OFF THE WIRE
UPDATE
Florida Bill to Eliminate Ethanol Requirement Signed Into Law
Heeding the call of angry consumers increasingly wary of the corrosive
effects of ethanol blended gasoline, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed
into law legislation to repeal the requirement that all gasoline offered
for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol. Under previous
law, the Florida Renewable Fuels Standard required that all gasoline
sold or offered for sale by a terminal supplier, importer, blender or
wholesaler in Florida contain 9-10 percent ethanol, or other alternative
fuel, by volume.
Ethanol increases water formation which can then corrode metals,
plastics and rubber, especially over a period of time when the vehicle
is not used. Current high performance specialty parts along with
pre-model year 2001 cars and parts may be most susceptible to corrosion.
The life span of vehicles and equipment can be dramatically reduced
with the wrong fuel and owners are often confronted with break downs.
While the ethanol mandate did not apply to fuel used in collector
vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles or small engines, there has
been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be
damaged by ethanol.
Thank you and congratulations to all who participated in supporting this bill!