In This Issue:

FYI Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 5, May 13, 2005 

• Help in Supporting E85 •  Beating the Oil Companies to    Death with a Stalk of Corn •  Nebraska E85 Promotion Success •  USPS Delivers Alternative Fuel Success •  SC Sells Almost 5,000 Gallons    of E85 at Promotion

•  NEVC Attends Clean Cities     Conference •  Big Oil Awash in Big Profits •  BBC Visits U.S. to Learn About E85 •  NEVC Member Spotlight Article --    Drake Oil Company •  Letters to the NEVC

Help in Supporting E85

E85 Fuel Utilization and Infrastructure Development Incentives Act of 2005

U.S. Senators Barack Obama, Jim Talent and Dick Durbin have introduced legislation (click here to see a copy of S918) that would provide federal income tax credits to support the establishment of new E85 fueling stations and also provide a new incentive to ensure that E85 is priced below unleaded gasoline.  Our task now is to help them add cosponsors to their bill and build support for its enactment.  Please click here for a copy of a draft letter that we urge you, your organization or business to consider sending to your United States Senators on your letterhead.  We are also asking that your members or employees be encouraged to write on behalf of this critically important legislation.

Please forward a copy of your group's letter to the NEVC electronically or by fax so that our Washington representatives can follow up on your correspondence.  For contact information for your United States Senators, please click here.   

This is an extremely important issue for the future of E85 and now is the time that we need your help! 

Thank you very much for your continued support of domestically produced and renewable E85. 

Nebraska E85 Promotion Success

Bosselman Energy’s Pump & Pantry #27 at 4311 2nd Avenue in Kearney, Nebraska sold almost 1,500 gallons of E85 for 85 cents per gallon at their Grand Opening celebration on April 13. The station is the third Pump & Pantry in the state that sells the product.

“It’s so much cheaper,” said a General Motors dealership’s Sales Manager Loren Killion. “People are definitely interested in it right now.” Killion also added that they recently ordered more vehicles that can be fueled with the clean burning, alternative fuel because demand for them is increasing.

Pump & Pantry also has E85 dispensers in Grand Island and Hastings. Other E85 locations in Nebraska include those in Grand Island, Aurora, Lincoln, York and Omaha.

Bosselman Energy is planning to open many additional E85 locations in the near future.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) consistently surpasses its EPAct AFV acquisition requirements. It has almost 37,000 AFVs and in FY 2004 received 373 credits for its use of biodiesel. The Northland District is one USPS district successfully translating its AFV acquisitions into alternative fuel use.

The Northland District provides postal service for most of Minnesota and part of Wisconsin. Its AFVs of choice are flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are capable of using gasoline or gasoline-ethanol mixtures up to E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). “We have the opportunity to use E85 because so many stations offer E85 in Minnesota,” says Robert Kunowski, the Northland District’s Manager of Vehicle Maintenance. “We should be leaders because we have the opportunity.”

Of the district’s 3,594 light-duty vehicles, 525 are FFVs. These include 324 light delivery trucks, 167 minivans, and 34 administrative vehicles. The district tracks fuel use for the light delivery trucks, which mainly fuel at commercial stations. In 2004, the trucks used 214,000 gallons of E85, up 29% from the year before. Kunowski estimates that the FFV delivery trucks use E85 85% to 90% of the time.

How has the Northland District achieved such high E85 use? “We position our FFVs so they are near stations that offer E85,” says Kunowski. “And if FFV drivers don’t use E85, we take the vehicles away from them and assign them to drivers who will use E85.” This is a big incentive to use E85 because the district’s non-FFV delivery trucks are 10 to 20 years old, and drivers much prefer the model year 2000-2001 FFVs. The district’s 2005 goal is 95% E85 use among its FFV delivery trucks.

Asked to give advice on establishing a successful alternative fuel program, Kunowski emphasizes the importance of an accurate fuel use tracking system. “You have to have good facts and data to make good decisions,” he says. He also stresses educating managers and staff on E85 goals and procedures and designing the program to be cost effective. “You need to balance the cost with the environmental benefits of alternative fuels,” says Kunowski. “And remember, we only get one environment.”

Article originally printed in What’s New: Spring 2005 Update, the bi-annual newsletter for agencies covered by EPAct Federal Fleet Requirements and Executive Order 13149.  Obtained through the DOE EPAct Regulated Fleet Initiatives.

