|
In
This Issue: |
FYI Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 4, April 22, 2005
|
|
|
•
ND
Governor to Sign E85 Tax Reduction Bill
•
Infrastructure Funding Available in Illinois
•
Princeton, IL Now Offering E85
•
E85 Sold Considerably Less than Gasoline
•
Kansas
Is First to Receive FFV from GM |
•
NEVC Participates in
Drive Clean
Across Missouri
•
Grand
Opening in MO Sold Record
Gallons of E85
•
NEVC
Spotlight Article – The District
of Columbia Public Works
•
Letters
to the NEVC |
|
|
ND
Governor to Sign E85 Tax Reduction Bill |
|
The North
Dakota Legislature passed, and Governor John Hoeven is
expected to soon sign, legislation that will lower the
state motor fuel tax on E85 fuel to just 1-cent per
gallon. Presently in North Dakota, both E85 and motor
gasoline is taxed at a rate of 21 cents per gallon.
Legislators have indicated the goal of the tax holiday is
to encourage retailers to sell E85 and to encourage
consumers to buy the North Dakota-produced,
renewable-based fuel that is made from North Dakota-grown
corn.
E85, which is designed for use in new flexible fuel
vehicles (FFVs), is an alternative fuel composed of 85%
ethanol and just 15% gasoline. It should not be confused
with 10% ethanol-blended gasolines that may be used in any
gasoline engine. E10 is already widely available.
Approximately 400 million gallons of gasoline are sold in
North Dakota each year with 120 million gallons containing
10% ethanol as E10. Only 100,000 gallons of E85 were sold
in the state last year and only half a dozen stations
offered the new fuel. With the state motor fuels tax
incentive and more and more FFVs being produced as
standard equipment, E85 use is expected to increase
dramatically.
Once the E85 tax legislation is signed by Governor Hoeven,
the new rate is set to begin on July 1, 2005. The
incentive will end when annual statewide sales reach 1.2
million gallons.
|
|
|
Infrastructure Funding Available in Illinois |
|
Governor Rod Blagojevich recently announced that $500,000
in Opportunity Returns funding is now available to
establish new E85 facilities at retail gasoline outlets in
Illinois. This aggressive effort to promote the use of
ethanol as a viable and efficient source of fuel in
Illinois is part of the Governor’s Opportunity Returns
initiative, his comprehensive, pro-active strategy to
promote economic growth throughout the state.
“My administration is committed to working to reduce gas
prices by supporting ethanol as a practical alternative.
With soaring gas prices, ethanol is a cleaner burning and
cheaper alternative that also creates jobs in Illinois.
We will do all that we can to support ethanol, and to
support higher ethanol blends such as E85. This is an
important step in the right direction,” said Gov.
Blagojevich.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity’s (DCEO) E85 program will provide up to 50
percent of the total cost for converting an existing
facility (maximum grant of $2,000 per site) to E85
operation, or for the construction of a new refueling
facility (maximum grant of up to $40,000 per facility).
Individuals or companies operating retail gasoline
facilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
“Governor Blagojevich and I will continue supporting important
initiatives that promote ethanol as a viable and
environmentally friendly alternative to imported energy
sources. E85 helps our farmers, helps grow our economy
and helps lessen our dependence on foreign oil. I know
that this new program will help make E85 more readily
available across Illinois,” State Senator George Shadid
said.
“Governor Blagojevich and I understand that there are
innovative ways, right here in Illinois, to decrease our
dependence on foreign oil, while providing an important
boost to our economy. This Opportunity Returns
funding strongly demonstrates our commitment, today and
tomorrow, to ethanol as a viable energy alternative,”
State Representative Dan Reitz said.
“With this new program, we will be able to help local gas
retailers support ethanol - something many of them want to
do. Gas station operators will now be able to apply for
assistance with the costs of the infrastructure they need
to be able to offer E85. Illinois currently has only
about twenty E85 stations available to the public, and we
want to dramatically increase that number,” said DCEO
Director Jack Lavin. “Depending on demand, we hope to
have 100 stations in Illinois by the end of 2006.
The $500,000 in funding for the new E85 Clean Energy
Infrastructure Development Program is through a grant from
the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to DCEO.
