of all places you can choose gas with no ethanol as well as several types with varying amounts of ethanol.
Ethanol can get good mileage if you have a very high compression ratio of 16:1 or higher. An engine would probably not last a long time like that however.
Ethanol should be brewed to drink and and enjoy.
Mass producing it for internal combustion engines is a damned shameful waste of alcohol, CO2, and good yeast.
Do you know how many natural gases – like methane – are actually burned off at wellheads because it isn’t profitable to utilize in the commercial markets?
It’s a racket. A racket, I say.
Bio diesel used in blends of 20% or less has been shown to provide better lubricity, high cetane rating, and more power as the molecule contains its own oxygen. Ethanol is trash but to lump all biofuels into that category is fudd bullshit.