The Ethanol Papers - Paperturn manuscript - Flipbook - Page 186
Obama did deliver a very promising energy speech in August 2008, prior
to winning the Democrat nomination and the presidency, he accomplished nothing once he was in office. Although new vehicle sales in 2015
and 2016 hit record highs, it was due to a very long pent-up consumer
need for new vehicles to replace aging vehicles (the traditional new vehicle buying cycles had been disrupted by the long recession that began in
2000). The increase in sales was also helped by a flood of dangerous
subprime auto loans that will probably wind up causing another economic
crash similar to the housing crisis.
Moreover, since 2016's record sales were due primarily to the increase in
sales of SUVs and pick-up trucks, which deliver the worst energy efficiency, there is absolutely no justification in crediting these sales to
Obama's non-existent energy accomplishments.
In any event, worrying about increasing MPG in new vehicles is totally
irrelevant; it is addressing the problem from the wrong end. We have hundreds of millions of gasoline-powered vehicles on the road. Between trying to extend gasoline MPG a few percentage points every few years, and
waiting for a time when electric cars become dominant (if ever), we are
on track to poison all humans. And if man-made climate change is real,
and greenhouse gases from vehicles are the primary cause, then we will
all be dead long before electric cars ever get the chance to take over.
However, right now, today, the vast majority of the vehicles on the road
can safely, economically, and healthfully use far higher ethanol blends
than E10. And the overwhelming majority of the majority of vehicles on
the road can use E85 with little or no engine modifications. This would
have an immediate and dramatic effect on all harmful emissions. It would
also boost the horse power in most cars and light trucks and save us all
money. It would also be a great boon to American farmers and the American ethanol industry. The EPA has known this for years. The EPA and
the Obama Administration have stood in the way of making it happen (the
Bush Administration was equally complicit).
Instead of fantasizing over the evil you wish Donald Trump will be responsible for, fight for real solutions that can really save lives, really quickly.
