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Minnesota experienc shows thirst for ethanol evaporating

Grand ForksHerald.com -- Minnesota has been an unofficial testing ground for using ethanol to fuel vehicles, but after years of steady increases, interest appears to be waning.

Despite a push from the governor and an increase in the number of so-called flexible-fuel vehicles on the road — which can run on either gasoline or a mostly ethanol blend — sales of E85 have dipped in recent months, beyond the normal decline in winter months.

In February, sales of E85, a cleaner-burning fuel consisting of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, hit their lowest mark since 2006, according to a new report by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Sales, which bottomed out around 1 million gallons per month, started to rebound this spring but are still lagging last year’s numbers.

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Submitted Jul 04, 2009 By: ifallsguy

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niceguytx Champion Author Houston Posts:8,941 Points:1,744,810 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 5:00:36 PM Ignore niceguytx Report Abuse A lesson learned and one option proved not be very viable.
Tucker1961 Sophomore Author Seattle Posts:202 Points:21,125 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 4:18:06 PM Ignore Tucker1961 Report Abuse E85 Sucks, Shitty mileage, low BTU's, Sends up the price of food up. To fuel the country with that crap. you would have to plant 3/4 of the countries farmland with corn. Stupid idea. We would pay $5 for an apple
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:3,974 Points:1,147,710 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 2:20:27 PM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse Consumers are the guinea pigs for many bad ideas, usually ones that come from a socialist leaning government.
purvismike Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,495 Points:301,910 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 1:31:27 PM Ignore purvismike Report Abuse Ethanol SUCKS! Convert to Natural Gas to use as a bridge until a better Alternative/Renewable Fuel can be proven the one for all time use!
NavyEOD Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,134 Points:1,057,565 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:59:55 PM Ignore NavyEOD Report Abuse We need other alternative fuels.
Plebe2001 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,251 Points:405,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:59:02 PM Ignore Plebe2001 Report Abuse Ethanol; has also hurt the consumers by creating a shortage of corn in the market. RAISING NOT ONLY THE PRICE AND SUPPLY OF CORN, BUT RAISING THE COSTS FOR MANY FARMERS WHICH USE CORN AS FEED. THIS IN TURN HAS RAISED PRICES OF THOSE PRODUCTS.
Plebe2001 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,251 Points:405,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:57:09 PM Ignore Plebe2001 Report Abuse Ethanol, like the Democratic party will turn out to be a major mistake.
jwalkerh Champion Author Louisiana Posts:2,092 Points:559,875 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:55:44 PM Ignore jwalkerh Report Abuse Does anyone think the state of the economy is having a major effect on the consumers buying power?
pricechecker08 Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,087 Points:833,365 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:54:11 PM Ignore pricechecker08 Report Abuse Ethanol was hurt by oil companies running it down.
finch2dancandy Rookie Author Georgia Posts:71 Points:10,760 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:52:52 PM Ignore finch2dancandy Report Abuse First of all people are losing their jobs and these cars are not the only ones that are not selling. Prices high pay low.
Wonderdaddie Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,125 Points:197,360 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:50:59 PM Ignore Wonderdaddie Report Abuse We need something, not Ethanol, we need Hydrogen.
foxups Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,252 Points:645,060 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:48:56 PM Ignore foxups Report Abuse prices are going up too
Fitwit Champion Author Stockton Posts:2,068 Points:449,115 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:45:51 PM Ignore Fitwit Report Abuse Corn for cows and other livestock. Less dependence on foreign oil. Less kissing up to the enemy in our midst. More Kiss the Son.
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:4,581 Points:2,107,695 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:44:46 PM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse Nothing like paying more for less. I hate the new math.
ach All-Star Author Illinois Posts:654 Points:331,125 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:42:07 PM Ignore ach Report Abuse I've tried E-85 in my wife's Voyager and was not impressed. I did not notice much difference in performance but got 6 miles per gallon less than with 10 percent blend.
letmathe Champion Author Chicago Posts:9,997 Points:2,281,615 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:40:27 PM Ignore letmathe Report Abuse I want to eat corn, not burn it!
repeater1 Champion Author Kansas Posts:3,431 Points:1,399,370 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:37:38 PM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse Ethanol is not the answer. Several refineries have gone under due to the lack of a market for it. The folks in MN have invested so much money they are trying to make it work, rather than just pulling the plug.
C4U Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,255 Points:814,595 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:36:54 PM Ignore C4U Report Abuse Conservation is the best thing we can do. We still need to implement a fast track to alternative fuels and energy to be come energy independent from foreign support, big oil companies and local utilities monopoly.
Beboper Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,752 Points:1,182,410 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:36:39 PM Ignore Beboper Report Abuse it is a scam save the the corn
reeko Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,267 Points:553,825 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:35:25 PM Ignore reeko Report Abuse ethanol is a scam.
v240 All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:687 Points:656,645 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:34:28 PM Ignore v240 Report Abuse Ethanol has bad - and destructive - idea from the beginning. Mixing ethanol with gasoline decreases the gas mileage in normal engines by more that the percentage of ethanol added. In other words, this procedure actually wastes petroleum fuel. And recently I learned that it also damages engines and fuel systems, requiring repairs that can be both extensive and expensive. This without mentioning the waste of food that corn based ethanol creates. Ethanol is not - and probably never will be - a realistic alternative energy source. Let's move on, and research something else.
calypso93 Champion Author Scranton Posts:7,998 Points:1,000,000 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:31:50 PM Ignore calypso93 Report Abuse Hmm. What if a large car manufacturer made only E-85 cars? And slowly most of the stations sold only E-85. I don't know how that could happen, but it is food for thought.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:2,217 Points:1,152,940 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:29:58 PM Ignore remay Report Abuse ... much of the recent auto industry push to greener vehicles has focused on plug-in hybrids and high-mileage smaller cars...." What "plug-in hybrids" vehicles are being pushed?
