U.S. congressional Democrats are pushing for a federal gas tax increase of 15 cents a gallon over the next three years to help fund a long-term transportation bill but Republicans are not only vowing that there will be no tax hike, they have introduced the Transportation Empowerment Act, which would lower the gas tax from its current 18.4 cents per gallon to 3.7 cents in five years.

Really! Advocating increased taxes, Dr. Alison Premo Black, of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association stated that gas tax increases do not cause a gallon of gas to go up the same amount as the added tax, but instead, on average, rise only 22 percent of the extra tax the first day following an increase, and about 33 percent of the increase a month later. Yeah sure . . . And there is a bridge in NYC still for sale at a bargain price.

In recent months, Kum & Go, which has more than 430 convenience stores in 11 Midwest states, and Sheetz, also with 430 locations but in six Mid-Atlantic states, announced plans to start selling E15 at a combined 125 of their locations. According to Ethanol Producer Magazine, this would more than double the current amount of E15 outlets in the U.S.

The USDA is giving up to $100 million in grants to states for testing and evaluating different ways to market E15 and E85.

State lawmakers in Iowa and Nebraska are promoting ethanol availability by providing funds to help upgrade fuel dispensers, replace underground storage tanks, and convert vehicles to alternative fuel use.

In recent months, Kum & Go, which has more than 430 convenience stores in 11 Midwest states, and Sheetz, also with 430 locations but in six Mid-Atlantic states, announced plans to start selling E15 at a combined 125 of their locations. According to Ethanol Producer Magazine, this would more than double the current amount of E15 outlets in the U.S.

The USDA is giving up to $100 million in grants to states for testing and evaluating different ways to market E15 and E85.

State lawmakers in Iowa and Nebraska are promoting ethanol availability by providing funds to help upgrade fuel dispensers, replace underground storage tanks, and convert vehicles to alternative fuel use.

74% - Of Americans say they are not sure of the legality of putting high-level ethanol gas (over 10 percent ethanol) into small engine products (by federal law it is illegal)

63% - Use least expensive grade of gasoline whenever possible

47% - Admit they check the fuel pump for any warning labels when fueling up their cars at gas stations

23% - State that they notice the ethanol content on the fuel pump

Progresses

1,307 - Rebates approved by the Propane Education & Research Council for new propane mower purchases ($2,000) and qualified conversions ($1,000) during the double incentive period (Oct. 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015)

2,941 - Incentive applications received by PERC since 2012

In what is being hailed as "precedent setting," the 2015 Ford Transit is the first vehicle to be approved for the plug and play technology of Blossman Services' bi-fuel propane autogas system, which requires no drilling of the intake manifold, nor cutting/splicing of wires.