ECOSOX

Cargill Inc. gambled with it's decision to build a third ethanol-producing factory. With a capacity of about 220 million gallons between it's two current factories, Cargill's third plant will increase their total capacity to about 335 million gallons a year. After years of declining ethanol demand, why would Cargill be building? It has been conceived that Cargill Inc. chose to construct the huge addition in anticipation that federal regulators would soon allow a 15% ethanol/gasoline mix, raising the limit from the then current federal limit of 10% ethanol. If this was indeed the case, the gamble paid off. 

Inc. is one of twenty companies approved for the production of E15 Ethanol (15% ethanol). The move is expected to help hold down gas prices which have been projected to rise to over $4 a gallon across the U.S. this summer. Before E15 can go on sale, the EPA must approve a series of steps to prevent vehicle misfueling. Another delay will be the fact that most gasoline stations will need new pumps to addequately handle the new fuel mix. Even with this, it has been speculated that we could see E15 at our local gas pumps as soon as mid-summer of this year, 2012.

There seems to be an aura of hope currently around this issue. Not only is it a step to cleaner burning fuel, it can also be a major influence on the drastically rising gas prices. Moving to E15 will also help reduce the United State's dependance on foreign oil. It's hard not to feel excited at the prospect of another small step towards a greener tomorrow. What do you think? Comment below, I'd love to hear your opinions!

The current list of EPA approved E15 manufacturers is available here.