This edition of the
NEVC E85 FYI Newsletter Sponsored by:
To learn more about sponsoring our newsletter or website, contact Michelle Kautz at 573.635.8445.
In This Issue:
FYI Newsletter Volume 13, Issue 11, August 3, 2007
• NEVC Testifies on Capitol Hill
• GM Days of Summer Tour
• Air Force Culminates 7 Year Effort
for E85 Infrastructure
• NCGA Introduces Corn Commentary Blog
• UL Publishes Requirements for
Some E85 Equipment
• E85 Soon to be Available in Alabama
• NEVC Staff Addresses MO Fleet Managers
• New NEVC Members
• NEVC Member Spotlight–
The Brendle Group, Inc.
• New E85 Stations
• Letters to the NEVC
NEVC Testifies on Capitol Hill
- Source: E&E Daily, July 30, 2007
As the House and Senate head towards a likely conference on the first major piece of energy legislation of the 110th Congress, a Senate Energy and Natural Resources panel held a hearing on July 31 in which Executive Director of the NEVC Phil Lampert testified.
The Energy Subcommittee scheduled a hearing on renewable fuels infrastructure, specifically looking at how to change the existing fuel distribution system to account for the anticipated larger volumes of ethanol and other biofuels.
”The 1,251 E85 fueling stations operating today in 41 states across the nation pale in comparison to the number of sites needed to satisfy the demands of the motoring public and the nation’s automakers,” said Lampert.
The subcommittee also heard from Energy Department Assistant Secretary Andy Karsner, as well as from ethanol and refining industry officials.
Committee spokesman Bill Wicker said one of the reasons for the hearing was to get lawmakers better prepared with the issues associated with the expansion of a renewable fuels infrastructure as the chamber gets set for a conference on energy legislation that attempts to address some of those items.
Both chambers are expected to produce energy bills containing language designed to spur development of the new infrastructure.
Specifically, the Senate approved a bill last month that provides a federal loan guarantee of up to $250 million for renewable fuel facilities, grants for creation of renewable fuel corridors and grants for transport of biomass to refiners. The House version, which is expected to come to the floor this week, will likely provide grants for the installation of E85 fuel pumps and the production of flex-fuel vehicles, as well as authorize $1 billion in grants for cellulosic ethanol development.
The Senate goes a step further than the House in the renewable energy arena, including in its legislation language to establish a 35-billion-gallon renewable fuels mandate as well as creation of a separate mandate for cellulosic ethanol. Although senior members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee floated a similar mandate earlier this year, committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) has decided to postpone consideration of the biofuels mandate until the fall climate change bill.
To see Lampert’s complete testimony, click here.
GM Days of Summer Tour
- Source: Austin Business Journal, July 24, 2007
General Motors kicked off its E85 Days of Summer campaign in Houston, Texas. This is the first of a seven-city tour to promote the use of E85 and help dispel misconceptions surrounding the fuel. A media forum and dealer meeting on July 24 was followed by two more days of promotional activities, including an 85-cents-per-gallon E85 ethanol fuel giveaway at a local Kroger station and consumer events during two Houston Astros games.
E85 Days of Summer will also travel to Dallas and the San Antonio/Austin area before stops in Chicago, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Miami. This tour will include E85 fuel promotions at many of the refueling sites and educational forums at universities.
GM has partnered with various state governments, fuel providers, retailers in 13 states and Washington, D.C., and the NEVC to build the E85 infrastructure up from its current level of over 1,200 fueling stations nationwide.
To see a video regarding the E85 Days of Summer promotional tour, click here.
A GM representative sits on the NEVC board of directors and the automobile manufacturer is a member of the coalition.
Air Force Culminates 7 Year Effort for E85 Infrastructure
FE Warren Air Force Base is now the sixth E85 facility to become operational and culminates the seven year effort to provide alternative fuel at all Air Force Space Command state side locations.
“Air Force Space Command has taken a leadership role in providing alternative fuel (E85 and Biodiesel) for our bases and have assisted many other Air Force Bases prepare their infrastructure for the use of alternative fuel as well,” said Charles F. McGarvey Jr. CIV DAF. “The use of E85 in Air Force Space Command and the US Air Force will help us achieve our goal of reducing the use of fossil fuel, increasing our demand for domestic renewable fuels while providing a cleaner environment for our children to inherit.”
The preliminary estimates for fuel consumption are approximately 3,500 gallon per year for 71 FFVs. With the exception of Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado which will soon be installing E85, all of the major air force units are up and running with the renewable fuel.
The following Air Force bases now dispense E85:
Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida
FE Warren AFB, Wyoming
Malmstrom AFB, Montana
Patrick AFB, Florida
Peterson AFB, Colorado
Vandenberg AFB, California
"This has been a long difficult road for the U.S. Air Force but we commend them for their commitment to the use of domestic-renewable transportation fuels,” noted Executive Director of the NEVC Phil Lampert. “Air Force Space Command is a small but critical component in the nation’s defense community. The next logical step would be for each branch of the Dept. of Defense to undertake similar efforts and integrate E85 into their transportation fuels systems. The NEVC is prepared to assist the entire Department of Defense as we have done with Space Command.”