Spinx Oil E85 facility

Spinx Company in South Carolina have recently held grand opening celebrations at their two E85 locations. The sites in Greer and Greenville held their grand opening events which sold E85 for 85 cents per gallon on April 22. The stations at 1519 Whitehorse Road in Greenville and 2497 South Highway 14 in Greer sold 4617 gallons of E85.

 

Spinx Oil receiving a load of E86.

“It’s very exciting to finally get these infrastructure projects going,” said Wendy Bell, Clean Cities Coordinator for the region. “There’s a lot of interest in E85 and it’s important in South Carolina because it is a fuel we can grow here.”

There are a total of nine E85 facilities in the state of South Carolina, six of which were funded through the Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition.
 

Almost 900 individuals attended the 11^th Annual Clean Cities Conference in Palm Springs, California May 1-4 along with NEVC staff.  The conference informed its participants of clean burning fueling alternatives available now and vehicles that will be available in the future.

“The conference was a great opportunity to speak to individuals about the importance of E85 as well as other alternative fuels,” stated Curtis Donaldson, Clean Fuel USA President and Chairman of the NEVC. 

The NEVC sponsored a Clean Cities Coordinators’ luncheon (coordinators in attendance are shown above left) where Executive Director Phil Lampert expressed the NEVC’s strategies on developing more E85 infrastructure.  He focused on the importance of the passage of the Energy Bill.

“We have been working to pass an update to the Energy Bill for the past three years.  It is well recognized that the nation needs to do more to advance the use of alternative transportation fuels, hybrid vehicles, low emission diesels, and fuel cell vehicles,” said Phil Lampert, Executive Director of the NEVC. “As alternative fuel advocates, citizens, and parents, let’s all pledge to redouble our efforts this year to pass an update to our nation’s energy plan.”
 

The NEVC also sponsored an exhibitor’s booth at the conference where attendees could inquire about E85 and flexible-fuel vehicles.

GM Representatives display the new 2006 E85 Compatible Impala.

- By Michael Liedtke of the Associated Press, May 1, 2005

Pumped up by persistently high energy prices, the oil industry maintained its streak of massive -- and growing -- quarterly profits last week, aggravating motorists and amazing financial analysts.

"I have been following this industry for 18 years and I have never seen anything like this," said Oppenheimer & Co. analyst Fadel Gheit. "It's like they're printing money."

The results of the world's four largest oil companies illustrate just how well the industry has fared lately. Since the end of 2003, Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companys, BP Group PLC, Exxon Mobil Corporation and ChevronTexaco Corporation have earned a combined $97 billion, including $23.8 billion during the first three months of this year.

Although crude oil future prices retreated below the important psychological threshold of $50 per barrel Friday, Gheit and other industry analysts expect the industry boom to continue, largely because the demand for energy is expected to grow faster than the supply.

"As far as you can look out, things look pretty rosy for (oil) refiners," said Tom Kloza, chief energy analyst for the Oil Price Information Service in Wall, N.J.

The bottom line for consumers: U.S. gasoline prices seem likely to stay above $2 per gallon through the summer -- traditionally the time when more drivers are hitting the road for vacations and burning up more fuel.

Gasoline prices have climbed even higher since the oil industry closed the books on its first quarter, reaching a national average of $2.28 per gallon for unleaded regular grade last month.

The national average stood at $2.24 per gallon Friday, a 24 percent increase from $1.81 last year.

NEVC note:  Shouldn’t we be helping our farmers with their profits instead of oil companies? 

Much of the information acquired from Tim Wagner of the Beacon News

Peeved when paying at the pump because going in for the weekly fill-up isn't exactly a gas these days?

Think ethanol, says Vicky Hartmann.

Affectionately known as "Ethel" to her co-workers around the showroom at Fox Valley Ford, Hartmann is a staunch advocate of the corn-based fuel, specifically E85, a mixture of about 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent regular unleaded gasoline.

It is more than just the significant price difference, which tends to hover between 15 and 20 cents per gallon less than regular unleaded, that steers Hartmann toward ethanol.

"It's better for the environment," Hartmann says. "It helps decrease this country's dependency on foreign fuel, and it's totally renewable — it's made from corn, for crying out loud, so it's great for farmers."