“We are very pleased to support this program so that DCEO
can assist fuel retailers to make E85 more widely
available to Illinois consumers. E85 produces much less
CO2 pollution, the leading global warming gas, and
simultaneously produces very real economic development
impacts across rural Illinois,” said Foundation Chairman
Phil Novak.
Also in support of E85, Governor Blagojevich signed
legislation in 2003 that eliminated the state sales tax
for E85 fuel, pricing it competitively with unleaded
gasoline. E85 fuel now typically runs 13 to 15 cents per
gallon less than regular unleaded gasoline. E85 helps
reduce gasoline prices by reducing demand for gasoline,
particularly when supplies are tight.
Earlier this year, Governor Blagojevich also issued an
Executive Order (#7) requiring state employees to use E85
fuel whenever practical. The State of Illinois operates
one of the largest fleets of E85 FFVs in the country. The
new DCEO program will further expand the number of
stations available to state employees, as well as the
public, to use E85.
There are currently more than four million FFVs on the
road today nationwide, with approximately 100,000 of those
in Illinois. Widely available models include the 5.3
liter Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Pickup trucks,
3.0 liter Ford Taurus sedans and 4.0 liter Explorers, as
well as 3.3 liter Chrysler Caravan Minivans. A complete
list of models is available at
www.E85Fuel.com. |
|
|
|
|
Princeton, IL Now Offering E85 |
|
Ag View FS,
Inc., based in Princeton, Illinois, is supporting local
farmers and helping improve air quality by offering the
first public E85 fuel pumps in the area. The clean-burning
alternative fuel is now available at FAST STOP, located at
720 W. Main, Princeton, Illinois.
The public is invited to help celebrate the grand opening
of the availability of E85 on April 9 from 10:00 a.m.
until 2:00 p.m. Ag View FS representatives, Mark Dehner,
GROWMARK marketing manager of alternative fuels, Jim Rapp,
a corn grower representative, and local Farm Bureau
representatives will be available to answer questions.
WZOE, a Princeton radio station, will broadcast from the
event.
E85 fuel will be sold for 85 cents per gallon during the
promotion and a hot dog, chips, and a soda will be
available for $2.00. Automobile dealers Browning
Chrysler-Ford and Peihl Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac-Cadillac
will have flex fuel vehicles on display.
“The fuel is cost competitive, and offers similar
performance to conventional gasoline for those who own
flex fuel vehicles,” said Dave Miller, Ag View FS energy
marketing manager.
Miller continued, “Using alternative fuels is safe and
helps increase our energy independence. High crude oil
prices encourage consumers to look to alternative fuels
FAST STOP also offers unleaded with ethanol and premium
diesel fuel. Later this year the station plans to switch
to biodiesel fuel and then will be a total biofuels
location. The location’s other amenities include a car
wash, atm, pay-at-the pump, and convenience store. They
are open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. during the winter and 6 a.m.
until 10 p.m. during the summer.
|
|
|
|
|
E85 Sold for
Considerably Less than Gasoline |
|
Many E85 fueling locations across the nation are selling
their E85 at a cost considerably less than regular
unleaded gasoline. E85 retail outlets in places such as
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado and Minnesota are
selling the fuel up to 50 cents below unleaded.
"E85 is the most economic choice at the pump for motorists
today,” said Todd Sneller, Executive Director of the
Nebraska Ethanol Board and past NEVC Chairman. “E85 is a
clean burning, high performance fuel that will continue to
demonstrate benefits to consumers across the country."
The six E85 locations in Nebraska are selling their
alternative fuel as follows:
Pump & Pantry in Grand Island -- $1.699
Pump & Pantry in Hastings – $1.699
United Farmers Coop in York -- $1.699
Cubby Foods in Omaha -- $1.759
Aurora Coop in Aurora -- $1.829
Aurora Coop in Grand Island -- $1.929
These prices range is about 20-40 cents below regular
unleaded.
MFA Oil in Missouri have also priced their fuel 20 cents
below unleaded gasoline. The cooperative owns four E85
locations in the state. They include the dispensers in
Columbia, Macon, Marshall and St. Joseph.
Many
drivers are saving from 30 to 60 cents per gallon of E85
in Kansas as well. “We are getting more and more calls
from drivers wanting to know how they can use this fuel.
They need a flexible fuel vehicle, which has a fuel system
that can operate on the higher ethanol content,” said
Robert White of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and
NEVC Vice-Chairman.
