Comment submitted by B. Fain

The proposed request to increase the ethanol cap from 10 percent to 15 percent has raised a lot of concern over the consequences of such action with no real explaination of any benefits being explained. Facing at least a 10 percent drop in the fuel efficiency of my gasoline driven vehicles has already occured as a result of the ethanol added to the fuel. My diesel truck continues to achieve the same good mileage. Have also experienced the replacement of two lawn mower engines, and a powered chain saw as I didn't realize ethanol-laced fuel will ruin gasoline engines if it remains in the fuel tank and not drained after daily use. The new proposal to have a 15 percent blend will cause damage and be more harmful to the plastic components of the fuel line connections, the fuel pump and will be even less efficient for fuel economy. An EPA study even found that corn ethanol emits more greenhouse gases than gasoline over 30 years when indirect effects such as the plowing of forests to produce more corn crops as a result of increased ethanol demand are considered. Daily use of vehicles, and as consumers, do we really reduce gasoline use, slow down our dependence on foreign oil and help save the environment? It is my contention we are required to fill our vehicles with more gasoline more often, to make up the loss of fuel economy with the ethanol already. During this public comment period on the request to increase the ethanol cap from current 10 percent to 15 percent, my submission is to express my strong opposition to such action. I seek your support to render this proposal to increase ethanel be denied. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. Byron Fain PO Box 536008 Orlando, FL 32853