Member Spotlight – GROWMARK

GROWMARK recently renewed its membership within Growth Energy Market Development. GROWMARK is a regional cooperative providing agriculture-related products and services , as well as grain marketing in 21 states and Ontario, Canada.

GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by affiliated member cooperatives. The FS brand represents knowledgeable, experienced professionals acting with integrity and dedication to serve more than 100,000 customers. This Agricultural supply cooperative started over 86 years ago as a viable source or supplier for fuel in the Midwest. GROWMARK operates in four main territories, which started in WI, IL and IA, they have since branched out into OH, MI, IN, OK, AR, NE, SD and. ND. More information is available at www.growmark.com

According to Mark Dehner, Marketing Manager for Refined and Renewable Fuels for GROWMARK, it was a natural progression to support and market renewable products, including E85, to members and customers. Currently they have 39 stations with E85 and 2 facilities that will be installing blender pumps. The blender pumps will be located in the Southern part of IL and Central Iowa. “ I expect more blender pumps to come. They make a lot of sense in today’s marketplace,”

Their primary interest in joining Growth Energy Market Development was to gain technical information and marketing tools. “We started populating retail facilities with E85 and got a lot of information from the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC).As the NEVC merged into Growth Energy we became members. There is a learning curve for equipment and material compatibility, hoses and nozzles. Technical expertise was available from start to finish and that was very helpful in making the transition” noted Dehner.

According to Dehner an obstacle challenging the growth of alternative fuels and FFVs is having E85 available at the terminal level. When GROWMARK began distributing E85 they were one of the first jobbers. The product was delivered by a tank wagon truck based in Central IL and went as far as Omaha, Kansas City, Cincinnati, etc. Not a real efficient distribution model, but felt it was their obligation as a renewable fuel marketer to make sure E85 was available. Over time this has changed and become more readily available at terminals.

“I think the industry and Growth Energy are doing their part with consumer education, but we should all have conversations with retailers, gas station owners and the consuming public, as face to face conversations on biofuels are beneficial. There is a lot of misinformation out there and we need to do our part to tell the right story. Our efforts for GROWMARK are to build ethanol infrastructure and continue to aggressively market ethanol. Ethanol is good for our culture, good for our environment, lessens dependence on foreign oil and good for national security” noted Dehner.

New E85 and Blender Pump Stations

There are currently a total of 2,235 E85 stations and 208 blender pump stations

New E85 and blender pumps as of the last newsletter:

** Represents blender pumps

New and Renewed Growth Energy Market Development Members

Aurora Cooperative
Frontier Travel Plaza

Growth Energy Partners With Rocky Point Citgo to Offer High Level Blends of Ethanol in New York

WASHINGTON, DC — Growth Energy has joined forces with Rocky Point Citgo to introduce another E85 fueling facility in the state of New York. Rocky Point Citgo is located at 557 RTE 25 A, in Rocky Point, NY and has opened an E85 pump with assistance from Growth Energy’s 2010 E85 and Blender Pump Program.

“It’s exciting to see more retailers in the Northeast installing high level ethanol fueling pumps,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “We are pleased to assist Rocky Point Citgo in their efforts to provide motorists with greater fuel choice at the pump.”

When asked why he installed E85, Tom Campbell, the owner of Rocky Point Citgo said it was simple. “I felt with the high cost of regular gasoline and with more and more vehicles being made that are flex fuel, the significant price difference would sway customers to switch over to E85.”

Rocky Point Citgo started selling E85 in June of this year, but also offers E10, regular unleaded, midgrade and diesel.

Rocky Point is the 66th E85 fueling station in the state of New York and is a member of Growth Energy’s Market Development. To date, Growth Energy has issued grants to support a total of 90 ethanol fueling sites across the country, including 50 E85 pumps and 40 blender pumps. To find a listing of all E85 sites throughout New York and across the nation, go to www.E85Refueling.com.

For more information on the 2010 Growth Energy E85 and Blender Pump Grant Program, contact the Growth Energy Market Development office at 1-877-485-8595 or at scourter@growthenergy.org.

Valero Corner Store Begins Selling E-85 Fuel

Source: CSP

SAN ANTONIO — Valero Energy Corp. has announced today that one of its company-owned Valero Corner Stores in San Antonio has begun selling E-85, a blend of fuel consisting of up to 85% ethanol blended with unleaded gasoline. E-85 is approved for use in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which continue to grow in popularity with buyers of new cars and light-duty trucks.

Valero also announced plans to continue introducing sales of E-85 at new Valero Corner Stores as they're built. The stores will continue selling all grades of gasoline and diesel fuel at its locations.

The first San Antonio store launching the sale of E-85 is offering the fuel in a separate and clearly marked dispenser.

The new addition to the fuels offered at Valero Corner Stores builds on increased use of ethanol throughout the United States, as mandated by the federal government. Nearly all gasoline sold at Valero Corner Stores—and all gasoline sold at the company's San Antonio locations—already contains up to 10% ethanol. The new E-85 offering will meet the needs of new FFVs, which are designed to run on either conventional gasoline or E-85.