In
addition to the ability to use cheaper fuel, people who
buy FFVs and use E85 in Kansas can claim a state tax
credit. An individual who purchases a new FFV has from the
date of purchase through that calendar year and the next
calendar year to purchase 500 gallons of E85. They can
then submit those receipts with their taxes and receive a
$750 tax credit.
For a complete listing of E85 fueling locations, visit
www.E85Fuel.com. |
|
|
|
|
Kansas Is First to Receive FFV from GM |
|
Left to right: Roger
Pine, state senator, KCGA Board Member; Kansas
Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky; Jere White,
Executive Director KCGA and KGSPA. |
The State of Kansas has the use of an ethanol-powered
Chevrolet Avalanche for a year, thanks to a cost-free
lease from General Motors. Governor Kathleen Sebelius took
possession of the truck at Kansas Agriculture Day at the
Statehouse on March 28.
The vehicle will be used by the Kansas Department of
Agriculture to promote the use of ethanol. The FFV
Avalanche can fuel with E85 at stations in Topeka, Hays,
Garnett and Maize.
Not only will the state benefit from the use of the
vehicle, E85 fuel is priced significantly lower than
regular gasoline, according to the Kansas Corn Commission.
“E85 is selling for 30 cents or more per gallon below
regular unleaded fuel at the pump. Motorists who own
flexible fuel vehicles have a real advantage at the pump
with today’s fuel prices. There are about 5 million
flexible fuel vehicles on the road today,” according to
Robert White, KCC Director of Value Added Programs
and Vice-Chairman of the NEVC. |
|
|
The automaker is offering the use of the flexible fuel
trucks to the 26 states that belong to the Governor’s
Ethanol Coalition. Governor Sebelius is vice chairman of
the GEC and will be chair of the organization in 2006.
Kansas is the first state to receive a Chevrolet Avalanche
from the GM effort.
E85 fuel can be found at four locations in Kansas: Power
Plus, 3505 Vine St., Hays; Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower
Silver Lake Rd., Topeka; Maize Kwik Shop, 5340 N. Maize
Rd., Maize, and Petro Plus, 120 S. Maple, Garnett.
For more information on ethanol, E85 fuel and flexible
fuel vehicles, visit the NEVC website at
www.E85Fuel.com. |
| |
|
NEVC
Participates in Drive Clean Across Missouri |
|
FFV Avalanche at the beginning
of the trip. |
The goal of the caravan was to educate Missouri citizens
and students on the benefits of fuel economy and use of
renewable and alternative fuels in terms of saving money,
reducing oil imports, reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and generating more efficient technologies.
The NEVC along with many other alternative fuel groups
participated in the Drive Clean and Green Across Missouri
from April 4-8. The event, sponsored by the Department of
Natural Resources’ Energy Center, St. Louis Regional Clean
Cities and Kansas City Clean Cities Coalitions, began
under the St. Louis Gateway Arch and concluded at the
Discovery Center in Kansas City.
|
William Enk, Sr.
(farmer out of Blue Springs, MO) displayed his new E85
titan. |
|
|
“Along with eleven other alternative fueled vehicles, I
drove a 2005 E85 compatible Chevy Avalanche across the
state,” said Michelle Kautz, Director of Communications
for the NEVC. “It was a wonderful opportunity to not only
educate on FFVs, but it was a great chance to let the
public know that they don’t have to pay over two dollars a
gallon on fuel. E85 is being sold much less than gasoline
at all fueling sites across the state.”
The caravan of FFVs also included a Dodge Ram, a Ford
Taurus and a Ford Explorer. Stops were made at: the Mobil
on the Run E85 fueling location in St. Charles, the St.
Louis Gateway Arch, Lambert St. Louis Airport, St. Louis
Science Center, General Motors Wentzville Manufacturing
Plant, University of Missouri-Columbia, Break Time E85
fueling location in Columbia, Missouri State Capitol,
Lewis and Clark Building in Jefferson City, University of
Missouri-Rolla, Lebanon High School, Southwest Missouri
State University, Central Missouri State University and
the Discovery Center in Kansas City. |
| |
|
Grand
Opening in MO Sold Record Gallons of E85 |
|
|
 Wallis
Oil opened their second E85 fueling location in the state
of Missouri and sold a record 4,200 gallons of E85 at
their Grand Opening event. E85 was sold for 85 cents per
gallon from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on April 14 at the Mobil
on the Run at 1401 5th Street in St. Charles.
