OPINION:
In addition to the oil-price spike due to the war in Ukraine, there is now likely also to be a huge impact on the world’s food supply of wheat, corn and other grains. The doubling of wheat prices and the freeze on exports from countries that are moderate players in the market are going to do real damage to poorer nations. However, we have the means to alleviate it: Suspend the U.S. ethanol-in-gas requirements.
The ethanol experiment has never produced cleaner air or lower carbon dioxide, nor has it saved petroleum products, since a 10% mix causes a severe drop in engine efficiency. The net result is you are actually burning about 4% to 5% more petroleum than with the old 3% mix. Why? Lower BTUs in alcohol and because alcohol burns more slowly than the gasoline, and the vast majority of it is burned at the very end of the stroke or in the exhaust header.
Environmental Protection Agency test data from during the Bush 43 administration showed this, but not until after Congress made it a law. Many of the same people who pushed that now push electric cars. It does not give one assurance that they have any idea what they are talking about. The EPA data was available for years online but is now blocked.
Big Ag will scream bloody murder if we remove the ethanol requirements, but too bad. The funny thing is if that they reduce it to 5%, the average Joe and Jane will see significant improvement in how their car runs. I use ethanol-free gas and my cars run better, average at least 10% better mileage and easily pass emissions inspections.
JAMES BARENDS
Wayne, Pennsylvania
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