Ethanol Is the Safe Option

Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Agency/Executive Branch, Federal Regulation, Health Concerns/Benefits, Marketing/Market Forces and Sales, Opinions, Policy, South Dakota, Sustainability

January 18, 2019

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by Doug Sombke (South Dakota Farmers Union/Tri-State Livestock News) … Well, let’s hope we don’t see the price at the pumps go up. Instead, let’s use more ethanol.

What I’m suggesting is oil companies increase the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline – from the mandatory 10 to 30 percent.

And, my reasons are not purely economic. Without higher ethanol blends, a century of research shows the only way to better octane ratings is more carcinogens.

Let me explain. There’s no such thing as pure gasoline. Typical gasoline is made up of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent other petroleum products. And, anywhere from 25 to 40 percent are classified as highly toxic carcinogens. These aromatics include: benzene, toluene and xylene or BTEX.

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In return for every gallon sold, Glacial Lakes Energy donated 30 cents to the local Boys and Girls Club, up to $50,000.

Consumption went up by 600 percent. The campaign is over and Watertown drivers continue to fuel up with E30.

What’s the holdup?

The crux of this issue, to quote my friends at the Urban Air Initiative, “is that the EPA is relying on science that routinely and knowingly discounts the value of biofuels. Extensive research has shown that regulations are being implemented based on vehicle testing that uses fake test fuels. But, even if unbiased science was allowed to play out in these tests, the regulations that the EPA creates are prohibitive for development and production of any alternative to petroleum-based fuel products.”

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It not only helps our farmers who raise corn, feed the coproducts to cattle and their rural communities – ethanol could begin saving lives if the EPA will begin to follow guidelines of the Clean Air Act and hold oil companies accountable. READ MORE

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