This is a case of pretending to do something to help that really won’t help
Biden waiving ethanol rule in bid to lower gasoline prices
President Joe Biden is visiting corn-rich Iowa on Tuesday to announce he’ll suspend a federal rule preventing the sale of higher ethanol blend gasoline this summer as his administration tries to tamp down prices at the pump that have spiked during Russia’s war with Ukraine.
Most gasoline sold in the U.S. is blended with 10% ethanol. The Environmental Protection Agency will issue an emergency waiver to allow widespread sale of 15% ethanol blend that is usually prohibited between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of concerns that it adds to smog in high temperatures.
Senior Biden administration officials said the move will save drivers an average of 10 cents per gallon at 2,300 gas stations. Industry groups say most of those stations are in the Midwest and the South, including Texas.
OK, who has the Gas Buddy app on their phone? If not, hit up their website. Now Find Gas. Choose your zip, type of gas is UNL88. How many stations do you have? In Raleigh there are a grand total of 3. Which, yes, saves about 10 cents. You supposedly get slightly better fuel economy for reduced power. Why not just turn on your econ button? Will makers have time to make more E15? Will they bother to make it when it’s not used that much to start with in most areas? Motortrend noted in 2021
Interestingly, in August 2012, there was only one gas station (out of 150,000) in the U.S. that sold E15 for regular vehicles. Today, almost a decade later? In addition to the QuikTrip outlet in Dallas, Texas, where we found E15 at the pump, there are still fewer than 2,000 retail distributors across 31 states.
So, really, this whole plan will barely make a dent in the price of gas. You know what would? Allowing more drilling in the U.S.
It’s also reported to be not good for any vehicle 2012 and earlier.
Further, is it a good idea to use more food for fuel? Both the NY Times and Washington Post have come out against it in the past. Speaking of the NY Times
March Inflation Report Is Expected to Show Price Increases Getting Worse
The government’s latest inflation report is expected to show that consumer prices increased 8.4 percent in the year through March, the fastest rate since 1982, propelled by rising gasoline costs and higher rents — expenses that are stretching budgets and undermining confidence in the U.S. economy.
Now, if Trump or any Republican was in the White House, it would be about undermining confidence in them. And that’s really why Brandon is pushing his almost worthless E15 waiver, because of inflation. It won’t help, but, his people can say it is.
