In This Issue:

FYI Newsletter Volume 9, Issue 13, August 19, 2004 

•  Unique Fueling Center Offers E85 •  SEP E85 Grants Announced •  Two New E85 Stations in Iowa •  Senator Grassley Supports E85 •  City of Jacksonville Opens E85 Pump •  Renewable Fuel Poster Now Available     on NEVC Website

•  ACE Conference Brings Attention     to E85 •  Illinois Law Aims to Boost Ethanol,     “Flex" Vehicles •  Third E85 Location Opens in New     Mexico •  E85 Now Offered in Hays, Kansas •  Letters to the NEVC

Unique Fueling Center Offers E85

First Fuel Bank in St. Cloud, Minnesota will soon be pumping E85.  However, the station is unlike any of the other fueling facilities in Minnesota.  It is a prepaid fueling station.

“We have our own system where a customer can purchase a bulk amount of fuel and we’ll store it,” said Danette Burlet, Office Manager for First Fuel Bank.  Burlet stated that it can be advantageous for the customer to purchase a large amount of fuel before the price increases.

The 8,000 gallon converted gasoline tank will store the clean-burning, alternative fuel at 1701 Division Street in St. Cloud.

”We’re hearing more about state vehicles using E85.  The fuel is becoming ever more popular,” commented Burlet.

“Times constantly change,” commented Jim Feneis, CEO for First Fuel Bank, “and people have to accept change.  We’re excited to offer what we think is the fuel of the future and to know that nearly all of the product is renewable.”

The First Fuel Bank in St. Cloud also carries regular gasoline, premium and diesel fuel.  For a complete listing of E85 facilities in Minnesota and throughout the U.S., visit www.E85Fuel.com.

Two New E85 Stations in Iowa

E85 will soon be available at Ampride at 121 North Floyd Avenue in Hinton, Iowa.  The facility will become the eleventh in the state to sell the renewable, alternative fuel. 

The 6,000 gallon retrofitted premium gasoline tank will store the fuel for eight E85 pump nozzles.  The Petroleum Department Manager at the Ampride feels that this is a positive step for the station.  “Ethanol, in the E10 blend, has always been a large seller for us.  We’re farm based and selling E85 will give us more of a chance to push the product that we Iowans grow.”

The station’s amenities include a convenience store and carries unleaded, super unleaded and diesel fuels.  The site is open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. seven days a week. 
 

A second E85 facility opened on August 18 in Story City, Iowa.  The Cenex Pump 24 is located at the corner of Market and Broad Street.  The premium unleaded storage tank was retrofitted to store the renewable product.

“We recently remodeled the station in Story City,” said Harlan Borton, Petroleum Manager for the Heart of Iowa Cooperative who owns the station.  “We need to help our farmers and installing E85 is a way of doing so.  We also want to be a leader in the industry by carrying E85.”

The station is open 24 hours a day and can only be accessed by credit card.  They are planning a grand opening event for September 11 where E85 will be sold for 85 cents a gallon.  Food will be served and FFVs will be displayed. 

Borton also noted that an E85 pump will be open in October in Nevada, Iowa.  Look for more information on this station to come soon.

Harlan Borton and Mark Britten fill up an FFV pick-up at their station in Story City, IA.

Senator Grassley Supports E85 at State Fair

Senator Grassley visited the E85 exhibitor booth and Christi Vander Voort, Iowa E85 Coordinator, at the Iowa State Fair on Tuesday, August 17.  The senator mentioned that we need to get serious and pass an energy bill.

The booth, located in Farm Bureau Park, was sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and the NEVC.  Attendees of the fair picked up E85 brochures and NEVC baseball caps.  Coupons for $2 off refills of E85 were also distributed. 

“About half of the people I spoke with were familiar with E85,” said Vander Voort.  “Many individuals drove FFVs and said they would fill up their tank with the product if it were available in their area.”

There are currently twelve E85 stations in Iowa which include those in Akron, Ames, Council Bluffs, Hinton, Lake Mills, Northwood, Orange City, Rock Rapids, Sergeant Bluff, Sioux Center, Story City and West Burlington.  Go to www.E85Fuel.com for station addresses.

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley, Larry Meints of Pine Lake Corn, Bernie Punt of Siouxland Energy and Livestock Cooperation, Mike Jerke of Quad County Corn Processors and Christi Vander Voort of the NEVC. 

