HELLO READERS - HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Hello Readers..........well, LSU's "Honey Badger" didn't get the Heisman, but the publicity should propel him for a much better showing next year, provided he continues to perform to the level he did this year, and stay out of trouble.

I know many LSU fans were upset to learn that the Tigers must play Alabama in "The Game of the Century - Part II" for the BCS National Championship on January 9th of next year. The Tigers opened a 1 point favorite, primarily due to the game being played in the Superdome, which is essentially a home field for the Tigers.

I haven't posted on the Blog in awhile, but I thought you might be very interested in this article which I found today. This action by Congress may in fact delay if not kill the "E-15" or 15% ethanol gasoline issue for awhile, although I'm sure the ethanol lobby group will fight "tooth and nail" to try to get 15% ethanol gasoline to market. Here's the article:

PS: I urge all readers to check their owners manuals regarding fuel recommendations. Even though the EPA, in it's approval of 15% ethanol gas indicated it was safe for 2001 and newer passenger cars and light trucks, many 2001 and newer vehicle owners manuals disagree. I have a 2008 Mercury Sable and a 2009 Ford F-150. Both vehicle owners manual warns "do not use fuel with greater than 10% ethanol. Any engine damage caused by use of other than specified fuel may result in engine damage and may not be covered by vehicle warranty"!

Last Updated: December 10. 2011 1:00AM

Lawmakers: Block ethanol blend

Bipartisan group says use of E15 may cause damage to engines

David Shepardson/ Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington —A bipartisan group of more than 70 House members is urging a congressional block on higher levels of ethanol blended into gasoline.

Automakers and other engine makers have clashed with corn growers since 2010 over whether the United States should allow the use of a new blend of ethanol called E15 because it is 15 percent biofuel. The Environmental Protection Agency has approved the use in all vehicles from 2001 and newer.

In August, the EPA approved fuel labels designed to warn drivers of older vehicles not to use the fuel, but it still must be registered before the fuel can go on sale. In February, the House voted 285-136 to block the EPA from moving ahead with E15 regulations.

Now, in a letter to the top Republican and Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, members of Congress want the block on higher ethanol levels included in a spending measure to fund the government's operations through Sept. 30.

"E15 is not ready for prime time," said the letter signed by Reps. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township; Mike Rogers, R-Brighton; John Conyers, D-Detroit; Tim Walberg, R-Tipton; Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland; Darrell Issa, R-Calif.; and Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., among others. The amendment to block the fuel is co-sponsored by Peters and Rep. John Sullivan, R-Okla. "More thorough research and testing are necessary to ensure that E15 will not harm consumer investments," the letter said. "The desire to allow for more ethanol to enter the transportation fuel pool should not trump sound science."

Automakers and other groups have opposed approval of E15, warning it could damage engines in some models. Automakers "unanimously expressed concerns that E15 is likely to harm engines, void warranties and reduce fuel efficiency," said the congressional letter. The letter noted that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory says E15 causes significant damage to marine engines. Automakers have twice filed suit challenging approval of use for the fuel.

Growth Energy, an ethanol trade group that first sought the approval for the fuel in early 2009, said previously it expected E15 to be at pumps by the end of 2011. That seems unlikely now.

The group says it is essential to move to the higher blend in order to use the higher amounts of ethanol required by Congress under a 2007 energy act.

It says more than 136,000 new green-collar jobs will be created nationwide by moving to E15.

Opponents of ethanol argue that the use of more than 40 percent nation's corn has boosted food prices for consumers and feed costs for farmers. For the first time this year, more corn was used to produce ethanol than to feed animals in the United States.

dshepardson@detnews.com

(202) 662-8735

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20111210/POLITICS03/112100322/Lawmakers--Block-ethanol-blend#ixzz1gCVGzzti

"Pete" Landry...........comments welcome.............at.................. way2gopete@yahoo.com