CarlG
Well-known member
Saw this at work today:
ExxonMobil opposes a U.S. government plan to increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into gasoline beyond the current 10 percent.
Through complicated legislation called the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Congress has mandated that refiners, including ExxonMobil, blend increasing amounts of ethanol, largely based on food crops, into the nation’s gasoline supply.
Most gasoline sold in the U.S. today contains up to 10 percent ethanol, a level that most engines can use without damaging their components or the fuel system. But it is estimated that as many as 85 percent of cars on the road today are not equipped to handle blends above the 10 percent threshold.
In addition to engine damage, blends higher than 10 percent can increase the possibility of leakage from service station storage tanks. Smaller engines, such as those found in motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and lawnmowers, are also vulnerable to ethanol-blended gasoline.
Despite this, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into gasoline in 2017, with potential consequences that can include damage to engines and fuel systems, loss of automotive warranty coverage and increased food prices. ExxonMobil believes that transportation fuels should be reliable to meet consumer needs, consistent with automobile and engine manufacturers’ recommendations and compatible with our transportation fuel infrastructure.
Consumers oppose increase
A recent survey of Americans found strong majorities in opposition to increasing the ethanol mandate:
More than three-quarters of those surveyed (77 percent) said they are concerned about potential government requirements to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline beyond the current 10 percent – and the damage to engines and fuel systems that may happen as a result.
The same percentage expressed worry that automobile manufacturers may not provide warranty coverage for damage caused by using fuel with an ethanol blend over 10 percent in vehicles not specifically designed for it.
Similarly, more than three-quarters (76 percent) answered that they are anxious about how increased use of corn for ethanol could raise food prices and impact the levels of hunger around the world.
ExxonMobil supports free markets
ExxonMobil does not oppose biofuels. In fact, the company is investigating the promise of second-generation biofuels that don’t compete with food production for land and water, especially as some of these fuels may offer the potential to help expand energy supplies while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
The company does, however, oppose mandates that distort the free market, ultimately increase costs to consumers and do not achieve environmental goals. More than 97 percent of all biofuels used in the U.S. are based on food crops such as corn. There are significant shortcomings of using corn ethanol, including its impact on land use. Research has also shown ethanol from corn can actually result in higher overall greenhouse emissions and require greater quantities of water than gasoline.
The EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed ethanol increase. Please consider responding as a member of the ExxonMobil Citizens Action Team, or submitting a comment directly on this issue to the EPA online. The public comment period ends on July 11, 2016.