Ethanol prices highest in 9 years

Ethanol prices rose this week to the highest level in at least nine years amid increased demand for the grain-based fuel from refiners and blenders before the start of the peak driving months.

Ethanol is being phased in as a component in reformulated gasoline sold in large U.S. cities. The process has contributed to some supply disruptions in the past month. Refiners’ phaseout of a rival additive known as MTBE, or methyl tertiary butyl ether, is expected to be mostly finished by the end of this week.

Chicago Tribune