As America's enthusiasm for ethanol continues to strengthen, so too does the infrastructure to provide the alternative fuel to motorists. The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) announced Oct. 6 that there are now more than 1,000 publicly and privately accessed E85 fueling stations throughout the United States—1,040 as of Oct. 26. Appropriately, the 1,000th station was opened in Minnesota, the state with the most E85 stations by far (more than 300), according to Michelle Kautz, director of communications for the NEVC. The Cenex station on 320 3rd St. N.W. in Bemidji, Minn., holds the honor of being the 1000th E85 fueling location, she said.
 
 "Just this year alone, we have introduced E85 to a significant number of stations," Kautz said. "It's a very exciting time for us … and we've been fortunate to be involved with every opening of each station throughout the country."
 
 At the time of the NEVC's announcement, the number of E85 stations had more than doubled since the same time last year. Stations continue to open in the Midwest, but they are also now popping up in new regions of the country, such as Florida and Oregon, where the states' first public E85 retail stations opened in September. Larger entities, such as retail grocer Meijer and gasoline chain vendor Sheetz, have also added E85 pumps to new locations.
 
 Despite the large number of additional projects aided by the NEVC in 2006, the E85 lobbying group found out in August that its request for funding from the U.S. DOE had been denied. That funding may have been shifted to federal and state governments, which at that same time increased grants for E85 stations. When the NEVC didn't receive its previously awarded federal funding, it was forced to make a few adjustments, but the organization insists the issue has been positive overall. Whereas the organization used to operate through a budget process, it now operates on an ongoing funding system, increasing accountability. NEVC Chairman Curtis Donaldson is currently in negotiations with the DOE and believes that federal funds are on the way, just through different channels than before.
 
 "We don't just have high hopes but believe full-on that the deal will get done," Donaldson said. "We are very satisfied with where we are document-wise, and I believe we are getting close in the days ahead."
 
 He and NEVC Executive Director Phil Lampert have been in constant communication with members of the DOE, through phone calls and visits to DOE's headquarters at the nation's capitol, Donaldson said, adding that the NEVC wants to remain partners with the DOE, as well as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In turn, the DOE recognizes the strength that the NEVC brings to the table as an organization, Donaldson said. "They don't want us not to be in the middle of it because it's our stock and trade, our specialty," he said.

E85 stations hit milestone, continue to grow

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Upcoming Events

2024 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

Biodiesel Summit: Sustainable Aviation Fuel & Renewable Diesel

Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

North American SAF Conference & Expo

2025 International Biomass Conference & Expo

E85 stations hit milestone, continue to grow