This E85 blender pump is one of approximately 60 in Nebraska to offer the renewable fuel, ethanol. This station will offer unleaded, E10 and other mid-level ethanol blends including E85 and diesel. Trotter Service in Arcadia is a full service station, according to the Nebraska Ethanol Board and the Nebraska Corn Board.

More than 117,000 Nebraska motorists currently own a flexible fuel vehicle which can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, up to E85. To confirm if a vehicle is an FFV, drivers can check their owner’s manual or their gas cap for the flex fuel emblem.

“E85 is cleaner than gas. It’s produced right here in Nebraska and more and more vehicles can use it every day,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board’s Administrator. “When flex fuel drivers fill up on E85, they’re strengthening Nebraska’s economy, making our country more energy independent and being easier on the environment.”

“Giving consumers a choice is also another benefit. This new blender pump will offer flex fuel vehicle owners a fuel choice based on price, performance, and availability,” said Kim Clark, Ag Program Manager with the Nebraska Corn Board.

Sign up for the Nebraska Ethanol Board’s FFV club for updates of new E85 locations and other announcements.

There will be deals for diesel vehicle drivers too including a discount of 20 cents per gallon on cleaner burning B5 biodiesel. There is a 30 gallon limit per vehicle during the promotion.

E85, E50, E30 and E20 fuels are for use in flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) only. There are approximately a quarter million FFVs registered in Minnesota. All diesel vehicles can use B5 biodiesel. Minnesota has about 360 E85 stations in the state.

Supporters of the promotion include the Olmsted/South Wabasha County Corn & Soybean Growers, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, Minnesota Clean Air Choice Team and the American Lung Association in Minnesota, which supports the use of E85 and biodiesel fuels as part of an overall strategy to reduce and prevent air pollution.

The Ft. Myers Marathon station, opened the E85 station last week. Mid-State Energy also opened up a Circle K E85 fueling station in 2010 in Lake Wales, Fla., with partner Protec Fuel.

“Our company believes in not only giving choice to our customers,” said Ken Allen, Jr., president of Mid-State Energy, “but in providing options that will help our country to become more sustainable and help in some little way to minimize our dependence on foreign oil.”

Protec Fuel, based in Florida, has partnered with Mid-State Energy to manage the E85 installation and provide fuel for the company’s new greener burning fuel offering. Protec is a turnkey E85 company specializing in station conversions and fuel distribution. Flex-fuel vehicles can run on E85 and gasoline. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

“We commend Mid-State for its dedication in not just opening one E85 station, but its second station as well,” said Todd Garner, CEO of Protec Fuel. “Plus, Mid-State is not only choosing to offer a cleaner-burning option for customers, but a way to differentiate itself in the marketplace,” he said.

Mid-State Energy says it hopes to offer multiple alternative fuels, such as E85 and biodiesel, at the location someday. Besides E85 selling at a lower cost than conventional gasoline at the Ft. Myers and Lake Wales locations, it is better for the environment and supports our U.S. and local economies.

Pearl Harbor naval base was the first Hawaii military marine fleet to use biodiesel, replacing the Department of Navy-operated tour boats that shuttled visitors to and from the USS Arizona Memorial with five new boats capable of running on 100% biodiesel.

“The military in the way they are approaching the future as it relates to energy is reminding us that this country has the capacity not just to think big but also to act big,” said Vilsack. “They understand and appreciate that energy security is important for the future of this country and are dedicated to making sure that the Navy provide a good example to the country on how to go about doing this.”

The secretary noted that the Pearl Harbor navel base is also “utilizing and will continue to expand E85 and B20 opportunities for their vehicle fleet” which consists of roughly 2000 vehicles, 75% of which are capable of using either E85 or B20.

Vilsack noted that much of the biodiesel used at Pearl Harbor purchased by the Navy is produced in Hawaii by Pacific Biodiesel, “which is the oldest biodiesel producer and refinery in the country, started in 1996.”