“This was truly a spectacular event. Vehicles were lined
up to fuel with E85 the entire day,” commented Michelle
Kautz, NEVC Director of Communications who attended the
grand opening.
The grand opening was supported
by the NEVC, the Missouri Corn Growers Association, and
Wallis Oil. Many representatives of the city of St.
Charles attended the event including St. Charles Mayor
Patricia York (shown upper left).
The facility is open 24
hours-a-day, seven days a week. It includes the
pay-at-the-pump option with Speedpass, a car wash, ATM,
foodservice, diesel, regular gasoline, and much more.
The Mobil on the Run at 1710 North Bishop in Rolla,
Missouri, owned by Wallis Oil, also carries E85. |
| |
|
NEVC
Member Spotlight -
The
District of Columbia Public Works. FMA |
|
|
 Department
of Public Works, Fleet Management Administration (FMA) has
become one of the newest members of the NEVC. The
organization helps to improve the District’s
competitiveness and quality of life by providing the
Department of Public Works (DPW) and other agencies with
vehicles and other mobile equipment to meet their services
delivery needs, and by maintaining the vehicle and
equipment fleet in good working condition.
FMA provides maintenance, parts, and vehicular acquisition
services for approximately 3,000 vehicles and pieces of
mobile equipment to (DPW) and 35 other District government
agencies, departments and commission. In addition, the
fleet management program provides fuel and fluids to more
than 6,000 vehicles including those maintained by the
program, as well as vehicles belonging to the D.C. Public
Schools, Metropolitan Police Department, Fire/EMS and the
Water and Sewer Authority.
“We are committed to the alternative fuel program and a
cleaner environment, so what better way to demonstrates
this commitment than not only buying and supporting the
infrastructure than to be a part of a group that is
proactive. We want to be a part of the entire process. We
want to “walk the walk” and not just ‘talk the talk’,”
said Ronald S. Flowers, Fleet Administrator for the
organization (shown above).
The attitude of the FMA is that while the flexible/bi-fuel
vehicle may have the ability to utilize some other fuel
than alternative fuel, they will only authorize the use of
the alternative fuel, such as E85. The organization
controls the driver’s fueling option by utilizing an
automated fueling key system.
When asked why the organization joined the NEVC, Flowers
responded, “We have to have more grass root organizations.
We need a program that gets into our educational system at
the lowest level, which speaks to the utilization of
alternative fuels. For instance, it could be illustrated
in a comic book format for the elementary school level.
Alternative fuel usage needs to become a part of an
evolution. Children need to embrace it as they grow, that
way we are not changing behavior, but rather developing it
as they grow.“
|
|
|
|
Letters to the NEVC |
Letters to the NEVC -
This section highlights emails that the NEVC has recently
received. Many of the comments or suggestions that
we receive are of interest to a wider audience and we
would like to share them with our readers. |
| |
|
These emails were sent to Tim Gerlach of the MN E85
Team:
I am very happy that I drive a vehicle that uses E85 when
regular gas prices are up so high. Occasionally I see
another person using the E85 pump at the gas station I go
to. I will always start up a conversation with them.
Right now we are saving about $.39 per gallon!
- Nancy Taklo
Hello-
Is it possible to burn a diluted ratio with gasoline in a
non-FFV. I own a 90 Chevy 1/2 ton truck, 1996 Oldsmobile
1988 and 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette.
Thank you,
Craig Nichols
Mr. Craig:
Thank you for your inquiry on 'blending' a diluted mixture
of E85/gasoline into your gasoline-only engines.
Officially, we try to discourage motorists from this
practice -- as the possibility of component failure
exists. Although we hear from many E85 advocates that
blend in E85 with gasoline without apparent problems --
some issues (e.g. fuel pump or sensor failures) might not
occur immediately or after short-term use. It would be
unfortunate if problems or poor operation arising from
this practice were to be blamed on the fuel or station
that sells it.
A non-flexible fuel vehicle misfueled with a few gallons
of E85 will not likely have any problems. When
misfuelings happen, we instruct station clerks to have
customers dilute the fuel with more gasoline at the
earliest opportunity. Sometimes, it simply goes
unnoticed.
