![]() Problem: Ethanol Production Diverts Land from Other Uses. As a result, expanding the use of ethanol means using more natural resources, not less. Thus, in order to use more than 5 percent to 10 percent ethanol blended with gasoline will require building a new generation of vehicles to use it, in addition to new storage tanks and pipelines. Furthermore, ethanol corrodes soft metals, and contaminants from corrosion can damage vehicle fuel systems. Under the right conditions, the water can damage car engines. The water can separate, causing pipelines and fuel lines to freeze and, perhaps, burst during cold weather. Ethanol absorbs water and cannot be shipped through existing pipelines used to transport unblended gasoline. Problem: Ethanol Corrodes Pipelines, Storage Tanks and Engines. In addition, poorer fuel economy means vehicles will use more gallons of fuel, which could negate any air quality gains due to fuel economy improvements. As a result, when E85 was $2.91 a gallon in August 2006, for example, it would have taken $3.99 of E85 to equal one gallon of gasoline. Fuel economy fell from 21 miles per gallon (m.p.g.) to 15 m.p.g. For instance, Consumer Reports tested a Chevrolet Tahoe running on E85 - a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. However, ethanol, or grain alcohol, produces 35 percent less energy per gallon than gasoline thus the fuel economy of vehicles burning ethanol is lower. ![]() Congress is debating raising fuel economy standards for vehicles to reduce energy consumption and air pollution. When all of the environmental harms are accounted for, ethanol's costs may outweigh its benefits. Increased ethanol use could pose other environmental problems, including decreased fuel economy and a loss of forests and wetlands. Studies show that burning ethanol reduces the release of the greenhouse gas CO 2 but ethanol has mixed effects on air quality. Concern about global warming and the desire to improve air quality are stoking the demand for government action. Senate would increase mandated ethanol use in blended fuels from 8 billion gallons to 36 billion gallons. An energy bill recently passed by the U.S. There is growing bipartisan political support for increased use of ethanol. 119 registered members ( Safetyman, jaredhunts, !shiloh!, jwalker77, Turkeyneck78, Gobble4me757, odocoileus, Conc49, BCLC, hallb, Goose11, Hornhntr, capehorn24, Hunter454, BhamFred, Coosa1, Zzzfog, doublefistful, Strictlybow, Stickers, Longtine, bamabeagler, bward85, EmeraldTides, Woody1, quailman, robinhedd, HDS64, Joe4majors, Skullworks, BOFF, Ron A., booner, JRF, Jweeks, Auburn_03, FurFlyin, twaldrop4, Ryano, DoeNut, AC870, Yelladog, crenshawco, outdoorguy88, Andalusia, Claims Rep., fingers, Big Game Hunter, MarksOutdoors, Zbrann, ridgestalker, zwick, AlabamaPhi, Beak_Buster, PourIron12, AU7MM08, Swamp Captain, top cat, blade, gobblebox, ColeT, SouthBamaSlayer, seapro19, BradB, CatfishJunkie, 000buck, Vegetarianhunter, Buckhammer, Diesel, jarcher38, DGAMBLER, Remington270, donia, Ridge Life, MS_Hunter, GomerPyle, Chipnalong, sbo1971, oldforester, centralala, JBrown1975, swampoak, FreeStateHunter, AU coonhunter, Scout308, Daveleeal, Frankie, Bamarich2, 4Him146, MountainTopHunter, 3006bullet, AKB, Jstocks, Moss, 300gr, ImThere, akbejeepin, Brownitsdown, M48scout, stuball, T Bone, XVIII, Bull64, trlrdrdave, tombo51, Turkey_neck, Luxfisher, BuckSpear, ALMODUX, 10 invisible),
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