Listen to Secretary Vilsack’s comments about biofuels at Pearl Harbor: Tom Vilsack at Pearl Harbor memorial

Photos from Secretary’s visit to Pearl Harbor memorial to promote biofuels

The expiration of the VEETC resulted in an immediate a 38-cent increase on every gallon of clean E85, which the coalition notes reduces the incentive for Americans to buy domestically produced fuels, and endangers the investments of millions of Flex Fuel auto owners, E85 retailers, producers, equipment manufacturers, and other supporters.

“Despite the tax credit’s expiration, we are continuing to work to protect the investments made by millions of Flex Fuel drivers, and thousands of retailers and producers who want to keep money spent on fuel right here in our country,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels, a leading member of the Coalition for E85. “Oil companies didn’t need the tax credit to keep blending ethanol into gasoline, but America’s alternative fuel retailers need the tax credit to keep E85 affordable. Without Congress’ continued support, America will become more dependent on foreign oil.”

The Coalition for E85 is urging supporters to reach out to their representatives and show support for E85. A tool kit including sample letters to Congress, pump top posters for retailers, and social media links can be found on the coalition’s website.

In the first eight months of 2011, Minnesota E85 sales increased 26 percent compared to the same period in 2010. Reports from Iowa and North Dakota also show significantly higher E85 sales this year than in 2010.

Minnesota has more than 360 E85 retail outlets, more than any other state. Plus, the state also continues to make progress to reduce gasoline consumption in state-owned vehicles. Between July 2010 and June 2011, the state fleet used more than one million gallons of E85, setting a new record for a 12-month period.

According to the Minnesota SmartFleet Committee, E85 now accounts for approximately 19 percent of their light-duty fuel purchases. State agencies used 736,885 gallons of E85 from January through September, up from the 724,827 gallons during the same period in 2010.

“This increase is all the more notable because many of the state’s 3,000 flex fuel vehicles that are capable of using E85 were not driven during a 20-day state government shutdown in July,” said Tim Morse, chair of the SmartFleet Committee and director of Fleet and Surplus Services for the Minnesota Department of Administration.

“Using these fuels not only reduces lifecycle emissions and air pollution, they also help reduce our dependence on petroleum, a majority of which is imported into Minnesota from tar sand sources,” said Kelly Marczak, director of the Clean Air Choice program of the American Lung Association in Minnesota and SmartFleet Committee member.

The station, which specializes in auto repair, partnered with Protec Fuel, to install the E85. Protec, based in Florida, is a turnkey E85 company specializing in station conversions and fuel distribution. Bollinger’s offers three types of fuel including gasoline, diesel and E85. Bollinger’s also offers conversions for gas-engine vehicles to become flex-fuel vehicles.

“It just made sense to offer a product that’s good for the environment and the U.S. economy and at the same time help my environmentally-conscious customers,” said Ted Bollinger, owner.

As of September, Iowa retailers sold 9.8 million gallons of E85 during the first nine months of 2011, exceeding the 9.3 million total gallons sold last year. The Iowa Department of Revenue says sales increased 20 percent during the third quarter of 2011 (July to September) compared to the same period last year.

Currently, Iowa has 158 retail outlets offering E85.

Retailers wishing to offer E85 may be eligible for a state grant to offset some of the equipment and installation costs. The Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board is now accepting applications or retailers can contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

PEI executive vice president Robert Renkes says the goal of the Coalition is to protect the investments of 2,500 small businesses and stop a multimillion-dollar tax hike on consumers. “Fuel marketers, equipment manufacturers and the motoring public have invested a significant amount of money in building the E85 infrastructure and flex-fueled vehicles,” said Renkes. “We must not abandon E85 this close to self-sustainability.”

According to the Energy Information Administration, Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on up to 85% ethanol fuel represent approximately 98 percent of all the alternative fuel vehicles operating on the nation’s highways. “E85 represents a form of liquid transportation fuel that is growing in use and has an infrastructure investment cost similar to unleaded gasoline,” said Renkes. “Following the lead of the Congress and several recent presidents, many of our members have committed to the production of E85 fueling equipment, and we call on the Congress and Obama Administration to maintain the small incentives provided to advance the sale of E85.”

