OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency cleared the way Friday for a higher blend of ethanol to be sold nationwide for the third summer in a row, citing global conflicts that it says are putting pressure on the world’s fuel supply.
The agency announced an emergency waiver that will exempt gasoline blended with 15% ethanol from an existing summertime ban. Gasoline with 10% ethanol is already sold nationwide, but the higher blend has been prohibited in the summer because of concerns it could worsen smog during warm weather.
It’s up to 25 cents per gallon. And that makes a huge difference to low-wage workers who rely on their cars to get to their jobs.
I am all for reducing pollution and reducing the need for new car sales, but not at the expense of poor people.
Do you support carbon tax? I’d have thought most Lemmings would. Letting prices rise without needing to pass carbon tax legislation should offer similar benefit: If people think twice about using gas due to price, and seek alternate ways to commute, like bikes, trains, carpooling, etc. then that’s good for the environment. And that’s in addition to the environmental advantages of not producing more ethanol.
A carbon tax should be on corporations, not people. Poor people are the only ones who really suffer from high gas prices.
One exception to that. Above a certain income high income, it should be on people too.
I’m doing fine financially. I drive on electricity generated from the solar panels on my roof. Both the car and the panels were expensive. Not enough folks have the opportunity to make the choices I did. Those that are well off should either have to use some of that wealth to buy carbon free solutions, or pay the carbon tax that can go toward subsidizing solutions for those that can’t afford it.
Can’t wait to have to replace the car I paid off because we’re running it into the ground faster - I make less than $30k though so I won’t be able to.