Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Volume 2, Issue 9

USDA last week announced rule-making change to the Rural Energy for America Program that allows for grant and funding assistance to Flex Fuel pump infrastructure. The grants will be awarded through NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. USDA has assigned a Rural Development Energy Coordinator to handle applications for this program. Read more about the program and see a list of local grant writers at EthanolRetailer.com or contact the USDA Rural Development Branch Chief, Mr. Kelley Oehler, at 202-720-6819 or kelley.oehler@wdc.usda.gov.

In addition, Growth Energy hosted USDA officials on a webinar to discuss some of the details of the program. Watch an archive of that Webinar here.

Watch the Webinar

With that, let's go right into this issue's ethanol retailer news.

Read Growth Energy's blog posts on RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Featured Links

• See if Your Vehicle is Ethanol Blend Compatible
• Find an Flex Fuel Station in Your Area

Growth Energy: USDA Grant Program Will Allow Retailers to Grow their Business

A new program announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide grants and loan guarantees for Flex Fuel pump installation will give retailers the opportunity to grow their business by offering consumers greater choices at the pump, according to Growth Energy, the leading voice for the U.S. ethanol industry. Details of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) were released today including information on levels of funding available and application procedures.

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New York Lawmaker Wants Greater Fuel Choice For Cars

A Westchester-Rockland congressman was calling for more cars that aren’t solely gasoline-dependent as a means to battle rising gas prices.

Saying consumers can’t keep paying what they have been at the pump, Rep. Eliot Engel was pushing a bill that would establish an open fuel standard.

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Nebraska: Renewable Energy Workshops set for April 26th in Beatrice and April 28th in Norfolk

For farmers, lenders, small businesses and others interested in small-scale renewable energy projects, one-day conferences will provide information about what technologies are available and how they can be applied. The conferences will be held April 26th in Beatrice and April 28th in Norfolk.

The conference is intended for farmers, ranchers, small-business owners, economic developers, lenders, equipment vendors, grant writers, and county officials. Attendees will learn about small-scale renewable energy technologies, including flexible fuel pumps; hear from local resource providers; and gain a step-by-step understanding of the project development process.

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Growth Energy Partners with Crossroads General Stores to Install Flex Fuel Pump in Bowling Green, Mo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Growth Energy, the leading voice for U.S. ethanol supporters, has teamed up with Crossroads General Stores to install a Flex Fuel pump in Bowling Green, Mo. The new pump is located at 1001 Business 61 South in Bowling Green, and was installed with assistance from Missouri Corn Growers Association and Growth Energy’s 2010 E85 and Flex Fuel Pump Program.

“Providing consumers with greater access to ethanol will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and strengthen our energy security. Growth Energy is pleased to have been able to assist Crossroads General Stores in their efforts and we know Bowling Green residents will appreciate their newfound choice at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.

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Twin Cities Clean City Coalition Top Gas Use Reducer

The U.S. Department of Energy has released a national ranking of Clean Cities programs that have had the most impact in the reduction of gasoline use. At the top of the list is the Saint-Paul-based Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition. The group has been instrumental in a reduction of 135,175,133 cumulative gallons of gas displaced between 2005-2009. The release was actually part of a move by the DOE to help accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs). As part of the program, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the availability of $5 million in new funding for community-based efforts to deploy electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and charging stations.

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2012 Cadillac SRX Offers More Powerful 3.6L Engine

Cadillac will offer a new, more powerful engine for the 2012 SRX, providing buyers of the luxury crossover with improved acceleration both from a standstill and when passing.

The SRX will receive a 3.6L direct-injected V-6 engine projected to deliver 300 horsepower (224 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque, according to preliminary tests by Cadillac. The SRX’s current 3.0L direct-injected V-6 engine provides 265 horsepower (198 kW) and 223 lb.-ft (302 Nm) of torque. SRX models with the new engine are expected to arrive at dealerships in late summer. Pricing will be announced closer to the start of production.

The new engine also is Flex Fuel capable, meaning it can use either gasoline, E85 ethanol or any combination of the two. EPA fuel economy ratings have not been finalized, but Cadillac expects the SRX to provide customers with comparable real-world fuel efficiency. The current engine has an EPA rating of 18 city/25 highway mpg.

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Propel Fuels CEO Matt Horton Provides Comments to Congress on Importance of Consumer Access to Renew

Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels (www.propelfuels.com), provided comments to Congress on Thursday, April 7th on the importance of providing convenient consumer access to increase the use of renewable fuels, as well as on steps legislators can take to ensure the needed infrastructure can be rapidly and efficiently built nationwide. As the West Coast’s leading retailer of E85 Flex Fuel and biodiesel, Propel submitted comments to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to provide key customer perspectives on the Department of Energy’s biofuel programs and biofuel infrastructure issues, and on S. 187, the Biofuels Expansion Act of 2011.

Read More >>

Letters to Growth Energy

This section highlights emails and letters to Growth Energy. Send your comments and letters to marketdevelopment@growthenergy.org.

Dear Growth Energy Market Development,

I live in Port Huron, Michigan and travel across the state for work, where can I find a list of Flex Fuel pumps and E85 pumps in Michigan?

Jon,

Thank you for your inquiry on our website. Currently there are several pumps in Michigan. You may visit http://ethanolretailer.com/find-an-e85-station/ for a list of all ethanol blended stations. This website is updated daily with new and removed stations. Specifically with Port Huron, MI there is one station: Speedy Q market: 4446 Lapeer Road, Port Huron, MI. There are other ethanol blended stations in MI, but they are at least 27 miles away from Port Huron.

Growth Energy is currently working with many organizations to get more infrastructure installed as quickly as possible. In fact, Carbon Green Bioenergy and Growth just assisted a retailer in Nashville, MI in converting their E85 pump to a flex fuel pump.

-Growth Energy Market Development

Events Calendar

To submit a Calendar item, email marketdevelopment@growthenergy.org.

GrowthEnergy represents the producers and supporters of ethanol who feed the world and fuel America in ways that achieve energy independence, improve economic well-being and create a healthier environment for all Americans now!