Could E85 Actually Be Illegal?
I made a comment on Badger Blogger, which got me thinking...
Ethanol is grain alcohol, the type we drink. Right? So, does that make it illegal for persons under the age of 21 to purchase, transport, or use E85? This sounds like a massive conspiracy to prevent young people from driving. And, what if filling your car technically violates open container laws?
If Sudafed can be processed to make meth, couldn't ambitious teenagers distill moonshine from E85? Holy cow! We've got to ban this stuff as quickly as possible! Or, we need to start carding at the pump. But, wait! The old people who can't get voter IDs won't be able to buy gas either!
I'm starting to think that our representatives didn't really think this through.
To get serious for a minute: I think there may be a two ways to fight gasohol.
1) If there are any aspiring lawyers reading this blog, I encourage them to look at the language in existing liqour laws. Can they apply to gasohol? Are they vague enough? It might technically be illegal for us to drive to work or ride the bus!
Alternatively, the legal wording of the gas tax might be questioned. I've mentioned before on this blog that gasohol ought to be taxed less because it contains less actual gasoline. If the wording of the gas tax actually agrees with me, that would be a HUGE embarrassment for the supporters of E85!
2) Do you know any chemical engineers at UW-Madison who are looking for a senior design project? I've got two words: gasohol moonshine! If students at UW can build a liquor still to turn E85 into a tasty cocktail (using household goods), I GUARANTEE the state will reconsider their position when those plans turn up on the internet.
Note: I do not condone or recommend actually drinking the final product. I don't want anyone going blind. But, I do want it to be chemically analyzed to prove that it's technically safe (enough) to drink. If you do try this, remember that there may be chemicals added to prevent the final product from being drinkable.
Ethanol is grain alcohol, the type we drink. Right? So, does that make it illegal for persons under the age of 21 to purchase, transport, or use E85? This sounds like a massive conspiracy to prevent young people from driving. And, what if filling your car technically violates open container laws?
If Sudafed can be processed to make meth, couldn't ambitious teenagers distill moonshine from E85? Holy cow! We've got to ban this stuff as quickly as possible! Or, we need to start carding at the pump. But, wait! The old people who can't get voter IDs won't be able to buy gas either!
I'm starting to think that our representatives didn't really think this through.
To get serious for a minute: I think there may be a two ways to fight gasohol.
1) If there are any aspiring lawyers reading this blog, I encourage them to look at the language in existing liqour laws. Can they apply to gasohol? Are they vague enough? It might technically be illegal for us to drive to work or ride the bus!
Alternatively, the legal wording of the gas tax might be questioned. I've mentioned before on this blog that gasohol ought to be taxed less because it contains less actual gasoline. If the wording of the gas tax actually agrees with me, that would be a HUGE embarrassment for the supporters of E85!
2) Do you know any chemical engineers at UW-Madison who are looking for a senior design project? I've got two words: gasohol moonshine! If students at UW can build a liquor still to turn E85 into a tasty cocktail (using household goods), I GUARANTEE the state will reconsider their position when those plans turn up on the internet.
Note: I do not condone or recommend actually drinking the final product. I don't want anyone going blind. But, I do want it to be chemically analyzed to prove that it's technically safe (enough) to drink. If you do try this, remember that there may be chemicals added to prevent the final product from being drinkable.
9 Amendments:
Most industrial alcohol is "denatured" with small amounts of several different unpleasant/poisonous substances (see this page from the UW-Madison chemistry department) to prevent its use for drinking. For industries where this is not possible, it's used under close federal supervision so that the ethanol isn't taken and used for drinking without paying the $20/gallon excise tax.
I thought that gasohol moonshine was a long shot.
I still think the gas tax angle is a good one.
"I'm starting to think that our representatives didn't really think this through."
--and I'm starting to think you've had WWAAYYY to much time TO THINK this through!!--
it does make sense though (in its own, weird, warped way)
it does make sense though (in its own, weird, warped way)
Spread the word.
Believe me I will!!!! BTW your sense of humor -or lack thereof depending on ones perspective-- is just what the blogsphere needs!!!
Not that I want to lose your readership, but you have to read Dennis York, too.
OHHHHH Believe me, I DO!!!
OHHHHH Believe me, I DO!!!
That's an awfully suspicious statement. You're him, aren't you?
Party at the corner gas station!!!!
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