Currently, other alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas, propane and hydrogen, receive a $0.50 per gallon tax credit as part of the Alternative Fuel Credit and the Coalition believes E85 should be included as well.

Four star General Paul J. Kern (U.S. Army Ret.) will headline the Summit, addressing the dangers of foreign oil dependence to U.S. military operations. General Kern served in numerous positions during his prestigious 37-year career. He led the 24th Infantry Division’s attack into Iraq in 1991, served two tours of duty in Vietnam and is the recipient of three Purple Hearts. General Kern currently serves as the Chairman of the CNA Military Advisory Board.

The Summit also will feature information on the national outlook for biodiesel, the newest ethanol blend – E15, and the balance between ethanol and livestock production.

Find more details and additional links and information, visit the summit website.

By opening an E85 station with partner Protec Fuel, Airport BP is doing its part to help reduce emissions, lower our dependence on foreign oil and spur domestic economic growth.

Protec Fuel, based in Florida, has partnered with Airport BP to provide fuel for the company’s new greener burning fuel option and assist with its fuel launch. This makes Virginia’s ninth public E85 station. Protec contributed to four of these projects.

The recently-launched coalition is made up primarily of fuel retailers who are concerned about the future of E85 once the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) expires without renewal at the end of the year. “E85 as an alternative fuel is defined everywhere in the U.S. code, except for the Internal Revenue code,” explains tax code specialist Jeff Trinca, who is working with the coalition. That was because of the VEETC, to avoid “double dipping” in tax credits. “Now VEETC’s going away and what we’re basically saying is we would like E85 to be included in the definition of alternative fuels with propane, natural gas and others so there’s a level playing field,” Trinca says, noting that the coalition is only looking for a five year bridge to get the infrastructure in to be competitive with gasoline.

Trinca says they are working on getting a bill introduced in Congress to address the issue before the end of the year.

Trinca and coalition representative Phil Lampert, both pictured here, were at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting last week explaining the issue to the nation’s farm broadcasters. Listen to my interview with Trinca here: Jeff Trinca, Coalition for E85

Crown Express owner Kargo Corporation will join with the N.C. Solar Center/N.C. State University and Protec Fuel to celebrate the offering of two cleaner-burning renewable fuels to North Carolina’s capital city with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the first commercial fuel station offering both E85 and B20 biodiesel. The celebration will include a special promotion of E85 fuel for 85 cents a gallon for 85 minutes, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association.

Speakers at the grand opening will include representatives from Kargo, North Carolina House, Protec Fuel and the state departments of administration, commerce and transportation. The event is taking place starting at 3:00 pm Eastern time.

The Nebraska Ethanol Industry Coalition (NEIC) will be heading up the statewide project with partners including the Nebraska Ethanol Board, the Nebraska Corn Board, the Clean Fuels Foundation, ICM, Poet Ethanol Products, Monsanto, Green Plains Renewable Energy, and Phibro Ethanol Performance Group.

While the FFV Awareness Campaign is an ongoing national effort, this project will concentrate on six states: Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Georgia and Florida. Key elements of the project include working with state motor vehicle departments to inform drivers that they may already have a flex fuel vehicle and how FFV drivers can easily find fueling sites offering high-level ethanol blends. The campaign will also provide an opportunity to educate all drivers on ethanol with respect to performance, emissions, and advantages it provides over gasoline and imported oil.

Todd Sneller, Chairman of the Clean Fuels Development Coalition and Administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, said the project reflects a unique “virtual pipeline” that targets production states like Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas and links them with key markets like Maryland, Georgia, and Florida. “Clearly we are near the saturation point in terms of ethanol blends in conventional vehicles,” said Sneller. “To maintain the renewable fuel standard and move to the next level we need to take advantage of the 9 million FFVs on the road today that can use high level ethanol blends, ranging up to E85. For that to happen drivers need to know their vehicles have this capability and where to find the fuel,” he said.

