The house patted itself on the back this past session when they passed a bill that would allow for the oil companies to remove the "Ethanol" label from gas pumps. The idea behind this was that the consumer would purchase more Ethanol if they did not know they were purchasing Ethanol (hmm-mm, deceptive product identification, isn't that illegal?). It might have been a better idea to drop the price of Ethanol down to the same levels it is in neighboring States. On the average Ethanol in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado are .05 to .10 a gallon cheaper than fossil fuel. With Ethanol being a renewable resource and considering the fact that Kansas is the largest producer of Ethanol in the world wouldn’t it make more sense to drop the price of Ethanol to get the consumer to purchase rather than hide the fact that some fuels contain Ethanol? Ethanol is a very good product for the Farmer, the Consumer and the Economy but we need to deal with it and it’s marketing responsibly and to the benefit of all not just a few.

When passing the bill it was stated that Ethanol was identical to fossil fuel and had no adverse affects on internal combustion engines. This is not true! 2 Cycle engines such as, some motorcycles, power mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, etc., use Teflon and nylon washers and needles in the carburetors. The effects of 10% Ethanol on these engines is dramatic, drying out and melting the nylon and Teflon parts. Without labeling the consumer will not know when they are using Ethanol until they have to take their damaged equipment in to have it repaired.

Now you may ask yourself how I know this and the answer is simple.... Yesterday I had to have the carburetor rebuilt on my $250.00 lawnmower because I unknowingly used Ethanol in it. It is my feeling that more study should have been done on the effects of Ethanol before the House bowed to the Oil and Ethanol Industry and removed the informational labeling from fuel pumps. I cannot say this enough, If you want to sell Ethanol don't disguise it, reduce it!

Until more research is done and corrections are made to the bill please be careful and know what you are putting in your tank because without the right additives your 2 cycle engine may fail!