NCGA Introduces Corn Commentary Blog
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has launched the agriculture blog Corn Commentary. NCGA will be posting commentary on issues such as food and fuel, corn production, farm bill, ethanol and more and invites reader comments on the articles posted. Additionally, NCGA invites readers to pass along the corn commentary link to others who may find the information on the blog of interest.
To visit the blog go to www.corncommentary.com.
NCGA is a valued member of the NEVC.
UL Publishes Requirements for Some E85 Equipment
- Source: Underwriters Laboratory, Press Release August 2, 2007
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) announced that it will accept requests for certification investigations for gaskets and seals for use with concentrated ethanol-blended fuels such as E85.
In order to develop the requirements that will be used for certification, UL conducted a gasket and seal ethanol-blended fuel compatibility research program. The objective of this research was to subject various materials to a variety of test conditions with ethanol-blended fuels and to assess the effects of those fuels on the materials.
The results of UL's research indicate that certain commercially available gasket and seal materials formulated for this specific use can be expected to perform acceptably when exposed to motor vehicle fuels blended with high concentrations of ethanol, including those that contain an optional corrosion inhibitor additive. However, some materials experienced significant deterioration during the research tests. The research results were reviewed by UL's E85 Technical Panel, which includes global experts in ethanol material compatibility.
"These results confirm the necessity of establishing safety requirements for E85 dispensers that take into account the long-term effects of exposure to ethanol," said John Drengenberg, UL's Consumer Affairs Manager.
Testing of gaskets and seals for compatibility with ethanol/gasoline blended fuels such as E85 is part of UL's extensive research program into the public safety aspects of the equipment used to store and distribute these fuels. As previously announced, research to establish E85 fuel dispensing equipment certification requirements continues on schedule. UL anticipates completion of the research and development of certification requirements by year-end. Thereafter, UL will accept product submissions for E85 dispensers. For more information on UL's E85 safety testing initiatives, visit: http://www.ul.com/regulators/e85.cfm.
"Building a safe and reliable biofuels infrastructure is an essential step toward meeting the President's goal of displacing 20 percent of gasoline consumption within the decade by commercializing cost-effective biofuels nationwide," U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Andy Karsner said. "Expanding the use of clean and abundant homegrown fuels will decrease our reliance on imported oil, increase our energy security, and benefit our environment."
The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition has been closely involved with the UL E85 certification process and will continue to report on the status of the investigations. The NEVC web site contains a large amount of information regarding state Fire Marshal’s response to the UL issue.
E85 Soon to be Available in Alabama
- Source: Montgomery Advisor, July 18, 2007
Montgomery, Alabama will be along a route of stations offering alternative fuels from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico beginning in April 2008, according to Mark Bentley, executive director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition.
Bentley's group is working with the state and gas station operators to bring Alabama's locations to life. Pumps spaced no more than 150 miles apart will be nestled close to Interstate 65 from the Tennessee border to Mobile. The pumps on the "clean corridor" will sell both ethanol and biodiesel, Bentley said.
That is welcomed news to Dean Vette, general manager of Capitol Chevrolet. He is selling several models of flex-fuel cars that can use regular gas or ethanol.
Right now, there is no source of ethanol nearby. The cars can use all of either fuel or a combination of both.
"We are starting to go with models that environmentally conscious consumers want," Vette said. "Unfortunately, stations aren't out on the road. We told (customers) that when they are, they will be ready to go."
In 2006, there were 111 ethanol plants in America. At least 75 more are now under construction, Bentley said. That supply will be matched by a greater number of flex-fuel vehicles in showrooms, Bentley predicts.
He said General Motors now has more than two million cars on the road that can burn either gas or an alternative fuel. In addition, at least 31 models made by major manufacturers for 2007 use flex-fuel with plans for 2008 calling for even more, Bentley said.
Bentley's group is holding meetings with existing station operators in September to inform them of the fuel station program, and how up to 50 percent of their costs for installing alternative fuel pumps and tanks can be offset through government grants.
For a complete listing of E85 fueling locations, visit www.E85Refueling.com.
NEVC Staff Addresses MO Fleet Managers
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources held their annual state fleet workshop in Jefferson City, MO on July 31. NEVC Deputy Director Michelle Kautz addressed participants.
“There are currently about 118,000 FFVs registered in Missouri, and a large number of these vehicles are in the state fleet,” noted Kautz. “The state of Missouri has been a supporter of E85 for a very long time and we commit to assist them to include more infrastructure for the many vehicles.”
Alternative Fuels Coordinator, Department of Natural Resources Energy Center Cindy Carroll moderated the workshop. “ We had over thirty five people attend the annual State Fleet Managers' Workshop, with eighteen different state agencies represented. We had good discussions on purchasing alternative fuel vehicles for the state fleet and educating state employees on using E85 and biodiesel fuels, as mandated by state statute."