Hartmann's advocacy toward E85, which is designed for use in flexible-fuel vehicles, has caught the attention of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

A three-person crew from the BBC, along with several farmers from the United Kingdom, traveled to the States on Saturday to visit several communities in the Midwest, home to the majority of the nation's cornfields.

Hartmann was first introduced to the BBC through the National Ethanol Vehicle Corporation, the country's primary advocate dedicated to the use of ethanol as a form of alternative transportation fuel.

The BBC crew, which was here through Tuesday afternoon gathering information for an upcoming documentary called Costing the Earth, is investigating possibilities of use of ethanol-fueled vehicles in the UK, where wheat serves as the main crop. Ethanol also can be made from soy beans and barley.

"I'm no scientist," said BBC environmental correspondent Tom Heap, "but I figure the yield of ethanol you get from an acre of corn and an acre of wheat is similar."

After a trip to the rolling farmlands of Monroe, Wisconsin, the BBC crew made its way to North Aurora, where Heap interviewed Hartmann, the resident ethanol empress, both on and off camera for the documentary, which will air May 12 on both television and radio.

"We tracked her down, and she couldn't have been more helpful," Heap said. "And that's why we're here."

The city of Aurora has an ethanol fueling station at its central garage and uses E85 in 50 of its 680 vehicles, said Joe Hopp, director of Aurora's fleet operations.

The city's station is not for public use, and therein lies the problem: the closest refueling station that offers E85 is in Elgin.

There are currently 42 public refueling stations in Illinois, up from just 10 a year ago, said Hartmann, "and I'm ecstatic about that .‚.‚. I hope it doubles next year.  I don't sell (E85), but I try to make people aware of it," Hartmann says. "Knowledge is power, and just knowing that your vehicle can use this, I think it's up to the general public to say, 'Hey, local gas station, give me this choice.' Americans like choices, and I think, given the choice, they'll make the right ones, too."

NEVC note:  We thank Vicky Hartmann and Fox Valley Ford for their overwhelming support of E85!

Drake Oil Company, Inc., owned by Ken and Tracy Drake, is one of the newest corporate members of the NEVC.  They own the E85 facility at 300 North Highway 183 in Sargent, Nebraska (station shown below).  The Drakes are currently selling E85 for 45 cents below regular unleaded.

“We joined the NEVC in order to get more information on E85 fuel to promote the product to our customers,” said Tracy Drake.  “Since the U.S. imports more than half its fuel, we have taken interest in providing our customers with an alternative fuel.”

Ken and Tracy also own a farm in their community.  “We feel alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol are products important to our area since farmers are our primary customers,” added Tracy.

Thank you for your support of E85, Tracy and Ken!

This email was written to NEVC Executive Director, Phil Lampert.

Is My Vehicle Compatible

Sir:

Thank you for your very informative web site. Despite all of the information contained on this site, I could not find where my particular make and model of vehicle is able to use the E85 product. Could you please help me? I drive a 2003 Jeep Wrangler. I noticed several Chrysler vehicles listed but nothing from Jeep. I had heard that most of the newer model vehicles could use the E85. Is this also true of the newer Jeep vehicles? If Jeep does not recommend using this fuel, would it still be OK to put a tank full in once in a while? Thank you for your help. Good luck. I hope for the good of our farmers and also the good of our country sale of this product continues to grow and become more and more popular.

Sincerely,

Richard Moma
Blue Mound, Illinois

. . .

Richard,

Unfortunately, your Wrangler was not produced as a flexible fuel vehicle. In fact, for the past two years, Chrysler has not made any FFVs that were for sale to the general public, but rather limited sales to fleets only. We are concerned with this action and have been pushing them to open the vehicles up to the mass market.

Liability issues prevent me from recommending that you introduce any form of fuel into your vehicle for which it was not designed. We simply cannot recommend that you use E85 in a gasoline only vehicle. That having been said, there is much evidence that many drivers do use small amounts of E85 in gasoline only vehicles without any damage to the vehicle.

Thanks for your interest in the use of E85 and your nice comments. Please contact me at any time we may be of assistance.

Phil Lampert

NEVC Calendar

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 1000 W. College St. in Marshall, MO.  85 cents off per gallon of E85 with a maximum purchase of 10 gallons from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, contact Ken McClure at kmcclure@mfaoil.com

May 27, 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 10 a.m. - 4 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.