Thread: Gasoline
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Old 07-25-2009, 12:24 AM   #20 (permalink)
chuckm
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You're right, it doesn't require them to sell renewable fuel blends... but it DOES require major manufacturers to include it, and if you're buying from a National chain of gas stations, you're getting it, whether you think you are or not.
Sorta. Again, from the FAQ:
Quote:
Most refiners, blenders, and importers are required to use a minimum volume of renewable fuel each year beginning Sept. 1, 2007, and each year thereafter.
Right now, many of the refiners get by with producing enough E10 and E85 to satisfy their required amount of renewable fuel blended, then switching to standard gasoline as they are able. Production costs are still lower for standard gasoline because ethanol sources (ie, agri-sourced feedstocks, mainly corn) couldn't handle the whole nation on E10 and E85. Additionally, they also get credit for biodiesel refining, whose main domestic agri-feedstock is soy.
Also, the math on the FAQ shows that a substantial amount of standard gas is still being produced. The requirement, in 2007, was for 4% of the national fuel supply to come from renewable sources. The goal was exceeded by 25% in 2006. Assuming that 5% of the national supply in 2006 was renewable and has now grown to 8% (1% per year), that E85 accounted for a full 1% of that 8% (probably a conservative estimate given it's popularity in the corn states), and that biodiesel accounted for another .25%, we are left with 6.75%. That means that not quite half of the gas consumed is standard gasoline.
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