Sometimes, a check engine light pops on if too much
alcohol (too high in oxygen) is present in the fuel. This
light indicates the air/fuel ratio is outside
stoichiometric operation. Typically, blending in more
gasoline or after another tankful or two will cause the
light to go off again. If not, an auto technician can
reset it very easily (and inexpensively).
All foreign and domestic automakers design the vehicles
for a minimum of 10% ethanol/90% gasoline. Flexible fuel
vehicles are designed for use with up to 85% ethanol
(E85). And, in some other countries, vehicles are
designed for use with other ethanol-gasoline blends.
I hope this helps answer your question. Please do not
hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.
On behalf of the Minnesota E85 pilot market and National
Ethanol Vehicle Coalition,
Tim Gerlach |
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
April 22, 2005
Grand Opening of E85 facility at Spinx Store #121 at 2497
South Highway 14 in Greer, SC. For more information,
contact Eric Baumholser at
elb@spinxco.com.
April 26-28, 2005
M PACT Conference. For more information go to
www.m-pact.org.
April 28, 2005
E85 Grand Opening Celebration at Pump & Pantry #27 at 4311
2nd Avenue in Kearney, MO. E85 for 85 cents per gallon
from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information, contact
Kylie Meyer at (402) 471-2941.
May 1-5, 2005
11th Annual Clean Cities Conference
to be held in Palm
Springs, California. For more information, email
sara_huntley@nrel.gov.
May 5, 2005
E85 Grand Opening Celebration for Galva Holstein Ag, LLC
at 1583 Market Avenue in Galva, IA. E85 for 85 cents per
gallon from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information,
contact Christi Vander Voort at
cvandervoort@e85fuel.com.
May 16, 2005
E85 Grand Opening celebration at Petro Card 24 at
Beasley Park Road in Charleston, Missouri.
E85 for 85 cents per gallon from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. For
more information, contact David Perkins at
dperkins@mfaoil.com.
May 20, 2005
E85 Grand Opening celebration at Break Time Convenience
Store at
402 N Woodbine in St.
Joseph , MO. 85
cents off per gallon of E85 with a maximum purchase of 10
gallons from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
For more information,
contact Ken McClure at
kmcclure@mfaoil.com
June 7-9, 2005
FedFleet 2005: Keeping in Tune in Nashville, TN. For more
information, visit
www.fedfleet.org.
June 13-14, 2005
NEVC Semi-Annual board of directors meeting at the Holiday
Inn Select in Cody, Wyoming. June 13 from 2 p.m. until 5
p.m. and Tuesday, June 14 from 8 a.m. until noon. For
more information, email
mkautz@e85fuel.com.
June 12-14, 2005
Ethanol Producers and Consumers (EPAC) conference in Cody,
Wyoming. For more information, contact Shirley Ball at
shirley@ethanolmt.org.
June 13- 14, 2005
NEVC Semi-Annual Board Meeting at the Holiday
Inn Buffalo Bill Village Hotel in Cody, Wyoming. The
meeting will be held on Monday, June 13 from 2 p.m. until
5 p.m. and Tuesday, June 14 from 8 a.m. until noon. For
more information, contact Michelle Kautz at
mkautz@e85fuel.com.
CONTACT US. . .
Please feel free to e-mail your story suggestions,
comments, corrections or clarifications to us at
info@e85fuel.com
or call us toll free at 877-485-8595.
Phillip J. Lampert, Executive Director
info@e85.com
Shelia Helzer, Director of Administration
shelzer@e85fuel.com
Kathy Frese, CPA, Director of Finance
kfrese@E85Fuel.com
Michelle Kautz, Director of Communications
mkautz@E85Fuel.com
Roger Listenberger, Director E85 Fuel Networking
Phone: (217) 877-5267
rlistenberger@E85Fuel.com
Bob Raffety, Infrastructure Development Coordinator
Phone: (618) 939-4754
braffety@e85fuel.com
Louise Saucier, Membership Coordinator
lsaucier@E85Fuel.com
Christi Vander Voort, NEVC Iowa E85 Coordinator
Phone: (712) 737-6415
cvandervoort@E85Fuel.com
You may view this FYI online at
http://www.e85fuel.com/news/index.htm
NEVC promotes the use of 85
percent ethanol as a renewable form of alternative
transportation fuel while enhancing agricultural
profitability, advancing environmental stewardship and
promoting national energy independence. |
|
|
|