"There are already millions of Flex Fuel vehicles on the road, and there's a growing market for E-85," said Gary Arthur,president of Valero's Retail Division. "As Valero builds new Corner Stores, we will continue to introduce E-85 sales to satisfy this growing demand."

Valero owns and operates nearly 1,000 Corner Stores in Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming.

San Antonio-based Valero owns or operates 15 refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 2.8 million barrels per day. Valero is also a leading ethanol producer with 10 ethanol plants in the Midwest with a combined capacity of 1.1 billion gallons per year, and is one of the nation's largest retail operators with approximately 5,800 retail and branded wholesale outlets in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean under the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar and Beacon brands.

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Op-Ed: Ethanol for America

Source: The Hill

For more than two years, a coalition of strange political bedfellows has done all it can to derail the advancement of the U.S. ethanol industry. These opponents of ethanol have engineered a well-orchestrated campaign that has misled and misinformed the American public about ethanol and its impacts and benefits – particularly when it comes to the American farmer’s ability to grow enough corn for food, feed and fiber.

With recently published reports from the World Bank and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it’s important to remind our friends in the media, policymakers and the public about those facts and the overall importance and benefits of ethanol. These new reports definitively and absolutely demolish the distortion that there is some sort of “food-versus-fuel” debate; these new reports conclusively state there is no competition between grain for ethanol, and grain for food.

Year to year, consistent and substantial increases in crop yields and harvest volumes have proven time and again that America’s farmers will continue to produce more than enough corn to meet demand for ethanol as well as meet domestic demand for food, for livestock feed, and for export – with ample corn supplies leftover for storage.

In mid-August, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that corn farmers are again on track for yet another record corn crop and yield per acre for this year – a crop estimated to surpass the records set in 2009—without adding a single additional acre of land into agriculture production.

Moreover, in late July, the World Bank disproved the biggest criticism of ethanol once and for all, by showing that the skyrocketing grocery bills of two years ago were not caused by ethanol, but rather, by rampant market speculation and record fossil fuel prices. It’s no wonder that ethanol’s foes – many of whom enjoyed record profits in the food and petroleum industry during that same period – concocted that myth as a convenient slight-of-hand to distract attention away from the real culprits.

Make no mistake. There is a well-funded attempt to disrupt and marginalize the U.S. ethanol industry, concocted by those with vested interests, particularly the food-manufacturers who keep grocery prices high, and global oil companies. But that cannot diminish the fact that America’s ethanol producers contribute greatly to the betterment of the nation.

Ethanol production is revitalizing America’s rural areas – some of the hardest hit by the economic downturn – creating and supporting the growth of more than 400,000 jobs across the country, contributing $53.3 billion to the nation’s GDP and generating $8.4 billion in federal tax revenues in 2009 alone. And ethanol delivers better value for the U.S. consumer on a dollar-for-dollar basis compared to gasoline.

Beyond its contributions to getting our economy back on track, ethanol is also improving our air and enhancing our security. In 2009 alone, U.S. production and use of ethanol reduced CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 16.5 million tons in the U.S. -- that’s the equivalent of removing more than 2.7 million cars from America’s roadways -- and it eliminated the need to import at least 364 million barrels of oil, keeping $21.3 billion in the U.S. economy.

Add to this the promise of cellulosic ethanol which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 86 percent compared to gasoline and can be made from a variety of feedstocks – from wood waste in Maine to citrus pulp in Florida – stimulating job growth and diversifying our energy supplies across the country.

Significant progress has been made in moving cellulosic ethanol to the marketplace, with multiple pilot and commercial-scale plants in various stages of planning, construction and operation around the country.

Ethanol’s positive impact on our economy, our energy independence and our environment is undeniable.

But ethanol can play an even bigger role as the cornerstone of a cleaner and more secure energy future for America if policymakers in Washington take decisive action when it resumes debate about comprehensive energy legislation this fall.

The Fueling Freedom Plan (available online at www.growthenergy.org/fuelingfreedom), proposed by Growth Energy – the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters – would do just that. If adopted, this plan would culminate in the ending of the industry’s federal subsidies, the investment in a national ethanol infrastructure including “blender pumps,” a U.S. fleet of “flex-fuel” vehicles, and a fair and open marketplace for fuel competition.

As a result, consumers would have real choices. Our air would be cleaner. Our prosperity would be enhanced. And our security would be strengthened.

Ethanol represents America’s best renewable, affordable, and reliable fuel. With Congress poised to again debate new energy legislation and with the consequences of our oil addiction so disturbingly and destructively clear, now is the time for Washington to enact policies that support the use and consumption of ethanol to ensure a cleaner, brighter future for our country.

The American people deserve nothing less.

Jim Nussle is a special advisor to the Growth Energy Board of Directors

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Iowa Station Owner Outlines Experiences with Installation of a Blender Pump

Jim Harskamp believes in ethanol fuel and believes in blender pumps. He installed a blender pump that sells 20, 30, 40 and 85 percent ethanol fuel about a year and a half ago at his gas station, Coop Gas & Oil at153 N Main Ave. in Sioux Center, IA. Harskamp has no regrets.

