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My understanding is the State of Indiana is getting worried about the amount of water being used. This is ground water from the various aquifiers that are being depleted. I realize Indiana borders Lake Mich. but low water in the Lake Mich., Huron, Georgian Bay basin is becoming a major problen affecting shipping, pleasure boating and fish spawning areas.
http://drivingethanol.org/userdocs/H...e_Indy_500.pdf
Interesting article on the history of fuels at Indy.
I just read an article on MAPLE LEAF FOODS , a big producer in Canada ,where they are complaining of corn shortages and the steep increase in Corn prices .They put the reason squarely on the switch to use in Ethanol production in the U.S. . They say related food products and corn fed animal farming will increase a minimum 15% as a start. There main issue is supply with the switch from food to fuel.
Getting back on topic, actually there will be gasoline in IndyCar's tanks this year, but only 2% of it.
From TSO:
"The ATF requires that 2% gasoline be added to the mix as a "denaturing" agent. Basically, they make it so you can't drink ethanol because 100% ethanol is really pure grain alcohol.
That 2% gasoline will have some advantages. It makes it so a fuel fire can be seen with an orange flame. Whereas Methanol is clear, the ethanol flame will have some color which is though to be a "plus" for safety. The IRL has studied the fuel and knows how it burns and how to fight an ethanol fire - which is very similar to methanol - meaning water and lots of it."
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozobitis
There's a big todo in Mexico right now about rising tortilla prices for the same reason. Of course the reason they are so cheap in the first place is because the American taxpayer has been paying part of the cost. Now the market is bringing the price up.