DADDYBGG Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,643 Points:526,205 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:29:11 PM Ignore DADDYBGG Report Abuse ethanol sucks!!!! that is why it messes up your car plus i would rather eat corn than burn it in my engine [Edited by: DADDYBGG at 7/4/2009 12:29:58 PM EST]
esquared Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,922 Points:1,140,955 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:26:23 PM Ignore esquared Report Abuse This picnic season, I'm passing on the ethanol and helping myself to corn on the cob!
Skyeja All-Star Author New Hampshire Posts:559 Points:458,525 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:24:31 PM Ignore Skyeja Report Abuse Shouldn't be using any type of food for our tanks. Use refuse of any other kind. Might actually be cheaper in the long run too.
napermike79 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,009 Points:930,960 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:18:35 PM Ignore napermike79 Report Abuse the MN gov't is so deep into this they have to keep pushing it to save face. It was a BAD idea from the start
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:8,741 Points:1,744,865 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:17:47 PM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse Their prices are 25 cents below ours, I always top off before coming back to WI
smoketown Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,880 Points:597,260 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:17:38 PM Ignore smoketown Report Abuse I'M IMPRESSED...
Chazzy12 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,093 Points:428,955 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:15:54 PM Ignore Chazzy12 Report Abuse Find another way to subsidize the US farmer. [Edited by: Chazzy12 at 7/4/2009 12:16:16 PM EST]
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,570 Points:661,355 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:14:19 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse E-85 use is down because, those who own flex fuel vehicles are finding e-10 or lower gived better mpg.
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:10,698 Points:2,142,165 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:06:31 PM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse Gee I wonder why???
gas_too_high Champion Author Columbus Posts:4,349 Points:990,400 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:04:08 PM Ignore gas_too_high Report Abuse Ethanol is at best a niche solution -- IF it's made from non-feedstock sources like cellulosic ethanol, not brewed from corn.
Wwagon All-Star Author Michigan Posts:786 Points:186,545 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 12:01:11 PM Ignore Wwagon Report Abuse It will be interesting to see what happens when gas prices go back up again.
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:4,544 Points:854,760 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:55:14 AM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse Ethanol is not good for the older cars. If ethanol is the only Alternative fuel our Government could come up with, We in trouble.
ftsgt Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,398 Points:1,664,635 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:54:45 AM Ignore ftsgt Report Abuse it sure is
FPLREP Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,350 Points:1,495,955 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:54:38 AM Ignore FPLREP Report Abuse Not to worry "The Messiah" Obama will fix it with more government control!
dl72 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,452 Points:450,685 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:54:04 AM Ignore dl72 Report Abuse I think the answer is another alternative fuel and not E85.
Pi314CA Champion Author San Jose Posts:3,842 Points:700,325 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:53:57 AM Ignore Pi314CA Report Abuse At what point will ethanol be dismissed as an alternative fuel...
thirstyauto Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,119 Points:638,415 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:51:23 AM Ignore thirstyauto Report Abuse Who woulda thunk it??
tmannd All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:682 Points:47,600 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:49:48 AM Ignore tmannd Report Abuse The bad name it recieved has not been proven,and it cuts back on foriegn oil.
phurburger Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,555 Points:530,670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:49:41 AM Ignore phurburger Report Abuse Gee, another government program gone awry. Hmmm, I wonder what the lesson is here?
arvo87 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:2,940 Points:584,615 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:47:28 AM Ignore arvo87 Report Abuse Food for fuel is not a good idea
KerryDeland Champion Author Florida Posts:2,329 Points:455,165 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:45:52 AM Ignore KerryDeland Report Abuse ?In February, sales of E85, a cleaner-burning fuel consisting of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, hit their lowest mark since 2006, according to a new report by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Sales, which bottomed out around 1 million gallons per month, started to rebound this spring but are still lagging last years numbers." Okay lets look at this paragraph..... ".. hit their lowest mark since 2006" And the price of gas in 2006? I remember it being in the same range maybe slightly higher, which would account for the simular rating. "..are still lagging last years numbers" The price of gas LAST year? MAYBE that is why interest is not as high since we are STILL at the mercy of OPEC, just not as much right now.
hectorsosajr Sophomore Author Utah Posts:220 Points:311,780 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:44:08 AM Ignore hectorsosajr Report Abuse Ethanol is not a good fuel. People have been taking the path of least resistance, hence all of the problems with "Ethanol as fuel" and the fermentation sources. Corn for fuel anyone?
POPSAZ All-Star Author Arizona Posts:650 Points:277,340 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:42:34 AM Ignore POPSAZ Report Abuse why drink skimmed milk when you can have whole
vegaland Champion Author Houston Posts:2,403 Points:501,795 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:41:53 AM Ignore vegaland Report Abuse Ethanol works in Brazil because they use sugarcane and the workers are virtual slaves. In the US, it won't work without massive subsidies.
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:3,008 Points:572,780 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:41:10 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse Ethanol has always been a bad idea. Despite the marketing that the farm interests have been doing, it seems that more ane more people are seeing what a bad idea it is.
Valricoslash Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,763 Points:391,320 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:40:33 AM Ignore Valricoslash Report Abuse They probably figured out theprice of corn for the table is getting too expensive, because they would rather turn it into fuel. Beside, the fuel economy of E85 sucks.
fuelconscious All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:657 Points:233,960 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 11:35:37 AM Ignore fuelconscious Report Abuse E85 is crap. That fuel corrodes the combustion system on the vehicle and it is not fuel efficient at all.