“Having a blender pump gives consumers a choice at the pump,” noted Harskamp. “Installing this pump was a no brainer.”

Coop Gas & Oil is selling the fuels at a reduced price to unleaded gasoline. Harskamp stated that he sold more E30 than the other fuels within the past month with 3,315 gallons. He said that consumers see E30 as being the best option at the pump or “sweet spot” for consumers as they don’t experience as much reduction in fuel mileage than when fueling up with regular gasoline. However, he noted that he has aslo had enhanced sales of E85 within the past year as well.

At first Harskamp was concerned that motorists would mis-fuel their conventional gasoline powered vehicles with the mid or higher blends of ethanol. To prevent the misfueling, Coop Gas and Oil would turn off the pump when a station attendant was not present. After being open for over a year, however, they no longer turn off the pump. “People now are educated enough and the pump is very well labeled, and we haven’t had any problems,” said Harskamp.

Coop Gas & Oil receives their ethanol fuel from Siouxland Energy and Livestock, a member of Growth Energy. Siouxland Energy and Livestock CEO/ General Manager Bernie Punt is also a member of the Growth Energy Board of Directors. The 60,000,000 million gallon per year ethanol plant is owned by 391 local farmers and is very close to the station. Harskamp noted, “Why not go four miles down the road to get the fuel instead of transporting it half-way around the world.”

Biofuel station opens in Oakland

Source: San Jose Mercury News

OAKLAND — The first day of a free alternative fuel giveaway started Tuesday with a trickle of motorists lured in by curiosity and the promise of a bargain: Five free gallons of biodiesel or an ethanol-based blend called Flex Fuel.

"It's an incentive for drivers to stop," said Emily Shellabarger, a spokeswoman for Propel, the Sacramento-based fuel company that opened a self-serve fueling dock at a Chevron station at 350 Grand Avenue.

The opening came amid the BP oil-drilling disaster and on the second Spare the Air day in the Bay Area.

"People are excited to have another choice," Shellabarger said.

Propel's Flex Fuel is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petroleum.

The biodiesel is almost all petroleum-based, with 5 percent coming from biofuels.

"Our pumps are a little bit different looking and it's a bit confusing, but we're an independent company," Shellabarger told a gray-haired woman who pulled up in a Chrysler Sebring.

The Sebring was not equipped for Flex Fuel although there are about a million cars on the road that are, including the 2009 Hummer H2.

Propel provides a list of Flex Fuel-ready vehicles at the pump. Motorists can also tell by the manufacturer's yellow gas cap.

They can check the website www.propelfuels.com/driveE85.

The regular per-gallon price for the Flex Fuel is $2.49; the biodiesel is $3.19 and comes from a supplier

called Western States Petroleum in San Jose. Mileage is comparable, Shellabarger said. Customers pay at the Propel pump with a credit or debit card, or an employee fleet card.

The pace of cars at the pump quickened by noon: A shiny Chevrolet Suburban, a 1982 GMC Sierra Classic pickup, a new model Volkswagen Golf.

But a woman returning a Zipcar was unable to take advantage of the deal because the Toyota Matrix she rented was not equipped for alternative fuels. No Hondas are Flex Fuel equipped.

The pump is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The promotion ends Thursday.

The Oakland location is Propel's third in the East Bay. Other sites include Fremont and San Jose, where a second location is slated to open soon.

A Berkeley location also is in the works.

Shellabarger said Propel would like to use non-corn-based ethanol, as well as less petroleum in the diesel blend.

But 5 percent is the maximum amount in a blend that California allows to be stored underground at filling stations, she said. The other roadblock, she added, comes from vehicle manufacturers that recommend no more than a 5 percent blend and will not honor warranties otherwise.

"We're working with what we have," she said "It's not a silver bullet. But it's a step in the right direction."

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Grand Forks Latest N.D. Location With Mid- and High-Level Blends of Ethanol

Grand Forks, North Dakota is now offering flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) owners the choice at the pump. The Valley Dairy station at 2401 S. Columbia Road is offering the ethanol blends of E20, E30, and E85.

According to the American Lung Assn. of North Dakota, a grand opening celebration will be held Aug. 24 and 25 at the Grand Forks facility. A ribbon cutting will take place at 10 a.m. on Aug. 24 and ethanol-blend fuel discounts on Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. During the promotion, E85 will be priced at $1.85 a gallon, the price of E30 will be discounted by 30 cents, and the price of E20 will be discounted by 20 cents. There will also be in-store specials throughout the week.

“Only flex fuel vehicles should use E85 or high-blend ethanol fuels, because they are specifically designed for them,” said Lisa Thurstin, a manager for the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest’s Clean Air Choice program. “There are more than 41,000 flex fuel vehicles already on the road in North Dakota, and more models that can use cleaner-burning E85 as well as gasoline are coming out every year. If you are driving one, we hope you will come out to Valley Dairy on Wednesday and try one of these new fuel choices.”

