Presuming you mean "ethanol" it's not the least bit new. Many vendors have been selling up to 10% ethanol blends for many years now. Some states mandate it.
Whether or not it blends with oil, etc, is a matter of some debate. There also seems to be debate of whether or not the rubber seals/o-rings/grommets in our gas engines can handle it.
The easiest way to avoid the whole issue is, simply, to buy gas without ethanol in it.
That's still an option in many states, Arkansas included. Just google "ethanol free gas" and you'll find a large number of websites that list/map/discuss where to get ethanol-free gasoline in states that allow it.
Here are a couple of links to get you started: