However, not every alternative fuel discovered is better than the previous one, which seems to be the current case for ethanol. Locally, businesses are recognizing the consumer's needs regarding more ethanol free gasoline and doing something about it.

Therrell Williams, owner; and Deena Rathbone, manager of Viola's Kitchen and Green Flow Fuel in Mount Pleasant, carry ethanol free gasoline. And, have been doing so since August 2011. However, they are just one out of a handful of other businesses that carry the product locally.

Ethanol is an additive used in gasoline which can be made from feedstock such as cornstover (the leaves and stalks of corn plants). This additive is used to help fuel burn more efficiently which in turn decreases the amount of toxins being released into the atmosphere. Ethanol is alcohol based which means it absorbs moisture. Over time, this moisture will collect and physically separate from the rest of the gasoline. In addition to it absorbing moisture, it's also a solvent. This means that if it's left sitting over for a period of time, it could eat away at a gas tank's lining and other various rubber components that the fuel travels through. Despite all of this, one more concern is that there are still people who own vehicles which were made before the introduction of ethanol gasoline. Which, because of this additive and the vehicle's age is causing "maintenance and efficiency problems," Williams says. In short, Williams emphasizes that older vehicles weren't intended to run on a blended gasoline such as ethanol.

Kevin Austin, general manager of Tolers Cove Marina in Mount Pleasant, explains just how much ethanol has affected business. Ethanol is a "bad word" and it's caused many boat owners a lot of problems, he says. Ethanol "eats away at the outboard engine," Austin says. Getting boat maintenance done at a repair facility when you're close to dry land is one thing. It's a completely different thing when that boat is out several miles in the ocean and isn't able to get back because of brittle hoses or water in the fuel tank that's a result from the ethanol.

Anyone putting gasoline into their tank whether it's a boat, car or truck shouldn't have to worry if it's going to decrease their vehicle's performance down the line.

Williams says that some of his customers have conducted their own studies regarding ethanol gasoline and what effects, if any, it has on their vehicle.

Some have reported that there is a decrease in gas mileage and in the overall performance when using the ethanol gasoline compared to unleaded gasoline.

Currently, it's unclear whether ethanol gasoline will be the new standard alternative fuel since studies are still being conducted. However, perhaps learning more about what helps your vehicle run more efficiently may be your best defense against potential maintenance issues caused by fuel additives.

In addition to providing ethanol free gasoline which is available 24/7 via a pay-at-the-pump, Viola's Kitchen and Green Flow Fuel also provides an alternative to traditional fast food.

(John Starzyk is an intern for the spring semester with the Moultrie News. He attends the College of Charleston.)