The fuel promotion is sponsored by Valley Dairy and members of the North Dakota Clean Air Choice Team including the North Dakota Corn Council, North Dakota Renewable Energy Council, North Dakota Department of Commerce, North Dakota Ethanol Council, North Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, General Motors Corporation, U.S. Department of Energy, Clean Cities and American Lung Association in North Dakota.

Currently, the state of ND has 67 E85 outlets including 44 ethanol mid-blend pumps. For a complete listing, go to EthanolRetailer.com/findethanol.

Growth Energy to Participate in Shaping Texas’ Fuel Ethanol Policy this Sept.

The Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) has been bringing decision makers and industry leaders together in Texas for more than 26 years to build the foundation for developing renewable energy.

TREIA has long believed that renewable fuels could be a major economic development play in Texas – The Energy State. Gasoline sold in the highly populated areas of the state is already blended with up to 10% ethanol as an oxygenate. That blending requirement alone consumes millions of gallons per year. Is Texas producing that ethanol in-state? Or are we sending money outside to acquire it? What are the E-85 opportunities? What new technologies are on the horizon? These questions and many others will be addressed when the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association presents

Shaping Texas’ Fuel Ethanol Policy

Omni Austin Downtown Hotel

September 10, 2010.

“This conference offers a clear picture of today’s realities and opportunities in a growing renewable energy sector that some may have written off,” said Russel Smith, Executive Director of TREIA. “The nation’s use of ethanol will continue to increase, and Texas has huge production possibilities and more flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on E85 than any other state. Our current approach to this important industry may leave money on the table.”

The conference features national, state and local leaders providing an update of the ethanol industry, developing and serving the market, the future of production technologies, Texas feedstock opportunities, and policy experiences in other states.

The draft agenda follows:

Shaping Texas’ Fuel Ethanol Policy

September 10, 2010

Austin, Texas

8:00 – 8:30 Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 – Welcome and Reopen the Discussion

Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association: Russel E. Smith, Executive Director – Austin, TX

Texas Department of Agriculture: Judy Fort – Austin, TX

Ethanol Production and Usage in Texas

Agri-Energy Solutions: Tim Snyder, President– Lubbock, TX

9:15 AM Keynote Session - National Ethanol Policy & Industry Update

Moderated by Steve Wiese, Clean Energy Associates & 2010 TREIA President

Renewable Fuels Association: Bob Dinneen, President & CEO – Washington, D. C.

Ethanol Industry Update, Meeting RFS2, the E10 Blend Wall

EPA/Office of Transportation and Air Quality: TBD - Washington, D.C.

Meeting the Goals of RFS2

10:15 AM Break

10:30 AM – Developing and Serving the Market

Panel Moderator:

Burl Haigwood, Clean Fuels Development Coalition –

College Station, TX

The National FFV Awareness Campaign

General Motors: Candace Wheeler, GM Technical Fellow – Warren, MI

General Motors’ Perspective on Future of Ethanol and Flex Fuel Vehicle Manufacture

Growth Energy: Phil Lampert, Vice President Market Development – Jefferson City, MO

National E85 Infrastructure, Issues, and Policy

CleanFuel USA: Curtis Donaldson, Founder & CEO – Georgetown, TX

E-85 Marketing and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Development in Texas

12:00 PM LUNCHEON - Sarah Bittleman, United States Department of Agriculture – Washington, D.C. (Invited)

1:00 PM - Ethanol Production Technologies and Co-products –

Viewpoints on their Near, Mid, and Long-term Adoption

Panel Moderator: Brent Bailey, 25X’25, Canton, MS

ICM, Inc: Greg Krissek, Director of Governmental Affairs – Colwich, KS

Dried Distillers Grains

U. S. Department of Energy: Zia Haq, EERE/Office of the Biomass Program – Washington, D.C.

Overview - Cellulosic Ethanol Conversion Technologies

Abengoa Bioenergy: Chris Standlee, Executive Vice President – Chesterfield, MO

The Bridge From Grain to Cellulosic

BP/ Verenium Corporation: (Invited)

Projections for Cellulosic Ethanol Production

2:30 PM - Break

2:45 PM Feedstock Opportunities for Texas

Panel Moderator: George Caldwell, Texas Farm Bureau - Waco, TX

Texas Corn Producers Board: David Gibson, Executive Director – Lubbock, TX

Producing Food, Feed and Fuel for Texas

Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board: Wayne Cleveland, Executive Director – Salado, TX

Sorghum’s Role in Achieving Advanced Biofuel Production Goals

Cellulosic Ethanol Development Company: Lesley Matthews Carey,

President – Eagle Lake, TX

Landowner/Producer Perspective

Ceres, Inc: Spencer Swayze, Director of Business Development – Thousand Oaks, CA

Biofuel Feedstock Development in Texas

4:00 PM - Policy Experiences in Other States

Nebraska Ethanol Board: Todd Sneller, Administrator – Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Polices, Education and Market Development Programs

Tennessee Clean Cities Program: Jonathan Overly, Director – Knoxville, TN

Tennessee E85 Infrastructure and Cellulosic Ethanol Project Development Programs

Florida Biofuels Association: Jeremy Susac, Executive Director – Tallahassee, FL

Impact of Florida Biofuel Polices on Ethanol/Biofuels Project Development

4:45 PM – Wrap-Up and Call for Texas Policy Ideas Going Forward

Russel E. Smith:

Discussion summary, gathering of new data and feedback, inventory of suggestions and ideas to move forward, and developing plans for additional discussions in the future.

