Gov. Heineman Announces Return of E85
Ethanol Blend to Lincoln
(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today marked the commercial return of E85 ethanol-blend fuel pumps to Lincoln and pledged to continue state support of what he described as an unparalleled opportunity for rural economic development. Lincoln’s new option brings the statewide number of E85 fueling stations to 15.
On behalf of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, the Governor also accepted the keys to a Chevrolet Avalanche Flexible Fuel Vehicle from General Motors (GM). The board will use the vehicle to further its promotion of E85 fuel, a blend of 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline.
“Few things mean more to rural Nebraska than ethanol, and cities like Lincoln offer larger markets for ethanol products,” Gov. Heineman said. “Increasing the availability of E85 is a key step toward making this value-added product a viable alternative for everyday driving.”
The Governor reiterated his support for the ethanol incentives before the Legislature, mentioning the projected growth of E85 as a reason more ethanol plants should be built.
As part of the grand opening of the E85 pump in Lincoln, located at the Gas ‘N’ Shop at 1545 Cornhusker Highway, the fueling station and convenience store offered E85 for 85 cents a gallon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Pursuing new markets for ethanol will provide widespread benefits not only for Nebraska’s rural communities, but for our entire state,” Gov. Heineman said. “By increasing the use of ethanol, we strengthen our state’s economy and help to protect the environment by promoting the use of this cleaner-burning fuel. I applaud the efforts of our many partners working to increase the availability of this home-grown fuel.”
Nebraska fueling stations sold more than 500,000 gallons of E85 in 2004. The state ranks third in U.S. corn production, producing approximately 1.1 billion bushels annually, and it produces more than 520 million gallons of ethanol annually at 11 ethanol plants. Estimates show that roughly a quarter of the state’s corn crop goes into ethanol production.
Todd Sneller of the Nebraska Ethanol Board said, “Use of E85 is projected to increase significantly this year and in the near future due to increasing availability at filling stations and its advantageous price compared to gasoline.”
Phil Lampert, Executive Director of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, said, “E85 is a clean burning, domestically grown alternative transportation fuel that can be used in a growing number of vehicles being produced today. Ethanol made from corn reduces petroleum fuel use by 98,000 barrels per day and provides jobs for American farmers.”
The Nebraska Ethanol Board, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition and GM are collaborating as part of a two-year partnership meant to raise public awareness and increase E85 use in flexible-fuel vehicles, which can use E85, gasoline or any other combination of the two. There are an estimated 25,000 flexible-fuel vehicles in Nebraska.
Gary Herwick, former Director of Alternative Fuels for GM, said, “General Motors is pleased to help sponsor the E85 promotion in Lincoln that encourages consumers to try this alternative fuel and take advantage of the benefits. We support the use of E85 because it’s an alternative fuel that relies on domestic production.”
Established in 1971, the Nebraska Ethanol Board assists ethanol producers with programs and strategies for marketing ethanol and related co-products. The board supports organizations and policies that advocate the increased use of ethanol fuels. It also administers public information, education and ethanol-focused research projects and assists companies and organizations in the development of ethanol production facilities in Nebraska.
