by Rusty Halvorson (KFGO) Speaking at the National Farmers Union National Convention February 26, 2021, South Dakota Chapter President Doug Sombke said ethanol advocates need to prioritize support for a high octane standard in the new fuel economy rule that could triple demand for ethanol over the next decade.
Sombke and NFU are spearheading a “Repeal & Replace” campaign along with ethanol producers and other organizations to ensure the announced revision of the previous Administration’s Safe Affordable Fuel Efficiency (SAFE) rule increases the minimum octane standard in U.S. gasoline and recognizes the significant carbon sequestration benefits of corn ethanol.
Sombke noted that EPA had previously requested comments on octane and how it could be increased consistent with Title II of the Clean Air Act, which includes the requirement that the agency limit toxic and carcinogenic aromatic compounds currently used for octane.
Like other automakers, Porsche is working furiously to develop electric models that will eventually be the brand’s main products. But in the meantime, the company continues to build combustion-powered vehicles that consume fossil fuel. Further, Porsche’s enthusiastic customers have a definite interest in preserving their combustion-fueled driving experience, so the company is likely to continue selling at least some combustion-powered models after the electric revolution has arrived.
As a way to sell such cars without having them consume fossil fuels or add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, Porsche has signed a deal with Siemens Energy to produce synthetic methanol using Chilean wind power. Siemens will convert that methanol to gasoline using a refining process licensed from ExxonMobil. Porsche will phase in this “eFuel” in its race cars and track-driving experience cars at the Porsche Experience Centers as Siemens ramps up production of the wind-sourced fuel.