Registration and sponsorships are available here.

Growth Energy Partners with Russell Oil Company to Offer High Level Blends of Ethanol in Marion

WASHINGTON, DC — Growth Energy has joined forces with Russell Oil Company to offer E85 fuel at ROC One Stop in Marion, Ill. ROC One Stop, located at 309 Deyoung Street, installed the pump with funding through Growth Energy’s 2010 E85 and Blender Pump program.

“We are pleased to work with Russell Oil to build out ethanol fueling infrastructure to give more Flex Fuel Vehicle owners access to high levels of ethanol,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “There are Flex Fuel Vehicles out there that have never run on anything but conventional gasoline because they don’t have access to mid and high level ethanol. Through our grant program we are working to change that reality by giving consumers a choice at the pump that includes clean, renewable ethanol.”

Jonathan Russell, Manager of ROC One Stop noted, “We appreciate the support of Growth Energy, the availability of informational materials, signs and the advice we have been given to promote the sale of E85. We believe the use of E85 will continue to increase and we plan to offer it in our new locations as our company continues to grow. We wanted to provide a quality fuel that is better for the environment, supports our local farmers, as well as help us to increase sales and fuel margins.”

ROC One Stop in Marion began offering E85 in May 2010.

Roc One Stop has become part of Growth Energy’s 2010 E85 and Blender Pump Program, offering funds to retailers for the alternative fuel infrastructure. Growth Energy is also assisting retailers with the technical aspects of installation and marketing of both mid and high level blends of ethanol. A complete list of all sites offering both mid and high level blends of ethanol may be found at http://www.e85refueling.com/

For more information on the 2010 Growth Energy E85 and Blender Pump Grant Program, contact the Growth Energy Market Development office at 1-877-485-8595 or at scourter@growthenergy.org.

$17K in Free E85 Fuel to be Offered at Kentucky State Fair

WASHINGTON, DC — Thorntons, Inc., a leading, independent gasoline/convenience-chain retailer carrying E85 fuel throughout the Midwest, is teaming up with the Kentucky Corn Growers Association (KyCGA) and the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC) to give away $17,000 in free E85 fuel at the 2010 Kentucky State Fair.

From August 19 until August 29, flex fuel vehicle owners can visit the Kentucky corn Shack, under the Great Kentucky Cookout Tent, to pick up free E85 fuel gift cards. The first 106 who stop by the shack each day will receive a $5, $20 or $100 promotional card. These cards can be used at any of the 11 Thornton’s E85 fueling facilities in Kentucky and Southern Indiana – including the nine in the state of Kentucky, two of which will be open by the end of August. You can find the listing of these stations at www.E85Refueling.com.

Growth Energy recently partnered with Thorntons to open 20 E85 stations within five states through their 2010 E85 and Blender Pump program.

“We commend these groups for their efforts to encourage the increased consumption of clean, renewable, ethanol,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “Ethanol cleans the air, strengthens our national security and provides an economic boost to our local communities in Kentucky and across the country.”

“We are very excited about the expansion of E85 fuel in our stores,” said Matt Thornton, Chief Executive Officer of Thorntons. “We support the use of ethanol, wherever it is economically available”.

“Not only are corn farmers feeding the world’s people and livestock, they are producing enough corn for all-American fuel ethanol. While ethanol can be found in 10 percent blends in all of Louisville’s gasoline, KyCGA, Thorntons, and KCFC have partnered to increase awareness about E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline,” said Executive Director of KyCGA, Laura Knoth. “This fuel can only be used in Flexible Fuel Vehicles, but there are nearly 100,000 of these vehicles on Kentucky’s highways today, and vehicle manufacturers continue to make more.”

Growth Energy Partners with Bridgehampton Service Station to Offer High Level Blends of Ethanol

WASHINGTON, DC — Growth Energy has joined forces with Bridgehampton Service Station to introduce another E85 fueling facility in the state of New York. Bridgehampton Service Station at 2148 Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton has opened an E85 pump with assistance from Growth Energy’s 2010 E85 and Blender Pump Program. Earlier this month, Growth Energy assisted with the installment of four other E85 stations in Long Island.

“We are pleased to partner with Bridgehampton Service Station to provide greater access to high level blends of ethanol for New York drivers,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “Increased consumption of ethanol will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, clean our air and help create jobs in Bridgehampton and across the country.”

