One of the many benefits of living in Durango is that we can purchase ethanol-free gas.
Pure-gas.org lists 13,800 North America gas stations that sell it; six are in Durango.
Many are unaware of how ethanol harms vehicles, economies and the environment. Ethanol attracts water vapor to metal, causing rust. Since the feds mandated the inclusion of ethanol in the transportation fuel supply, gas station owners have observed yellow corrosion of the underside of fuel storage tank manholes. Rather than water collecting in the bottom as previously, ethanol forms vapor that circulates and corrodes those covers. If it does that to them, imagine its attack on your car!
Ethanol corrodes rubber and plastics. Ethanol-laden fuel that sits for very long separates itself from gasoline and binds with water. This harmful mixture damages engines (www.buyrealgas.com). You can expect higher repair bills if you’re filling your tank with ethanol.
Gas mileage is worse when you use ethanol-embellished fuel.
If ethanol in gasoline reduces carbon emissions, why is the ethanol mix capped at 10 percent in summertime? Contrary to common knowledge, some environmental groups oppose using ethanol because studies have found it increases air pollution.
Ethanol comes from corn; why would we want to burn our food supply and drive up its price?
The reason is political: Nobody running for president wants to rebuff the powerful corn lobby of Iowa and other farm states that are early presidential campaign venues.
Jon Ellison
Durango
