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Greg Evers: Let Floridians Buy Ethanol-Free Gas
November 3, 2011
Florida senators Wednesday moved toward eliminating a 2008 law that requires gasoline to include ethanol, amid concerns that the biofuel causes problems in boats, lawn mowers and old cars.
The Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee voted 10-1 to approve SB 238, which would repeal the so-called “Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act.”
But it’s unclear how much of a difference the repeal would make when Floridians pull up to the pump. That is because federal law also includes ethanol requirements, though it doesn’t set specific standards for Florida.
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Bill sponsor Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, said repealing the state law would allow retailers to offer fuel without ethanol — if they can get it from suppliers.
“You’ve got to buy it before you sell it,” Evers said.
But Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, a Democrat from Tallahassee who appeared before the Senate committee to argue against the bill, said ethanol is a way to help move away from reliance on oil.
“We need to diversify our energy mix,” Rehwinkel Vasilinda said. “Florida has gone in the right direction with this.”
The U.S. ethanol industry is dominated by producers who use corn grown in places such as Iowa. But Florida has taken steps in recent years to encourage development of ethanol, at least in part as a way to provide new markets for farmers.
Jerry Paul, a former House member who lobbies for Southeast Renewable Fuels LLC, said the firm is developing ethanol production that would use sweet sorghum grown in Florida.
The 2008 law requires gasoline to include 9 or 10 percent ethanol. Critics, however, say ethanol can damage motors used in such things as boats, lawn mowers and weed trimmers.
Also, some speakers at Wednesday’s committee meeting said it can cause problems in old cars and motorcycles. They argued that motorists should have the freedom to buy gasoline without ethanol.
Lawmakers asked repeated questions about how repealing the 2008 law would dovetail with federal ethanol requirements. In the end, only Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, voted against the repeal.
David Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council, said the federal law requires the industry to supply gradually increasing amounts of biofuels nationally. He said Florida is such a large market that the industry could not meet its requirements without selling ethanol-blended gasoline in the state.
With the federal requirements in place, Evers said repealing the state law would not hurt companies that produce ethanol in Florida.
The state law already includes some exemptions from the ethanol requirements, such as for gasoline used in aircraft and boats. But Evers said repealing the law would increase the ability of retailers to sell gasoline without ethanol and allow “supply and demand” to play a bigger role.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Comments
17 Responses to “Greg Evers: Let Floridians Buy Ethanol-Free Gas”
Amen Jim, as things start to come undone at the Federal Level, We are going to need a man like Mr Evers here at the local or regional level to help hold things together. I know there are many of us who will back him.
Greg Evers is one man that is making a difference for the good in state government. He is a rare breed, one with common sense.
Ethanol production is subsidized by the government and cost more than gas.
Ethanol has far less BTUs per volume than gas. This gives less mileage per gallon.
Ethanol is very corrosive to systems not specifically designed to handle it. It corrodes aluminum carburetors in small engines and the rubber hoses.
Disband the Department of Energy and the EPA, let market forces decide what energy sources we use.
Thank you Mr Evers. We all need to stand behind this man!! He is Florida`s hope…Remember the septic tank law that would take $500 every five years from ALL of us?? He fought hard to stop this crazzy law! He stands for our right to bear arms. He is a NRA member. We gotta keep this common man with common sense in office!! He fights to keep the government out of our every day free choice!!
One thing that makes gasoline so expensive is that it is a manufactured chemical. The ingredients can be expensive.
Another thing that makes gasoline so expensive is that there a many different blends dictated by air emissions standards in many different jurisdictions.
Still another thing that makes gasoline expensive is the governmental taxes levied upon it.
All adding ethanol to gasoline did was to drive up corn prices; it surely didn’t add anything to the fuel. I remember ‘gasahol’ from the 80s; did like that then, either and it didn’t last long.
Why is the federal government dictating what kind of gasoline we can use? Shouldn’t that be a state or market-based thing? Any time the feds (EPA) get involved things get expensive.
Just sayin’.
I’m so glad that Greg Evers is doing something about this huge problem. We have had to replace our van’s fuel pump twice now and once on our daughter’s car. We had to replace our riding lawn mowers fuel pump twice already too. Between the cost of fuel pumps, labor to fix it and towing fees, this problem is ridiculous and taking away money this is needed much more else where!
When I first read this article written by by Jim Saunders of The News Service of Florida he made it sound like it was currently against the law to purchase ethanol free gas in FL. Since I just purchased 5 gallons for my lawn mower and edger at the Parade station mentioned by “flguy” I was concerned….but after reading all of the comments revealing that many others are selling/purchasing ethanol free gas I guess I’m not violating any laws. Thanks Sen. Evers.
I was gonna say,,
I know of three stores that carry ethanol free gas
Gee Willies in cantonment
Parade New Warrington and Jackson
Local Yockal in milton
I don’t know how Evers finally lucked on to a good idea but I believe he is spot on with this. Let’s start eating our corn again rather than subsidizing those ethanol plants to make the stuff. I haven’t had any of the issues others are talking about but the whole ethanol scam just doesn’t make sense.
Ethenol free gas is available now at the Gee Willie’s Shell Station in Cantonment. Last time I filled all my cans up it was $3.999 per gallon
Removing the Florida mandate of ethanol in gasoline will not result in ethanol free gasoline again.
The retailer will be allowed to sell either.
Demand will dictate what the retailer sells.
Also, will the retailer install another tank and another pump in order to sell both ?
Some might, some wont.
Right now ethanol free gasoline is available at some stations.
But since it is only some stations, they can charge more.
Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda is showing her ignorance. It takes more oil to produce an equal amount of energy from corn. In other words, it is a net loss of energy to use corn and increases our dependence on oil. Not counting the rise in the cost of food. TEA! Fair Tax!
Tallyho,
Where are you finding ethanol-free gas?
Ethenol ruined the carbs on my boat motor 3 times this past year, and my lawn mower once. Stuff is worthless, and is driving food prices up as well.
Anyone else noticed the price of corn lately?
Does the general public know that ethanol laced gasoline isn’t allowed in piston engine aircraft? If it ruins fuel systems, why in hell do they mandate its use? And… the answer to the above question regarding the price of gas is that Florida’s taxes are much higher than Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Ain’t that nice?
I was in Ms a couple of weeks ago and a BP station sold only regular and other gas without ethanol at the same price as gas with ethanol. But in Cantonment the ethanol free gas is much higher. WHY?
Thank you Mr Evers.
If I chose to pay more to keep the ethanol out of my cars/mower/generator it is NOT up to the government to force me to put something in my gas tank which globs up the filter and valves, makes my mower and car back-fire, and forces me to put additives in every time I buy gas to fix the crumby gas that is causing these problems!!