Albert McCoy, sole shareholder of Bridgehampton Service Station LLC said, “One of the main reasons we decided to install E85 was because we have hundreds of FFV’s in our surrounding cities that can fuel up. We built a station that offers E85 because we recognize the local demand to do things ‘green’. An added incentive is that there was funding available to assist with infrastructure.”

The Bridgehampton station started selling E85 on June 5, 2010, but also offers E10 among other fuels. Since the installation of the E85 pump, Bridgehampton has been pumping 300-400 gallons of E85 fuel daily.

Bridgehampton has become part of Growth Energy’s 2010 E85 and Blender Pump Program, offering funds to retailers for the alternative fuel infrastructure. Growth Energy is also assisting retailers with the technical aspects of installation and marketing of both mid and high level blends of ethanol. A complete list of all sites offering both mid and high level blends of ethanol may be found at http://www.e85refueling.com/

For more information on the 2010 Growth Energy E85 and Blender Pump Grant Program, contact the Growth Energy Market Development office at 1-877-485-8595 or at scourter@growthenergy.org.

Member Spotlight — Gate Petroleum

Gate Petroleum recently renewed its membership within Growth Energy Market Development. The group has three E85 stations in the state of Florida.

Gate Petroleum was established in 1960 by Herbert Peyton, who opened the first Gate Service station in Jacksonville, FL. The name “Gate” was derived from the 1960’s chamber of commerce slogan “Jacksonville” or Gateway to Florida. Gate is a privately held company and this year marks the company’s 50^th anniversary.

According to Buzz Hoover, Vice President of Petroleum Supply for Gate Petroleum, their primary interest in joining Growth Energy Market Development was because they wanted to be able to take part in an organization that supports alternative fuels and believes in what Growth Energy’s initiatives are. Previously, Gate petroleum was a member of the NEVC, in which Hoover worked closely.

“Ethanol is a way to ease our current situation in Florida. Every drop of gasoline comes by water so if we use ethanol that is home grown, it is a step in increasing our energy security and cleaning our air,” noted Hoover.

Currently, Gate Petroleum has 3 retail fueling sites that offer E85, they are located at:

• Gate 3210 US Highway 17 South Orange Park, Florida
• Gate Post 2946 SR 136 White Springs, Fl. 32096
• Gate 463779 State Road 200 Yulee, Florida

New E85 and Blender Pump Stations

There are currently a total of 2,212 E85 stations and 204 blender pump stations. New E85 and blender pumps as of the last newsletter include:

** Blender pump available at this facility

New and Renewed Growth Energy Market Development Members

Triple L Ag
Country Partners Cooperative
Get Green Energy, LLC
Bob Haskins Racing
 

Growth Energy Partners with Gulf Oil to Offer High Level Blends of Ethanol at Four Stations in N.Y.

Source: Growth Energy

WASHINGTON, DC — Growth Energy has joined forces with Gulf Oil to provide high level blends of ethanol in Long Island. Gulf has opened four E85 stations, a combination of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, in cooperation with Growth Energy as part of their 2010 E85 and blender pump program.

"We are pleased to partner with Gulf Oil to provide greater access to high level blends of ethanol for consumers," said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. "Increased consumption of ethanol will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, clean our air and help create jobs in Long Island and across the country."

Gulf’s new E85 pumps are located at the following sites:

• 660 Islip Avenue in Brentwood, NY
• 1395 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge, NY
• 2 Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre, NY
• 4560 Express Drive South in Ronkonkoma, NY

"We are proud to be among the first to offer E85 in Long Island and we look forward to the day when many more fuel choices form the foundation of a new energy future," said Laura Scott, Senior Vice President Finance and Strategy for Gulf Oil. "We think it is important to offer our customers choices. E85 is an option customers can choose today to address our nation’s energy security. We would like to thank Growth Energy, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Department of Energy for making this project financially feasible."

Gulf Oil is a member of Growth Energy’s Market Development and has taken part in the program in which funds are offered to retailers for the alternative fuel infrastructure. Growth Energy is also assisting retailers with the technical aspects of installation and marketing of both mid and high level blends of ethanol. A complete list of all sites offering both mid and high level blends of ethanol may be found at http://www.e85refueling.com/.

For more information on the 2010 Growth Energy E85 and Blender Pump Grant Program, contact the Growth Energy Market Development office at 1-877-485-8595 or at scourter@growthenergy.org.
  

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Growth Energy Partners to Open Blender Pumps in Kensington and Kirwin

Source: Growth Energy

WASHINGTON, DC — Growth Energy has joined forces with Pro Ag Marketing to install two blender pumps in Kirwin and Kensington, Kan. The Kirwin Blender pump station, branded Pro Ag Marketing, is located at 222 NE 4th St and the Kensington facility, named Corner Corral Cenex, is located at 108 U.S. 36.

On Friday, August 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m, Growth Energy member plant Prairie Horizon will sponsor a grand opening event at the Corner Corral Cenex. State Sen. Janis Lee and Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Josh Svalty will be in attendance and speakers will include Steve Seabrook from POET Ethanol Products and Mike Erhart, General Manager of Prairie Horizon.