As a part of the national FFV Awareness Campaign, the “FlexFuel Vehicle/Motor Vehicle Administration” project will work with MVAs in six states on outreach opportunities such as developing an FFV owner database, vehicle registration and license renewals, safety inspection and emissions notices, and including information with the energy/emergency preparedness program, state websites, and at point of service. The six states are Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida.

“Working together with MVAs and automakers we want to reach drivers of FFVs to make sure they are aware that their vehicles have the capability of using high-level ethanol blends,” said FFV Awareness Campaign Manager Burl Haigwood. “Educating drivers about fuel choice will result in proper refueling and protect ethanol’s stellar 30-year marketplace reputation.”

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers CEO Mitch Bainwol says they represent 12 companies of FFVs that see the need for consumer education. “FlexFuel Vehicles are a growing segment of the auto pool. We are pleased to help sponsor this project to increase the use of alternative fuels like E85 and in so doing, educate drivers to avoid the potential for misfueling.”

FFV Awareness Campaign supporters noted that reaching drivers in cooperation with the DMVs is essentially a no-to-low cost means to help states meet their goals to reduce petroleum use, support new biofuel technologies, and improve air quality. The Alliance now joins EPA, USDA, several Clean Cities Coalitions, and over 30 Ag/Energy/Environmental organizations that support the FFV Awareness Campaign.

“If we don’t enable E85 to compete with gasoline, we could see the entire Flex Fuel industry disappear,” said Dan Gilligan, President of PMAA, which represents 8,000 independent petroleum marketing companies. “Our members, automakers, and 9 million American drivers have invested in E85 infrastructure and Flex Fuel vehicles. With E85 so close to self-sustainability, these investments must be protected.”

The recently-formed Coalition notes that E85 is the most widely adopted alternative fuel and is defined in the Energy Policy Act of 1992 as an alternative fuel, rather than a fuel additive. “E85 is an alternative fuel just as compressed natural gas, propane, and hydrogen,” contends the group. “These alternative fuels receive a 50-cent per gallon tax credit as part of the Alternative Fuel Credit and E85 should receive the same tax treatment.”

The Coalition for E85 is an alliance of retailers, producers, equipment manufacturers, automobile manufacturers, and others supporting E85. More than 2,500 small businesses across the country have installed E85 pumps to date.

According to the coalition, if the current tax credit for ethanol expires at the end of the year and is not renewed, Flex Fuel vehicle (FFV) drivers could end up paying up to 38 cents more per gallon for E85. This increase they say will force many small businesses that have invested more than $100 million in E85 infrastructure to close their pumps.

“E85 is not only an alternative fuel, it is our nation’s most widely adopted alternative fuel,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels, one of the lead members of the Coalition for E85. “If we are to make a meaningful dent in our dependency on foreign oil, we must expand E85 infrastructure and ensure this fuel has fair tax treatment.”

The coalition wants the Internal Revenue Service to recognize that E85, is not an additive, but a true alternative fuel like natural gas or propane. They note that E85 also provides a platform for advanced biofuels and can be made from non-food sources such as farming byproducts, algae biomass and household waste. Currently other alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas, propane and hydrogen receive a $0.50 per gallon tax credit as part of the Alternative Fuel Credit. The Coalition believes E85 should be included in this group.

Coalition member Todd Garner, CEO of Protec Fuels, says if the current tax credit for ethanol goes away permanently, the impacts on the price and availability of E85 will be dramatic. “We must not abandon E85 this close to self-sustainability,” he said. “We hope retailers, producers, auto makers, and others concerned about the future of E85 will stand up and fight with us.”

The Coalition for E85 currently includes Propel Fuels, Protec, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, ethanol industry associations, pump and tank companies, and individual E85 retailers.

