The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) concluded their 2008 Summer Board of Directors Meeting in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, July 15. The meeting was held in conjunction with the National Corn Grower Association’s Corn Congress.

The board meeting was well attended by board members ranging from automobile manufacturer representatives, ethanol producers, state corn growers and more. Items on the agenda covered budget items, membership, and issues that are hindering the advancement of E85 infrastructure such as the lack of Underwriters Laboratory certification on E85 dispensers.

The NEVC along with cosponsors hosted a reception for the attendees of the Corn Congress on Monday, July 14. Also, a reception at the nation’s Capitol was held on July 15. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar addressed the crowd at the reception. She thanked the Minnesota Corn Growers Association for their leadership on pushing this year’s Farm Bill to its success.

Sponsors for the meeting included: the Missouri Corn Growers Associaiton, VeraSun Energy, ICM, Dresser Wayne, Ohio Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Siouxland Energy and Livestock Cooperative, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Mid-Missouri Energy, Gilbarco Veeder-Root, White Energy, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, and Chrysler Corporation.

Photo above features Minnesota’s Amy Klouchar with members of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

CleanFUEL Distribution announced that twelve E85 stations will soon be open in cities surrounding Atlanta, GA. A promotion, sponsored by several entities on June 2 and 3, will sell E85 for $1.85 per gallon parts of each day. Involved in the openings will be Protec Fuel Management, CleanFUEL Distribution, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA), the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Chrysler, SAFA Express, Indore Oil and the Atlanta Clean Cities Coalition.

“Never before have twelve E85 stations opened at once. This is a momentous occasion. Since E85 is the key to creating a market for cellulosic ethanol, this is an extremely important step that will put the greater Atlanta area on the path to increasing petroleum independence and cleaner air. Protec and CleanFUEL Distribution are proud to have worked with our outstanding partners to open these stations,” said Todd Garner, Managing Partner of Protec and CEO of CleanFUEL Distribution.

GEFA assisted in financing 21 E85 facilities in Georgia, ten of which will be part of the grand opening festivities the week of June 2.

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