“We are proud to help Pro Ag Marketing provide Kansans with greater access to mid and high level blends of ethanol,” said CEO of Growth Energy, Tom Buis. “Fuel dispensing equipment that can deliver higher blends of ethanol will help make our country more energy independent and more secure, all while giving consumers a choice at the pump that includes domestic, renewable ethanol.”

James Jirak, General Manager of Pro Ag Marketing and station owner said, “Selling ethanol blended fuels in our communities makes sense, as there is great synergy between what we do in producing the crops that are used in making ethanol and putting that ethanol fuel right back into our cars and trucks that we use every day. In a way, we are supporting our own local economy as we create demand for our crops by using ethanol. I would highly recommend getting in contact with Growth Energy if you are working on a project to install E85 or blender pumps at your fueling locations.”

Promotions held during Friday’s grand opening will include discounts on the ethanol blended fuels: E85 for 85 cents per gallon and 25 cents discounts on E10, E20 and E30. The station will also host a live radio remote and free giveaways including hats and t-shirts. Lunch will be provided.

“As an ethanol plant, blender pump infrastructure further promotes ethanol as America’s fuel,” said General Manager of Prairie Horizon, Mike Erhart. “It’s homegrown, lessens our dependence on foreign oil, is cleaner, greener, better for the environment and reaps all the benefits of supporting our local communities.”

The new pumps installed will bring the total number of blender pumps in the state to 14. The blender pumps were also provided funding from the Kansas Corn Commission.

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Denton Builds Alternative Fuel Station Thanks to Grant

Source: Pegasus News

The station will be equipped to dispense 85% Ethanol (E85), 20% Bio-Diesel (B20), unleaded, and diesel fuels.

The City of Denton Fleet Services Division has been awarded a $599,860 grant of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds by the North Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). This grant was part of the North Central Texas Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Investments Agreement. The City of Denton will construct and operate a Fuel Island that provides alternative fuels for the city equipment to help reduce the ozone levels within the North Texas nonattainment counties.

The funds will be used towards the construction of an Alternative Fuel Station, which will be located at 1251 South Mayhill Rd. The station will be equipped to dispense 85% Ethanol (E85), 20% Bio-Diesel (B20), unleaded, and diesel fuels. The station will be used by the city fleet vehicles, including 37 alternative fuel vehicles and 18 hybrid vehicles currently owned and operated by the city. The station is scheduled for completion in September 2010.

The Dallas Fort Worth area has significant problems with ground level ozone, and continues to be in “non-attainment” status. Volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, small particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and a host of other air quality concerns continue to present challenges for the region. The City of Denton recognizes the impacts that these air quality issues have on human health, economic vitality and the overall environment of both our region and our planet.

“Because many air quality issues are intricately linked to energy consumption, strategies for increasing energy efficiency often have the dual benefit of reducing operational costs while simultaneously improving air quality,” said Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs. “This Alternative Fuel Station is just the latest initiative taken by the City to continue to do what we can improve our air quality and sustain our environment.”

The City of Denton has long been committed to the goals of energy efficiency and environmental protection. The city has undertaken many sustainability initiatives in the last several years aimed at minimizing energy consumption, reducing our municipal emissions, and facilitating green building initiatives, including:

• Construction of a Multimodal Transit Station and investments in the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA)
• Denton Municipal Electric’s 40% from renewable energy has positioned Denton as an environmental leader with more wind energy per capita than any other city in the nation.
• Added an “Energy Depot” web page that provides citizens with a personalized energy consumption profile, home and business energy audits, and recommendations for reducing energy consumption.
• Constructed a Materials Recovery Facility at our landfill that will help expand commercial recycling, increase energy and cost efficiencies with collection, and provide new jobs
• Added 63 gas wells to our municipal landfill to capture methane gas and sell back to the grid as electrical power.
• Established the Denton Municipal Electric Energy Save Program, which provides rebates for energy efficiency measures in existing homes as well as new construction.
• Constructed a fire station that receive a gold LEED designation, and expressed the intent to enact LEED standards for future municipal buildings.

All of these initiatives and actions are designed to provide a city that has energy efficient municipal operations and improve air quality while simultaneously making Denton a better place to live.

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Letter – The Benefits of Ethanol

Source: New York Times

To the Editor:

Re “Energy Subsidies — Good and Bad” (editorial, July 29):

For years, the government has needed to support renewable fuels like ethanol because they are competing against a heavily entrenched petroleum industry. This country has spent trillions of public and private dollars building a fueling infrastructure that benefits oil and effectively shuts out competitors. The consequences include not only huge environmental risks, but a $300 billion-a-year drain from our economy to pay for imported petroleum.

Growth Energy’s Fueling Freedom plan would redirect the ethanol tax credit away from oil companies — where it is currently used as an incentive to blend ethanol with gasoline — and instead use the funds to build the infrastructure that would allow renewable fuels to compete with oil on a level playing field. By installing 200,000 ethanol pumps at gas stations across the country and putting 120 million flexible-fuel vehicles on the road, our plan would create an open market where ethanol could compete with gasoline without government support.

