In This Issue:

FYI Newsletter Volume 8, Issue 13, August 14, 2003 

•   New E85 Tank in Amarillo, Texas •   E85 Pump at Truck Stop in Missouri •   Senate Passes Energy Legislation

•   Senator Bond Supports the Energy Bill •   New E85 T-Shirts Now Available •   New Photos on the NEVC Website •   Letters to the NEVC

Senate Passes Energy Legislation

In a strange turn of events, the 1^st Session of the 108^th Congress recently approved an Energy Bill that had actually been previously passed by the 2^nd Session of the 107^th Congress.   

Going into 2003, the leadership of the U.S. Senate had been transferred to a Republican majority from the 2002 Senate whereby Democrats held the majority with a one member margin.  Senator Bill Frist, Senate Majority Leader, had established passage of an updated energy legislation as a high priority of this term of Congress.  However, as is often the case, the 2003 energy bill became bogged down with amendments, a lack of time on the calendar, and partisan debate on federal appointments. 

During 2002 and after eight weeks of floor debate, the Senate had been able to pass a bill, however, that legislative effort died in a Conference Committee with the House when the 107^th Congress adjourned in December of 2002. 

On July 28, 2003 one day prior to the August recess, discussion began on the floor of the Senate regarding the potential of passing the bill that the Senate had passed the prior year.  It had become obvious that the Senate was not going to be able to meet the schedule that had been established to complete debate on a new version of the legislation, and the unusual question was raised regarding the acceptability of this Senate approving a bill previously approved by another session of Congress.   

Ultimately, both the Senate majority and minority leadership agreed that approving last year’s version of an energy bill was preferable to not approving any energy legislation in this year.  As such and with a vote of 88 to 14, the Senate passed an Energy Bill and sent it to the House leadership with a request for a conference.

It is anticipated that the Conference Committee (the members of which have not yet been appointed) will begin addressing the differences between the Senate and House versions in early September upon return to Washington.

Senator Bond Supports the Energy Bill

Missouri Senator Kit Bond met members of the media and agricultural organizations on August 6, 2003 to celebrate the energy bill passed by the U.S. Senate on July 31.  Bond met at the Missouri Farm Bureau Headquarters in Jefferson City, Missouri to boast about the “great news for Missouri farmers and our entire rural economy.” 

The press conference also included members from the Missouri Farm Bureau Association, National Corn Growers Association, and staff from the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition and the National Biodiesel Board. 

Bond said that if the new energy bill was signed into law (members of the NEVC may view the full version by clicking here) it would create about 300,000 new jobs. 

“The future looks bright for renewable fuels and for those who produce them,” said Bond.  “This will also help decrease our dependency on crude oil from hostile nations.”  The Senate Version of the energy legislation will next go to a conference committee where members of both the House and Senate will work together to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the legislation.

Following the press conference, Senator Bond and others traveled to the nearby Jefferson City Conoco station to fuel up a 2004 Suburban with E85.   

“This sticker should not say ‘Stop, this is not gasoline’, it should say ‘Go, this is E85’,” Bond joked while fueling.

The NEVC applauds the efforts of Senator Bond for helping with the passage of this energy bill and we wish to recognize his continuing leadership in the advancement of domestic-renewable fuels.

New E85 T-Shirts Now Available

Over 70 new photos of the Santa Fe, New Mexico E85 station grand opening have been added to the NEVC website.  Check out the pictures of the July 18, 2003 event by clicking here. 

 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.

The following email was written to NEVC Executive Director, Phil Lampert. . .

Thank you

Mr. Philip Lampert,

I do not know if I should thank you directly or not, for the E85 station here in Oklahoma City. I have been rather unsuccessful in my early attempts to locate ethanol fuel. Most people that I asked were completely unaware of this type of fuel source. Some even looked at me as if I were NUTS. Nonetheless I tried to locate a fuel source. I finally gave up two months ago, when I contacted a fuel distributor and got the brush off. I was ready, at that time, to purchase a large quantity of fuel for myself, and store it at my home. I felt that I ran out of options. BUT, thankfully this station opened in OKC. I can truly stop looking.
I wanted this type of fuel for a couple of different reasons:

One I wanted to be different. I purchased a flex fuel vehicle at a Ford dealer in Norman. I inquired about the flex-fuel system. The salesman really did not know what a flex vehicle was, he referred me to the shop, So I asked them, they did not know either. This situation really got me interested in ethanol as a fuel, mainly because I developed curiosity for the product.

Lastly, I want to use the product because it is good for the environment. I own a residential cleaning business. My goal is to buy and use products that are environmentally friendly. This, I am proud to say, is one the best finds and most useful products that I will buy on a regular basis.

I would like to thank you for helping to promote E85 and procuring a station(s) in the Oklahoma City area. If you can, I would like to see if we can get a station to sell this fuel in Norman or Noble, Oklahoma. Not to mention, some where in Memphis, TN. This is where I plan on moving to in the near future. I would like to continue to use ethanol there, when I move.

If you need help with sales, I am a very satisfied consumer, I would help to promote this product. If you have any E85 stickers, I would like to display them on my work vehicles.

Thanks Again
Eoin Boyd - Owner
Extreme Clean

The following email was written to NEVC Director of Communications, Michelle Saab. . .

How Exciting!

Hi there: 

Wow, how exciting is the San Diego station opening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I live in central coast California - 1.5 hours north of Santa Barbara. Not only is there an E85 station in CA, but the station itself is the first real departure from a typical refueling station - neat!

Thank you for sending me this newsletter,
David DeBra

Different Oil?

To Whom it may Concern:

I haven't a comment, but I do have a question concerning the use of E85 fuel.  My question is; When using E85 fuel, does the engine require a different type of motor oil, also, does my engine have to be designed to burn E85?  I currently am driving a 1997 Buick.

Thank you in advance
John Trost

. . .

John,

Yes, your vehicle must be manufactured to burn E85.  Unfortunately, 1997 Buick's were not designed to run on E85.  You may find a complete listing of E85 compatible vehicles on our website at www.E85Fuel.com.  Most flexible-fuel vehicles do not require any different motor oils than gasoline powered vehicles.  If your vehicle is designed to burn the fuel, check your vehicle's owner manual for any special instructions.

Thank you for your interest.

Michelle Saab

Thanks for the emails to the NEVC!  Feel free to email us with your comments at anytime.

NEVC Calendar

August 17-24, 2003
Energy 2003 Workshop and Exposition in Orlando, FL.  Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Management Program and co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. General Services Administration.  Visit www.energy2003.ee.doe.gov or call 1-800-395-8574 for more information.

September 21-23,2003
The US Refining and Automotive Industries 2003 and Beyond - Coming Together of Energy, Environmental & Economic Issues in Washington, DC at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.  For more information, visit call 1-800-872-3835. 

October 8-11, 2003
National Conference of State Fleet Administrators 2003 Annual Conference and Trade Show in Keystone, CO.  For more information, call (623) 772-9096.

March 2-4, 2004
Commodity Classic 2004 in Las Vegas, NV.  For more information, visit www.commodityclassic.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

Michelle Saab, Director of Communications
info@e85.com

Randa Barker, Director of Administration
info@e85.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.