E85 has come to northeastern Florida.  The City of Jacksonville along with the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) has installed the clean-burning fuel at 555 West 44^th Street.  The facility plans to fuel more than 350 flexible-fuel vehicles.

“This is a large cause for excitement,” exclaimed Kathy Para, coordinator of the site who works for the JEA.  “Here in the city we are very concerned about vehicle emissions and as a country we are concerned to decrease our dependency on foreign oil.”

Each JEA FFV will have an E85 fuel decal near its fuel cap, an information sheet attached to each visor, and each driver will receive an information card that will include the following statement about E85:

   Alternative Fuels in JEA Vehicles

Sixty percent (60%) of the JEA vehicle fleet is capable of using alternative fuel.  JEA, Fleet Services, works in collaboration with the City of Jacksonville, Fleet Management Division, to develop the use of alternative vehicle fuels. 

Ethanol (E85):  Ethanol is an alcohol-based alternative fuel produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Feedstocks for this fuel include corn, barley, and wheat. Ethanol can also be produced from "cellulosic biomass" such as trees and grasses and is called bioethanol. Ethanol is most commonly used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline. Original equipment manufacturers produce flexible-fuel vehicles that can run on E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) or any other combination of ethanol and gasoline.  JEA has acquired flexible-fuel, light duty vehicles that are capable of using either gasoline or E85.  For more information on ethanol, contact the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition at www.e85fuel.com or the Alternative Fuels Data Center of the U.S. Department of Energy at www.afdc.doe.gov

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN JEA FLEET VEHICLES, CONTACT KATHY PARA, JEA FLEET SERVICES, 904-665-5742.

A grand opening is planned for August 26.

Renewable Fuel Poster Now Available on NEVC Website

The Clean Fuels Development Coalition along with the NEVC and the Nebraska Ethanol Board have worked together to create a poster recognizing renewable fuels.  The 24 X 35 inch poster displays each state’s license plate while personalizing it with a clean fuel statement.  Cost for the poster is only the cost of shipping.  Visit http://www.e85fuel.com/nevc/cdfc_poster.htm to view the poster in more detail.  Contact lsaucier@e85fuel.com to order.

E85 was brought to attention at the 2004 American Coalition for Ethanol Conference (ACE) held in Duluth, Minnesota from August 10-12.  The event was kicked off by an E85 Tailgate Party sponsored by General Motors and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.

“We really believe in E85," Gary Herwick, Director of Alternative Fuels for General Motors (seen left), said at the event while standing in the bed of a 2005 GMC Sierra FFV pickup.  A 2004 GMC Tahoe was also displayed at the event. 

Other speakers at the reception included Phil Lampert of the NEVC, Wendy Vincent of ACE, and Ron Fagen of Fagen, Inc.  Many giveaways were raffled off including BBQ grills and camping chairs. 

“The tailgate party themed hospitality reception was enjoyed by all who attended,” commented Michelle Kautz of the NEVC who attended the ACE Conference.  “We thank General Motors for their generous support for the event.  We look forward to working with them in months to come in promoting E85 and GM FFVs.”

Almost 3,700 gallons of E85 were sold for only 85 cents at the two Duluth E85 stations for both days of the ACE event.  The Holiday Stationstore #85 at 9314 W. Skyline Parkway and the Lake Superior ICO at 2516 London Road were involved with the promotion.

-from Reuters News Service, Aug. 16, 2004

A new Illinois law will encourage use of corn-based ethanol by promoting "flexible fuel" vehicles and construction of service stations supplying the mostly-ethanol E85 fuel in the state.

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich on Monday signed legislation, House Bill 5129, that requires the Illinois Secretary of State to create a database of flexible fuel vehicles which are built to run on E85, a fuel that is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

"Right now, many drivers don't even know they're driving cars that could use E85 fuel. And if they do, there aren't many places to fill up with E85," Blagojevich said in a statement.

"This bill will fuel our efforts to promote E85 in Illinois and hopefully lead to more E85 fueling stations across our state," he said.

The database will help companies interested in determining where to invest in E-85 fueling stations by identifying where flexible fuel vehicles are located throughout the state. There are now fewer than 50 E85 fueling stations in Illinois.

Third E85 Location Opens in New Mexico

New Mexico’s third E85 pump has opened at the Amigo Mart #803 at 1229 Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe.  The 6,000 gallon new tank and pump is one block away from the New Mexico Transportation Department who have about 90 FFVs.