NEXCOM opened its sixth E85 station on a U.S. Navy base at Naval Air Station Pensacola this week. This facility will provide access to E85 fuel for the Navy’s fleet of FFVs as well as the general public.

“We are proud to offer E85 as a preferred choice of energy to drive our country, improve our environment and reduce our country’s dependency on petroleum,” said Larry Boone, NEXCOM’s Automotive Program Manager. “The U. S. Navy is a leader in the use of alternative fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel.”

Florida-based Protec Fuel managed the E85 installation and provides the new greener burning fuel offering at the Navy Exchange (NEX). Protec and NEXCOM also opened two other stations together last year in Virginia.

“We are proud to work with the Navy and NEXCOM to offer this American fuel,” said Steve Walk, an Executive Director of Protec Fuel. “NEXCOM is providing a cleaner burning option for its customers, the Navy, and Pensacola drivers.”

The new Pensacola facility helps the Navy meet the Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance Executive Order under President Obama’s direction, setting a goal of reducing petroleum use in the federal fleet.

This is the first location for the multi-state MAPCO Express to offer 85 percent ethanol blended fuel. The company partnered with florida-based Protec Fuel to convert the station and equipment and provide the E85 fuel for the company’s new greener-burning fuel option.

“MAPCO has taken a big step in offering E85 to its customers at this Madison location,” said Steve Walk with Protec Fuel. “This launch should lead to more MAPCO biofuel pumps throughout its southeastern U.S. territory.”

According to Mark Bentley, Executive Director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, there are now 16 E85 pumps in Alabama. “We congratulate and commend MAPCO and the people of Madison for making E85 available to the public,” he said.

Madison, Alabama is north of Birmingham and just east of Decatur and the MAPCO Express E85 pump is located on Highway 72 West.

During the E85 event, the station will offer an 85 cent discount on E85 for a fill-up of up to 30 gallons. Also available is E10 and regular gasoline. This is Nebraska’s 68th E85 pump and today, there are more than 100,000 Nebraskan motorists who own a flex-fuel vehicle (FFV). Not sure if your car is an FFV? You can check by visiting the Nebraska Ethanol Board website at www.ne-ethanol.org/ffv.

“E85 and other ethanol fuels burn cleaner than gasoline and the ethanol is produced here in Nebraska. As manufacturers produce more Flex Fuel Vehicles each year, there is an opportunity to expand the use of high level ethanol blends,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board Administrator.

Kim Clark, Ag Program Manager with the Nebraska Corn Board added, “We are pleased that ethanol, grown and produced right here in Nebraska by our corn farmers, can be offered locally.”

“Iowans continue to have more E85 fueling options – and they are taking advantage of them in record fashion,” said Iowa Renewable Fuel Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “E85 remains a good bargain – for our pocketbook, our economy, our national security, and our environment.”

There are currently 144 retail stations selling E85. A list can be found here. Retailers wishing to offer E85 may be eligible for a state grant to offset some of the equipment and installation costs. The Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board is taking applications now. For an application, contact Harold Hommes, Iowa Department of Agriculture, at 515-242-6237 or harold.hommes@iowaagriculture.gov.

Source: Iowa RFA

· Pump topper
· Nozzle talkers
· Decals to educate motorists on mid-level ethanol blends
· New E15 label recently approved by the EPA
· E85 labels for Flex Fuel vehicles

Retailers who are interested in receiving the free kit can visit Growth Energy’s online store and click on the “FREE Amer. Ethanol Station Kit” tab. In addition to the above materials, the kit also contains a brochure holder for retailers to provide consumers additional facts about the benefits of ethanol.

“American Ethanol’s partnership with NASCAR provides unique visibility for ethanol blends. We are pleased to offer these station kits to retailers to provide consumers with the same fuel that their favorite NASCAR drivers use on the track,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.

The benefits of E85 are many including the reduction of emissions, lowering dependence on foreign oil, spurring economic growth and is domestically produced.

