LDB

Ethanol was actually the first oxygenate used in significant quantities, in high altitude Colorado in the winter to help with their CO problem back in the 1970’s. But as the ethanol lobby pushed for more, they made the mistake of having the legislation written to demand oxygenates, not the specific oxygenate ethanol. Turns out MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) was far more economical, so the mandate was mostly met with that compound. Unfortunately, it is water soluble and showed up in drinking water as a result of inefficient 2-cycle outboard engines on lakes, and leaking gas station tanks, so was banned.

By that time, fuel injection had come into play, so oxygenates no longer had any environmental benefit, and by any intelligent measure, the oxygenate mandate should have been cancelled. The initial benefit had been because with carburetors, there was no fuel to air feedback loop, so using an oxygenate made the engine run leaner, hence less pollution. But with fuel injection and its feedback loop, fuel to air was automatically adjusted, so oxygenates no longer had any pollution benefit. Trouble is, the ethanol lobby is very strong (farmers growing the corn and fat cat investors backing ethanol plants), so they managed to get the rules shifted to specify ethanol, which is really what they had wanted in the first place.

Unfortunately for the consumers, the Republicans were too firmly in the pocket of the farmers and rich investors, and the Democrats are too unquestioning in their support for anything that is claimed to be environmental, so the Republicans and Democrats cooperated to give us ethanol. As noted in post #28, it’s collective political stupidity of the highest order.

mbaessler

If you are looking for E0, here is the website. Just select your state.
https://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=UT

speedlink

nothing good about Ethanol at all. It costs all of us in many forms. Increased parts costs to combat the destructive effects of the ethanol. Loss of mileage.
We can only hope and pray the current administration severely limits the EPA in all its harmful rules and regulations.

Gonzo

If the Iowa Cacus was not the first step in the presidential primary process, never would have happened or even discussed no benefit to anyone but the corn lobby.

Jaylars

Only for the boat and ATV.