Biden waiving ethanol rule in bid to lower gasoline prices

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: CNBC

CLIMATE

Biden waiving ethanol rule in bid to lower gasoline prices

PUBLISHED TUE, APR 12 2022 5:41 AM EDT

KEY POINTS
-- President Joe Biden is visiting corn-rich Iowa on Tuesday to announce he’ll suspend a federal rule preventing the sale of higher ethanol blend gasoline this summer as his administration tries to tamp down prices at the pump that have spiked during Russia’s war with Ukraine.
-- The Environmental Protection Agency will issue an emergency waiver to allow widespread sale of 15% ethanol blend that is usually prohibited between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of concerns that it adds to smog in high temperatures.
-- Senior Biden administration officials said the move will save drivers an average of 10 cents per gallon at 2,300 gas stations.
-- Members of Congress from both parties, as well as industry groups, had urged Biden to grant the E15 waiver.

President Joe Biden is visiting corn-rich Iowa on Tuesday to announce he’ll suspend a federal rule preventing the sale of higher ethanol blend gasoline this summer as his administration tries to tamp down prices at the pump that have spiked during Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Most gasoline sold in the U.S. is blended with 10% ethanol. The Environmental Protection Agency will issue an emergency waiver to allow widespread sale of 15% ethanol blend that is usually prohibited between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of concerns that it adds to smog in high temperatures.

Senior Biden administration officials said the move will save drivers an average of 10 cents per gallon at 2,300 gas stations. Industry groups say most of those stations are in the Midwest and the South, including Texas. ... Biden is to announce the move at a biofuel company in Menlo, west of Des Moines. Iowa is the country’s largest producer of corn, key to producing ethanol.

The waiver is another effort to help ease global energy markets that have been rocked since Russia invaded Ukraine. Last month, the president announced the U.S. will release 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve over the next six months. His administration said that has helped to slightly reduce gas prices lately, after they climbed to an average of about $4.23 a gallon by the end of March, compared with $2.87 at the same time a year ago, according to AAA. ... Members of Congress from both parties, as well as industry groups, had urged Biden to grant the E15 waiver.

{snip}

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/12/biden-waiving-ethanol-rule-in-bid-to-lower-gasoline-prices.html

[AllaN01Bear]

1. the gas price hearings was a sham as usual . go after the greedy oil cos and the ceos who raked in

huge profits again

[Initech]

7. Also Wall St insider speculation trading and greedy hedge fund managers.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Who will pay for thedamage to my car? And, this sop to the whiners...

and corn belt will not impress Europeans or Japanese who are paying the equivalent of 5 to 6 bucks a gallon.

[FoxNewsSucks]

3. My first two thoughts also.

Most cars shouldn't use that, and why do we have to keep making it from corn? The least efficient plant for ethanol.

Schmuck Assley and Phoni Ernst (Rs-IA) laugh.

[OldBaldy1701E]

22. Because maryjane is the devil's weed! Think of the children!

[EX500rider]

17. This will be for sale in pumps labeled E15..just don't use it?

They are just letting the stations that carry it to sell it in the summer also. They will still have E10 at other pumps.

[hunter]

4. GD thread here...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216586331

This is a bad idea for many reasons.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

10. I hadn't seen that thread. It's a good one. Thanks. NT

[tymorial]

5. Awesome. There goes my small engines

Not to mention most cars. This is an absolutely stupid decision. I cannot afford to replace my car and won't for 2 more years. My car is already on its way out. And lest anyone question me on maintenance, I have had it for 13 years.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

8. Gasoline engines are legacy technology that is literally destroying the world.

The more destroyed and converted to electric the closer we come to a sustainable future for all remaining life on this planet.

[tymorial]

9. Yup. They are.

Electric is not a viable solution in the short term. The cost to switch is prohibitive and the grid isn't ready for it.

And where will the batteries come from? What materials will they be made from? Lithium? Is the world ready to increase mining by a factor or nearly 9000% Is the process efficient and least destructive? Is there enough lithium or are we simply applying a bandaid?.

Instead of replying with snark and arrogance, maybe spend your efforts on what is necessary to achieve your goal instead of suggesting that I do something I CANT AFFORD NOR CAN MOST PEOPLE.

[Fiendish Thingy]

11. If the government stopped subsidizing fossil fuels, and instead subsidized renewables

EV’s would be more affordable, at least compared to unsubsidized FF vehicles.

But Manchin says no, so we can’t have nice things.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

12. California is leading the way on removing gas engines.

This is happening. and I can't wait for the rest of the nation to catch up. I am sorry you can't afford them right now, but the Biden Administration is ready, and needs our support.

Jennifer Granholm gets it. Here she talks with Chris Hayes about how much gas costs compared to electric. This trend will only continue as we decarbonize our economy.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

15. "I am sorry you can't afford them right now..."

Do you think that might be of some importance?

What is the projected time by which we will all be driving electric vehicles?* **

* Does not include ranchers in Wyoming, who might have to drive too far in weather far too cold for existing technology to come up with something to replace their ICE-powered vehicles.

** Also does not include many ambulances. Or sources of emergency power. Or gas-powered tools used in the middle of nowhere.