Planet Ozone’s name implies more than just a greener fuel. The company also built one of the first “green” buildings in the area. The $3 million structure houses a Sunoco, an international grocery store, a Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern food cafe, and juice bar. The building also recycles rainwater and many of the building materials were recycled.

“Stripes takes pride in leading the way by bringing a new alternative fuel option like E85 to our customers looking for a cleaner burning gas for their flex fuel vehicles,” said Steve DeSutter, President & CEO of Stripes LLC. “This is something new for us but with the number of flex fuel vehicles growing, and as cities like Corpus Christi push to find ways to improve air quality and make renewable resources a focus, Stripes will offer E85 fuel at more locations if we find that consumers demand that option.”

Stripes says according to E85refueling.com there are around 50 E85 stations in Texas and more than 2,600 across the U.S. They become the first retailer in the area to offer E85 as part of their commitment to supporting environmental initiatives and reducing air pollution in the community.

Using regular diesel, the team reached the top speed of 171.123 mph and 182 mph on a B20 biodiesel blend. The regular diesel record was achieved on athe first attempt and solidified in the second run. Then the team drained the diesel and switched to biodiesel. The biodiesel land speed record was broken at 130.64 mph.

Hajek is a soybean farmer from Ames, Oklahoma and owns the Hajek Motorsports Museum in Ames where the record-breaking pickup will be on display.

“There are a lot of soybean farmers in this area trying to promote soy products and keep some of the diesel money in Oklahoma, where they are grown,” said Hajek in an interview with Enid News and Eagle.

Hajek is a biofuels enthusiast – two years ago he set a land speed record with Mustang using E85 and reaching 254 mph. His next goal is to reach speeds of more than 200 mph using biodiesel.

Florida-based Protec Fuel supplies the fuel and conducted installation of Coulson Oil‘s E85 pumps which are already open to the public. The big celebration will be held on August 10 at the Shell SuperStop in Little Rock, starting at 10:00 am. The event will feature the $.85 fuel promo for flex-fuel vehicles and speakers will include Lt. Governor Mark A. Darr, Energy Office Director Scott Hamilton, and company representatives.

More information about the event is available on-line from Coulson and Protec Fuel.

The station, located at Glencoe, Minnesota, will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, August 8th beginning at 10:45 am CST. Representatives from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be on hand along with a number of other special guests. Following a brief presentation, a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) pump promotion will take place from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm sponsored in part by the American Lung Association of Minnesota. Fuel discounts during the promotion are as follows and mid-level blends of ethanol can only be used in FFV’s but everyone is welcome to come to the event to show their support for fuel choice at the pump.

• · 85 cents off per gallon of E85
• · 50 cents off per gallon of E50
• · 30 cents off per gallon of E30
• · 20 cents off per gallon of E20
]]> http://domesticfuel.com/2011/08/04/first-e15-pump-in-minnesota-opens/feed/ 1 http://domesticfuel.com/2011/08/03/propel-offers-san-francisco-drivers-b20/ http://domesticfuel.com/2011/08/03/propel-offers-san-francisco-drivers-b20/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:11:14 +0000 Joanna Schroeder http://domesticfuel.com/?p=40628 As diesel vehicles become more popular in the U.S., especially in states such as California, Propel Fuels has been offering biodiesel blends to fuel drivers’ commutes. Today, Propel began selling B20 (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent low-sulfur diesel) at three of its stations located in the Bay Area (San Francisco). The company plans to add B20 blends to several stations in Berkeley and San Jose next.

“As high fuel prices force drivers to think about what they put in their tanks, we are proud to offer a higher blend of biodiesel that provides premium performance and guaranteed quality at no additional cost,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel. “We’ve seen an elevated interest in higher-blend biodiesel offerings from Bay Area drivers, in particular. By providing this new choice at the pump, we are enabling these drivers to make even greater progress towards reducing carbon emissions and our nation’s dependence on imported oil.”