“This facility will have three biofuels:  E10, E85 and biodiesel,” said Charles Bensinger of Renewable Energy Partners of NM, an organization who helped establish the site.  The station also has the pay-at-the-pump option, a convenience store, ATM and is open 24 hours a day. 

“There is also a used car lot, Aspen Motors, that intends to mention the fuel to their FFV customers,” said Bensinger. 

Bensinger also stated that this facility will be the most conveniently accessed of all E85 stations in the state. 

E85 Now Offered in Hays, Kansas

The Power Plus located along the I-70 corridor at 3505 Vine Street in Hays, Kansas is now selling American made E85.  The facility is the fourth in the state to offer the product.

“What makes this station significant is that motorists driving along I-70 can now fill their flexible fuel vehicles with E85 in Missouri, and then take advantage of our two Kansas locations along I-70 in Topeka and Hays, and then refuel at E85 stations on the Colorado Front Range,” according to KCC Director of Value Added Programs, Robert White. “If you don’t have a flexible fuel vehicle, Power Plus offers E10 Unleaded with 10 percent ethanol which is approved for use in all gas-powered vehicles.”

The fuel is currently 19 cents below unleaded and the station plans on selling the renewable fuel lower than unleaded at all times.  A grand opening is being planned.

Kansas’ four E85 fueling sites include those in Topeka at Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower Silver Lake Road; in Maize at the Maize Kwik Shop, 5340 N. Maize Road, and in Garnett at Petro Plus, 120 South Maple.

 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 letter was written by Phil Lampert to the editor of Fleet Management:

Editor

Fleet Management

Box 599, Brookfield, IL 60513

In a recent publication you report on the efforts of the Nebraska Ethanol Board to expand the use of 85% ethanol in flexible fuel vehicles.  The article correctly states that the Nebraska Ethanol Board and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition are jointly working to expand the availability of E85 fueling infrastructure and are also available to assist with answering questions concerning tax incentives, pump location, criteria, etc. 

Unfortunately, you sully the article with your “Editor’s Comment:  The agriculture industry continues to push ethanol for one reason-it provides another market for corn and could smooth out the wide price swings to typical for farm crops.  There is no other reason to promote ethanol because it is not an efficient fuel.”

These comments reflect your lack of knowledge of the ethanol industry and agriculture in general.  Let me summarize:

1.      Ethanol production simply adds value to corn.  During 2003, 57% or 5.7 billion bushels of corn were used for livestock, poultry and swine feed.  When ethanol is produced from corn, only the starch is removed and 100% of the protein, minerals, and vitamins remain in the dried grains.  This product is in turn fed to livestock.

2.      The Argonne National Laboratory of the U.S. Dept. of Energy has issued several detailed reports on the value of ethanol and particularly E85.  According to a July 1999 Argonne report, a copy of which may be found at http://www.transportation.anl.gov/pdfs/TA/58.pdf, per vehicle mile traveled, the use of E85 achieves:

a.      73-75% reduction in petroleum use

b.      14-19% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

c.       34-35% reduction in fossil energy use

3.      In a July 2002, the United States Dept. of Agriculture issued a report on the new energy balance of ethanol and found that it provides 34% more energy than is used in producing, harvesting, and transporting corn.  A copy of that report can be found at http://www.usda.gov/oce/oepnu/aer-814.pdf.

While you may not personally be an advocate of the use of ethanol, by making the comment in your publication that “there is no other reason to promote ethanol because it is not an efficient fuel,” you are doing a great disservice to your subscribers and readers.  The fact is that ethanol is fuel efficient, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, promotes domestic energy security, and yes, advances agricultural profitability.  The next time you eat that steak, pork loin, or chicken breast, remember it was made tender and flavorful by the protein, minerals and vitamins found in corn.  Not the starch that is used to produce ethanol.

Sincerely,

Phillip J. Lampert

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

Dear Ms. Kautz,

I read an article about renewable fuels in the Santa  Fe Reporter, and if possible I would like to do my part and use E85. Can you please let me know whether (I know this is doubtful) I can use it in my 1995 Chevy Tracker? 

Sincerely,
Diane Stayner

. . .

Diane,

Unfortunately, your vehicle was not manufactured to burn E85.  You can find a complete listing of E85 compatible vehicles on our website at http://www.e85fuel.com/.

