E85 Gas – Separating Fact from Fiction!

Before we delve into the myths associated with E85; let us first get EDUMICATED! The “E” in E85 stands for Ethanol. Ethanol is a Biofuel that is derived from the starch of corn. The 85 refers to a mixture of 85% Ethanol and 15% Gasoline that makes up this fuel. Consider yourself LEARNED!

E85 Nets Better Gas Mileage – MYTH!
The use of Ethanol significantly hinders fuel mileage because alcohol (what Ethanol actually is) contains less energy than regular gas. Your miles per gallon could be decreased by as much as 15-30%.

E85 Costs less than Regular Gasoline – FACT!* Not Really Though!
Yes E85 is currently around 20% cheaper than regular gasoline. But keep in mind that you get lesser miles per gallon using E85. So the end result is that you would have to purchase more E85 fuel to go the same distance you would by using regular gas. This would offset the money saved at the pump.

E85 is better for the Environment – FACT!
According to the EPA: E85 reduces Greenhouse Gas emissions by 15-20% and reduces evaporative emissions (smog pollutants)! “Ethanol currently is the only compound that can be blended with gasoline to help reduce global warming,” according to a recent study by Smog Reyes.

Ethanol uses Corn that could Feed the Hungry – MYTH!
The corn that is used for Ethanol production is not the same corn used for human consumption. It is the corn used to feed livestock. So are we using up all the corn that is food for animals? Again, No! Ethanol is made from the starch in this corn; the nutrients, minerals, and protein that remain is still used in the production of gluten feed.


E85 has suddenly become popular for a couple of reasons. First it is a Biofuel which means this is a renewable energy source. Where oil might run out some day….we can go on forever creating Ethanol as long as there are farmers with fields of corn. E85 is also much better for our environment. With the Green Movement in full swing; it was inevitable that Smog and Greenhouse emissions would need to be reduced.


Resources:
http://www.epa.gov/SmartwayLogistics/growandgo/documents/factsheet-e85.htm
http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Biomass/docs/FORUM/Whitten2004.pdf
http://www.smm.org/buzz/blog/e85_ethanol_myths_and_realities
http://e85.whipnet.net/ethanol.faq/topten.myths.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12872060/

California “The Green State”…..Yeah Right!!!

The Govenator signed into legislation recently the “Greenhouse Gas Bill” This “landmark bill that establishes a first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gases.” (http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/4111/) According to the kindergarten cop…..”We must do everything in our power to slow global warming before its too late.” Sounds like a doomsday prophecy for our future. But is this bill really necessary or is it just a ploy to gain popular opinion. Many will argue tooth and nail that there is no such thing as global warming……just like the big Ozone layer debate of many years ago. Along with this bill and the Green Building Iniative….California as a state seems to be on the right track towards environmental friendliness…..RIGHT?

BIG WRONG…….Sweden has recently taken the wind out of our sails by announcing that they will be oil free by 2020. Where California has been taking baby steps, Sweden has gone right for the jugular by making a promise to give oil the boot and focus on renewable energy. Is it possible to have an entirely oil free country. Well we only have to wait 12 years to find out.

While they are dependent on Fossil Fuels for transportation purposes, and nuclear and hydroelectric power for electricity; Geothermal Energy is the future for Sweden, and that is how they plan to accomplish their goal. Ethanol and Biofuels will soon power the cars or Sweden. Wind and wave power may also play a role in Sweden’s renewable energy sources.

Our European friends have been thinking outside the box for years. And California has been twiddling its thumbs most of this time. It is going to take more than 2 pieces of legislation to get us where we need to be in terms of renewable energy.


http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0208-05.htm
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