Propel sells biodiesel that is sourced from used vegetable oils. Biodiesel has been scientifically proven to improve engine performance and efficiency while at the same time lowering tailpipe emissions. Biodiesel is approved for use in current diesel vehicles and more and more are auto manufacturers are producing vehicles that can run on B20 blends including all 2011 GM and Ford diesel vehicles and Cummins engines.

Propel began selling B20 in Washington State in 2007 and also offers other renewable fuel options as many of its stations including E85.

]]> http://domesticfuel.com/2011/08/03/propel-offers-san-francisco-drivers-b20/feed/ 1 http://domesticfuel.com/2011/07/14/alt-fuels-vehicle-lecture-announced/ http://domesticfuel.com/2011/07/14/alt-fuels-vehicle-lecture-announced/#comments Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:15:07 +0000 Joanna Schroeder http://domesticfuel.com/?p=40017 The American Lung Association in Minnesota is offering a free lecture on alternative fuels and vehicles that are currently available in Minnesota. The event will be held on Wednesday, July 20th from 6:30-8:00 pm CST, at the American Lung Association in Minnesota’s building located at 490 Concordia Avenue, Saint Paul. The lecture is taking place in the Mississippi room. The focal point will be vehicles that can use cleaner fuels such as E85, biodiesel, propane or natural gas. This the the second lecture in the “Clean Air Choices” series focused on air pollution in Minnesota.

“Vehicle emissions are the single largest source of air pollution in the state of Minnesota, but we are also a leader in cleaner alternative fuels and vehicles,” said Robert Moffitt, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association in Minnesota. “Unlike many other parts of the country, Minnesota drivers have choices they can make that can reduce air pollution and the harm it causes to our health. The purpose of this lecture is to explain what these choices are.”

Parking is free, and light refreshments will be served. To reserve a spot, call Courtney at (651) 262-5084 or email Courtney.Blankenheim@lungmn.org.

]]> http://domesticfuel.com/2011/07/14/alt-fuels-vehicle-lecture-announced/feed/ 2 http://domesticfuel.com/2011/06/23/e85-station-opens-in-magnolia-north-carolina/ http://domesticfuel.com/2011/06/23/e85-station-opens-in-magnolia-north-carolina/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:42:19 +0000 Joanna Schroeder http://domesticfuel.com/?p=39326 Magnolia, North Carolina is the newest home of an E85 station, just off of Interstate 40. This marks the state’s 16th E85 station, but the first one funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act via the Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative. The official grand opening took place on June 17 and 90 guests from the local community and throughout the state were on hand for the event. Special guests included Gwendolyn Vann, Mayor of Magnolia; Zettie Williams, Duplin County Commissioner; Steven Burke, CEO and President of the Biofuels Center of N.C.; and Howard Isley, Assistant Commissioner for Agriculture and Consumer Services.

In five years, 16 stations in the state have installed E85 pumps. Isley noted that, “Ethanol is one way to become energy independent. We need new agricultural markets and ethanol is one way to create one here in North Carolina.” He finds the growing number of E85 pumps in the state encouraging and believes that ethanol can help grow North Carolina’s economy.

Lounell Mainor, owner of the Magnolia Marketplace station, said having the dispenser open to the public is a 5-year dream come true. She sees the environmental and air quality benefits of using ethanol a boon for her community.

“There’s a lot of potential (for ethanol). There’s never going to be potential that we’ll produce petroleum in this county but there’s great potential that we’ll be able to grow the crops that make this fuel and that’s what’s exciting,” said Tazewell, with NC Solar Center/ N.C. State University and also the project manager for the Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative.

Burke added, “On one end of the gas nozzle for this E85 pump is fuel that is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. On the other end of that nozzle is North Carolina’s commitment to gain and grow biofuels. We have a whole new world in agriculture and it’s ‘biofuels’. We can’t continue to depend on oil.”

]]> http://domesticfuel.com/2011/06/23/e85-station-opens-in-magnolia-north-carolina/feed/ 1