WASHINGTON, D.C. – Growth Energy joined some of America’s top biofuel champions for a celebration marking the expansion of consumer access to E15, a fuel blended with 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed September 16th to be Ethanol Day in his state, an announcement mirrored by Mayors of South St. Paul and Minneapolis. Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad declared E15 Day in Iowa and North Carolina Mayors Jennifer Roberts of Charlotte and Bill Bell of Durham also declared E15 Day in two of North Carolina’s largest cities.
“Across the country, policymakers and consumers are recognizing how renewable fuels grow the economy, protect our environment, and dramatically reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We’re grateful our champions in Iowa, Minnesota and North Carolina for helping us bring new options to consumers that will save them money at the pump. Higher ethanol blends like E15 support new jobs, and they keep our engines running strong without the toxic additives associated with fossil fuels.”
Most gasoline sold in the United States contains at least 10 percent ethanol. Fifteen percent blends were approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2011 for all 21st century passenger vehicles, and are being offered at approximately 330 locations in 26 states. Due to summer fuel regulations from the EPA, many retailers are largely prohibited from selling E15 from June 1 through September 15. Growth Energy and other champions hope to change that, and a bipartisan coalition of governors recently joined their call with a letter urging EPA officials to lift outdated regulatory barriers on clean, affordable biofuel.
“E15 is critical to America’s energy future. Ethanol and other advanced biofuels help slash carbon emissions and keep U.S. dollars out of the hands of hostile nations,” Skor added.
Leading retailers offering E15 include: Sheetz, Thortons, Murphy USA, MAPCO, RaceTrac, Minnoco, Protec and Kum & Go.
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