Methinks Florida would do better recommending use of ethanol for screwdrivers. Makes FAR more sense than using alcohol from corn as a fuel and economically competitive alcohol from cellulosic materials is still a “dream of the future.”

The most economically sensible alcohol for fuel would be imported alcohol from sugar cane produced in Brazil but our brilliant politicians have ruled that out by putting a high duty on it and refunding their tax on gasoline ONLY if the alcohol is produced here (and for now at least from corn).

I believe they have already passed legislation requiring many gas stations to supply E 85 (whether not they can sell any). I suspect that is one reason BP, followed shortly afterwards by ExxonMobil, has announced they plan to sell or otherwise dispose of every station they own. A new storage tank would be required. I don’t know about fiberglass tanks but steel ones would corrode, even with zinc sacrificial electrodes. The “legal vultures” probably wouldn’t find it worthwhile to sue Joe Smith, owner of one or two stations but would LOVE to get their hooks into BP or ExxonMobil.

Use of E85 in vehicles not designed for it is likely to lead to problems as well. Even E 10, already required in non-attainment areas, increases the corrosion of vehicle gas tanks (and metal lines and rubber gaskets) and use of E 85 would be disastrous.