-Michelle Kautz

This correspondence was sent to E85 supporter William Kessler regarding Xcel Energy. . .

William,

Thanks for your interest in Xcel Energy's fleet of vehicles and the potential benefit of operating on E85 fuel!  We are aware of the interest in this clean, domestic fuel and have done quite a bit of alternative fuel research within our fleet during the past 25 years.  In addition to ethanol blends, we have hands-on experience with compressed natural gas, methanol, propane, and even a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen called "hythane". We currently have over 200 natural gas vehicles in operation.

We buy Ford Taurus cars with the E85 FFV 3.0 L engine and look forward to the chance to fuel them on ethanol.  At the time being, these vehicles run primarily on gasoline because they are typically fueled at on-site fuel locations which must carry regular unleaded for the majority of our fleet. These vehicles are deployed as pool cars and have different drivers each day, which makes fueling them at the special sites which carry E85 impractical.  We recently obtained maps of the E85 fuel sites in Minnesota and are discussing how best to implement the change to E85 in these vehicles.

With petroleum at record high costs, we will be looking at alternative fuels with special interest to ensure we continue to run a clean, reliable and cost-effective fleet on behalf of our shareholders and ratepayers.  I'm sure E85 will be in the mix.

Mark Hennesy

Director, Fleet
Xcel Energy

. . .

Phil,

I thought you would like to know about the changes at Xcel Energy Utility to utilize E85.  Xcel is the upper  Midwest’s largest shareholder utility.

- William Kessler

. . .

William,

Thanks for your support.  I'll forward your note to Tim Gerlach our MN E85 coordinator and ask that he follow up with Xcel to provide them maps of the more than 100 public E85 stations in the state.

Thanks again!

Phillip Lampert

. . .

Dear Mr. Hennesy:

Mr. Kessler and others have contacted the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) in regard to the possibility of expanding the use of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) in Xcel Energy's fleet operation, and the importance of using E85 fuel in those FFVs.

My office works closely with the NEVC and we serve as the primary point-of-contact for the public-private Minnesota E85 Team. Since 1998, the American Lung Association of Minnesota has managed the MN E85 pilot market on behalf of the E85 Team (see members listing below). Presently, 100+ E85 Minnesota fueling outlets are operating and more than 100,000 FFVs have been registered in the state to date.

We wish to offer our services to you in assisting with employee/driver education, materials, publicity, and partnering on making E85 fueling available to Xcel drivers.

We may also provide Xcel with in-vehicle materials, keychains, fleet desk signage/reminders, presentations to decision-makers and employees, retail fueling discounts and other items that may be of assistance.  We would also want to heavily publicize Xcel's proactive move to E85 if this were deemed appropriate by Xcel's communications office. 

In addition, we may have the ability to partner financially with installing new or converting existing fueling equipment for E85 at one or more of Xcel's fueling facilities.   

If you are able to identify the retail outlets that are most often frequented by Xcel personnel, we could also work with one or more of these retailers to ensure E85 is available to the Xcel fleet.

I look forward to the possibility of working with you and Xcel Energy. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss this further.

On behalf of the Minnesota E85 pilot market,

Tim Gerlach

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

NEVC Calendar

August 31 – September 1, 2004
Energy Technology Expo and Conference in Denver, CO.  For more information, visit www.energytechexpo.com.

September 8-9, 2004
Power Crops for the Americas in Miami, FL.  For more information, email lindsey.sumpter@informa.com.

September 22-25, 2004
National Association of State Fleet Administrator Conference in Branson, MO.  For more information, visit http://ncsfa.state.ut.us/.

September 27-30, 2004
Defense Energy Support Center 2004 Worldwide Energy Conference at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA.  For more information, visit http://www.desc.dla.mil/.

February 24-26, 2005
Commodity Classic in Austin, Texas.  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

Randa Barker, Director of Administration
info@e85.com

Kathy Frese, CPA, Director of Finance
kfrese@E85Fuel.com

Michelle Kautz, Director of Communications
mkautz@E85Fuel.com

Roger Listenberger, Director E85 Fuel Networking
rlistenberger@E85Fuel.com

Louise Saucier, Membership Coordinator
lsaucier@E85Fuel.com

Christi Vander Voort, NEVC Iowa E85 Coordinator
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.