Ethan Taylor, E85 Coordinator of the Missouri Corn Growers Association, also gave a presentation on the in-state efforts to continue to promote the use of E85 throughout Missouri.
NEVC New Members
NEVC welcomes these newest corporate members to the coalition:
BJ Ag Producers, Inc.
Colorado School of Mines
Flatt Farms
Witt Farms
For more information about the corporate benefits of membership in the NEVC, visit http://www.e85fuel.com/membership/corporate_membership.php. Email Haley Wansing at hwansing@e85fuel.com or call (573) 635-8445 ext. 12 to sign up today.
Member Spotlight–The Brendle Group, Inc.
The Brendle Group, Inc. is an engineering consulting company specializing in energy efficiency, pollution prevention, water conservation and sustainable design. The group promotes sustainability on all fronts.
“When helping our developer clients,” noted Julie Sieving of Brendle Group, “we often recommend that all fuel stations in their projects include E85 pumps. NEVC has helped us understand the technical and cost components involved with this type of undertaking. We always promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles, E85, and flexible fuel vehicles.”
The company believes the fostering of research and development for the use of more efficient plant materials (e.g. switchgrass) in the production process, combined with the development of more conversion kits for older model vehicles would really help propel the market for renewable fuels.
Welcome the Brendle Group, Inc. to the NEVC!
New E85 Stations
Below is a list of fueling facilities which have installed E85 since the issuance of our last NEVC newsletter.
The following 10 facilities are or will soon be carrying the clean-burning, alternative—E85:
Shell
220 West Virginia Street
Crystal Lake
IL
Martin's Super Markets
1551 Bashor Road
Goshen
IN
Meijer Gas
3955 US 31 South
Traverse City
MI
Lucky Seven General Store
26 W. 3rd Ave N
Aurora
MN
Kwik Trip #429
4868 208th Street North
Forest Lake
MN
Kwik Trip
8225 Crossings Blvd
Shakopee
MN
Westbrook – Expressway C-Store
102 Main Street
Westbrook
MN
BP Station
N168 W22224 Main Street
Jackson
WI
Kwik Trip #417
1220 Brown Street
Oconomowoc
WI
Tri Par
5015 Highway P
West Bend
WI
There are currently 1,256 E85 stations available across the United States. For a complete listing, go to www.E85Refueling.com.
To inform us of changes to our E85 site, please email info@e85fuel.com.
Letters to the NEVC
Letters to the NEVC - This section highlights emails and letters 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. Comments included in Letters to the NEVC do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.
E85 Helps
I am writing to you about the topic of ethanol based fuels, E85. I’m a high schooler from New Prague High District 721.
I believe ethanol based fuel is a must for today not only because it is a cleaner based fuel and gives off less greenhouse emissions, but more importantly it will help our economy. Starting with the farmer – being a farmer myself I think E85 is already helping to improve the price of corn and other grains of which E85 can be made. Along with helping the farmer it also helps create jobs on American soil which is a must. Many companies are outsourcing many jobs these days providing less jobs for the American working class. This causes more and more people to go into poverty year after year. I hope that you will certainly try to put more E85 stations up.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
Sincerely,
Christopher Jirak
It’s a Great Thing
I think that clean fuel grown in our own backyard is a great thing. Having grown up in a farming community I am all for the support of agricultural based initiatives. I can see further down the line the conversion of some of the corn crops now used to grow "Corn Syrup" crops being used for ethanol. Making us a healthier nation I can also see the tobacco crops being converted to corn crops. Again, making us healthier.
Keep up the good work.
Tina
Please feel free to email your story suggestions, comments, corrections, or clarifications to info@E85Fuel.com, or call us toll-free at 877.485.8595.
Thanks for the emails to the NEVC! Feel free to email us with your comments at anytime.
NEVC Calendar
August 7-9, 2007
American Coalition for Ethanol’s 20th Ethanol Conference and Trade Show at the St. Paul River Centre in St. Paul, MN. For more information, visit www.ethanol.org.
September 10-12, 2007
International Distillers Grains Conference, Educating and Empowering End Users hosted by Distillers Grains Magazine and BBI International at the Hilton Minneapolis in Minneapolis, MN. For more information, go to www.distillersgrainsconference.com.
September 14-15, 2007
Pima Association of Governments’ Alternative Energy Expo at the Tucson Convention Center. For more information, visit www.TucsonAltEnergyExpo.com.
October 9-11, 2007
Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show – Western Region, Building a Biofuels Industry at the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront in Portland, OR. For more information, go to www.biofuelsworkshop.com.
November 7-9, 2007
2007 PEI Convention at the NACS Show in Atlanta, GA. For more information, go to http://www.pei.org/show.
November 28-30, 2007
Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show – Eastern Region, Building a Biofuels Industry at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, go to www.biofuelsworkshop.com.
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.
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.
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