Because not everyone gets chauffeured to work in a government-issue SUV in downtown Washington DC.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

20. Well yeah, price matters.

They stated they can't afford it. That sucks, but not everyone can afford legacy engines either. They will be able to as Electric alternatives proliferate. Having a dirty lawnmower wont help a polluted planet, and all the science says we are at the point wher the planet matters more.

If we can maintain electric fuel being cheaper then fossil fuels it will be sooner then anyone imagined. NASA...moon...within decade type of thing.

If that's a dodge, 2024 for generators/lawnmowers is CA law. I think cars is 2032-4. No new sales. As does California, so does the rest.

Ranching needs to end too. Sorry We are a planet of cows already, and with plant based heme the taste is there for the transition.

Obviously there needs to be infrastructure built out. I recall that very thing in build back better. I think the Biden administration is aware of that, and are planning for it.

California has plenty of the middle of nowhere, and we are doing it.

I dont understand the chauffer reference. I usually ride the bus, and live in California.

My point is we have to start. Our world needs it. The President is ready. The Party is ready. There will be challenges, but if we don't support this transition, it wont happen....the pukes will complain no matter what.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

21. "I dont understand the chauffer reference. I usually ride the bus, and live in California."

It's how Jennifer Granholm gets around. Count on it.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

24. Well you not wrong.

And her chauffer is highly paid at that, but the rides electric:

She rocks, and I support her efforts. Another Biden success.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

28. I did not know that. Thank you. NT

[ffr]

16. +1

[madville]

27. I buy Ethanol-free gas for all my small engines

Also top my vehicles off with it regularly too, many stations have it at the pump here in Florida, popular with boaters because ethanol laced fuel is garbage in most things

[DENVERPOPS]

6. Wow

A whopping ten cents a gallon, when the price is 4.23 a gallon (or more)...................

ALL corporations have raised their prices significantly to give them massive record profits, and let the public think it is the Biden Administrations fault. This is nothing new, they have done the exact same thing (inflation) to previous Dem Presidents.......

[rownesheck]

13. What happened

to tapping the oil reserves? That's all I was hearing last week.

[ffr]

14. This may not be possible, specifically as it pertains to Summer gasolines due to RVP

RVP (Reid vapor pressure) is the vapor pressure of the gasoline blend when the temperature is 100 degrees F. Normal atmospheric pressure varies, but is usually around 14.7 lbs per square inch (psi)... If the liquid has a vapor pressure of greater than local atmospheric pressure, that liquid boils.

In the summer, when the temperatures can exceed 100 degrees F/38° C in many locations, it is important that the RVP of gasoline remain well below 14.7. Otherwise, it can pressure up gas tanks and gas cans and it can boil in open containers.

Gasoline that is boiled off ends up in the atmosphere and contributes to air pollution. Therefore, the EPA has declared that the summer gasoline blends may not exceed 7.8 psi in some locations and 9.0 psi in others.

This is why refineries produce a more expensive fuel blends during the summer as it is helpful in cutting down on smog during hot months.

Butane* is a relatively inexpensive ingredient in gasoline, but it has the highest vapor pressure, at around 52 psi. In a gasoline blend, each component contributes a fraction to the overall RVP.

This means that in the summer, the butane fraction must be very low in the gasoline or the overall RVP of the blend will be too high...These factors normally combine each year to reduce gasoline prices in the fall. The RVP is stepped back down to summer levels starting in the spring and this usually causes prices to increase.

* Gasoline Blending Gasoline Blending - EPRINC, Pg 4) U.S. 2015

[PSPS]

18. Is this ethanol use affecting the available food supply?

It seems kind of silly to chase a purported 10-cent-per-gallon (2.1% where I live) price reduction, and the oil companies would likely just keep it anyway to boost their profits. The same can be said for the "federal fuel tax holiday" which would be just a 4% reduction (while further starving necessary infrastructure maintenance.)

[mahatmakanejeeves]

19. The endorsement of ethanol is a bipartisan thing.

You can go way back and find the head honchos of Archer Daniels Midland shanking hands with politicians from both sides of the aisle. Chasing votes is not limited to one party.

[marie999]

23. I guess people who have cars that can't use it can buy ethanol-free gas.

I just checked online, there is a station near me that sells ethanol-free gas, but it costs more. At least it saves me a trip to the marina.

[madville]

26. I buy ethanol free gas most of the time

I’m in Florida so many stations carry it, it’s about 40 to 50 cents more a gallon but can give 5% better fuel economy so it’s somewhat of a wash in vehicles. It’s all I use in my small engines, lawn mower, weed eater, chainsaw, etc.

[MerryBlooms]

25. Not worth the 10 cents for the pollution caused.

Craptastic proposal. I despise this so called fix for a few cents per gallon. Drive less, carpool and conserve every day. $4.59 cash regular is the cheapest here in my area. I try to do all my errands for our house and others, on 2 days, but pharmacies are an issue. I still have to drive to work 4 days a week, no bus. However, at least our errands are on the way. I also cannot afford new vehicle. I drive a 2000 Honda Accord 2dr, manual. I get very good mileage and she has only 101,000 on her. I'm not giving her up anytime soon. I don't drive many miles, obviously. She's perfect because I've taken good care of her. I cannot afford to go into debt for a new vehicle and the insurance cost! I don't have a rich relation with one foot on a banana peel and one foot in the grave, like some.