Don't forget to look at the big picture that:
(1 )we North Americans are energy hogs for we have been relying on personal mode of transportations for so many decades, with poorly-planned/ailing transportation infrastructure that couldn't properly sustain the population activities that people still "believe" that driving an automobile is their "born" rights, kinda like their first amendment.
(2)so long as we and the short-sighted government still believe that such infrastructure and mentality holds and no dramatic changes to be put into action in anticipation for the future, we are, still, one of the biggest energy hogs in the world, consuming energy like you won't believe.
Side note:
(a )China is following the same "formula" as America RE: industrialisation and economic developments based on inefficient city and transportation planning --- meaning that they would resort to laying down lots of highways and byways instead of fortifying their railroad tracks, etc. As the need for personal/commercial mode of transportation grows in China, so is the need for energy (fossil fuel, anyone?)
China will take over the reigns of being the biggest energy consuming nation than US within the next 15 years or so.
(b )we North Americans have taken on a lifestyle that promotes inefficiency: body weights, creature comforts(that now came stock in automobile features and options), use of inefficient appliances/lifestyles, etc. and as long as we believe in such practice, cutting down of importation of foreign energy (e.g. fossil fuel, etc.) by means of introduction of domestically-produced energy substitutes (such as ethanol mixed with gasoline, etc.), will not make much difference in reduction of overall consumption of energy.
So, back to the subject of E-10, E-15 and/or energy consumption. I wouldn't comment of government policy but to take full accountability/blame on my own energy consumption to fuel my daily activities.
(*well, I should take it back: I only use my personal mode of transportation about 6 times a month, covering approx. 60kms in total; while other times I take public transportation (train) to work. I also use CFLs and high-efficiency 2-stage gas heater furnace (AFUE 96.7%) to warm my house, and perform regular energy audits on all things consumping energy/electricity).
Q.
