After hearing the latest excuse for higher prices at the pump, which is an ethanol-additive production shortfall, my annoyance with the ethanol issue amplified. I'm not really against mandating that ethanol be added to gasoline, if that process legitimately lowers pollution- even if that means higher prices. However, since its being coined the only alternative to the notorious MTBE 'clean air' additive, and taking the industry's historic stance on lead additives into consideration, I have my suspicions on its effectiveness based on the word of energy industry studies.

My real problem is the whole 'alternative energy' ethanol loophole legislated by congress in the energy policy act of '92. Instead of holding automakers to the fuel efficiency standards they've set, less efficient vehicles are tolerated if only they produce so many vehicles that can run off E85, which is an 85 percent ethanol mix. The problem with E85 is that there has been hardly any available to consumers with the vehicles. Many people aren't even aware their vehicle runs the fuel. Now, the industry can't even make enough ethanol to meet the demand for the 10-15 percent mixes that everyone burns, much less meeting the needs of the E85 vehicles. This lack of availability annihilates any possible benefit.

Lately, I've even seen ads about some automaker or another's 'green vehicles' that can run off the non-existent E85. The so-called environmental commitment only means less efficient vehicles being produced, which pollute more and cause more harm to our environment than if the deal had never been made in the first place. I was able to contain my disgust over what amounts to outright deception and propaganda until I heard the story about how ethanol isn't even plentiful enough to meet the demands required in the lower-efficient non-alternative vehicles, and how this shortage was going to mean much higher fuel prices this summer.

I'd say 'write your congressman' if I had any hope they'd listen, but unfortunately, I'm sure you'd receive a form letter in lieu of a response. I just hope anyone who reads this will know that companies and politicians touting their E85 commitment to the environment will see it for the environmentally destructive fraud it has turned out to be. Moreover, with the program renewed, our country's efficiency standards can continue to be undermined well beyond the scope of the original statute.


MTBE/ethanol switch stories