Originally Posted by ragtoplvr
with the corn planting missed and prospects for a small harvest expect ethanol prices to go way up. Hope they come to their senses and allow us to get real gas.
Rod
Could be, but corn prices don't dictate ethanol prices. Ethanol is traded on the same commodity exchange as gasoline and diesel. Some ethanol is imported. Corn futures prices are not really much higher than before the flooding situation in the midwest. In August 2012, corn prices were around $7.90. Corn futures right how are about $4.30. Now, it is up a little, from a few months ago, but nothing spectacular. Ethanol closed on the commodities exchange around $1.53. The futures trading market for the next 12 months shows very little change.
Only 7 states require ethanol laced gas to be sold. The feds do not mandate what goes on at the pump. The feds allow any station to sell ethanol free gasoline. Only states play the little games about whether it is readily available. For instance, I live in ethanol central. Surrounded by corn fields and 46 ethanol plants. The corn lobby rules the roost here. But I can easily get ethanol free gas if I want it at a dozen locations all within 11 miles of me. Would be closer but I live rural and I am 11 miles from 3 different towns. I can get ethanol free at several locations in each town.
You want ethanol free fuel readily available, then get a bunch of your neighbors and show up to your state capital with pitchforks and torches and demand it. OOPS... I didn't look closer, Rod. You are in one of those 7 states that requires it. Again, beat on your hired help in Jeff City and demand a change.