Don't think ethanol is required yet.
My understanding on the increase in prices is that Europe is going though a fuel shortage right now and US refiners can make more money exporting over there. Win-win situation for refiners because when they export it causes an artificial shortage here at home and another excuse to raise domestic prices.
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Bill
'95 2500 4wd auto
'95 3500 5 speed heavy hauler
Both far from stock