To clarify your editorial, Growth Energy proposes phasing out the ethanol tax credit once the market is opened — and domestic ethanol has the level playing field to compete with oil.

Given a chance, domestic ethanol can strengthen our national security, reduce our carbon emissions and create more jobs by keeping American money invested in our own economy instead of sending it overseas.

Wesley K. Clark
Washington, July 29, 2010

The writer, the retired general, is co-chairman of Growth Energy.

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New Ethanol Fuel Station Opens In Phoenix

Source: KPHO Phoenix (CBS)

PHOENIX — AAA Yellow Cab is opening a new 24-hour E85 Ethanol public fueling station on Friday.

The new station is located a quarter mile from Sky Harbor at 3030 S. 45th St. The first 50 customers in line between 10 and 11 a.m. will fill their cars up for just $1.99 per gallon. After the Grand Opening special, the ethanol fuel is still a deal at $2.35 per gallon.

The new station has a 12,000 gallon tank, and the projected volume of the station is 1,000,000 gallons per year. AAA Yellow Cab said the station was built in a record 41 days.

Along with the opening of this station, AAA will put 140 E85-powered taxis on the road. These taxis will service Sky Harbor as well as the greater Phoenix area and are designed to run on Clean Burning Ethanol. One hundred twenty-six of the new taxis are the new Chevy HHR High Roof four-door vans, and 14 are new Dodge Caravans; both vehicles will easily accommodate passengers and their luggage.

To complement AAA Yellow cab's new airport location, other public E85 fueling stations can be found at the following locations: Arizona Department of Administration 1501 West Madison, Phoenix; Western States Petroleum, 450 S. 15th Ave Phoenix; Apache Sands Service Center, 7602 E. Main, Mesa; Classic Car Spa, 22111 Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale; Toor Chevron 9080 W. Olive, Peoria; Super Star Car Wash, 21695 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria; and Z's West Olive, 5905 W. Olive, Glendale

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Growth Energy Teams Up With Country Partners Cooperative to Install First Blender Pump in Ord, Neb.

WASHINGTON, DC — Growth Energy has joined forces with Country Partners Cooperative in Ord, NE to install the town’s first blender pump. The station offers E20, E30 and is located at 424 North 14th Street in Ord, Nebraska — on the corner of Highway 70 and Highway 11.

“If we want to put Americans back to work, strengthen our national security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we need to provide more motorists with the choice of fueling their automobile with renewable, homegrown ethanol,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “We are thrilled to have been able to help Country Partners Cooperative install this blender pump to provide consumers with mid and high level blends of ethanol to clean our skies and decrease our dependence on oil.”

The new blender pump in Ord was open for business on Saturday, July 10 where sales were more than 1,300 gallons.

Scott Haller, Petroleum Manager for Country Partners Cooperative said, “We took advantage of Growth Energy’s funding to install a blender pump. We needed to upgrade our pumps and we believe that ethanol is a huge part of our sales and our community. We are a farmer based cooperative so we wanted to get in the structure of burning something we are producing. We have seen a lot more FFV’s out there so it’s great to give the consumer a choice at the pump.”

"The expansion of blender pumps in Nebraska offers consumers additional fuel choices at the pump,” said Todd Sneller, Administrator for the Nebraska Ethanol Board. “The increased use of higher ethanol fuel blends helps to retain energy dollars in the Nebraska economy and support the investment in ethanol plants. The Nebraska Ethanol Board applauds this partnership and continues to encourage fuel marketers to offer additional ethanol fuel choices at locations across the state.”

Country Partners Cooperative has become part of Growth Energy’s 2010 E85 and Blender Pump Program, offering funds to retailers for the alternative fuel infrastructure. Growth Energy is also assisting retailers with the technical aspects of installation and marketing of both mid and high level blends of ethanol. A complete list of all sites offering both mid and high level blends of ethanol may be found at http://www.e85refueling.com/

For more information on the 2010 Growth Energy E85 and Blender Pump Grant Program, contact the Growth Energy Market Development office at 1-877-485-8595 or at scourter@growthenergy.org.

Growth Energy Partners with Edwards Oil to Offer High Level Blends of Ethanol

Source: Growth Energy

WASHINGTON, DC — Growth Energy has joined forces with Edwards Oil to offer high level blends of ethanol at the Quik Mart Convenience Store at 358 Cox Creek Parkway located in Florence, Ala. The store will now offer E85 (a combination of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) as a fueling option for consumers.

“We are pleased to offer assistance to Edwards Oil on the installation of this clean, alternative fuel in Alabama,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “Greater access to ethanol will help decrease our dependence on oil, improve our environment and strengthen our national security.”

Edwards Oil Company owns and operates 41 Quik Mart Convenience Stores, 14 of which are located in Northwest Alabama.

Jonathan Edwards, President of Edwards Oil said, “We appreciate Growth Energy’s assistance in helping us to fund this infrastructure. Alabama has not seen much investment or sales demand for E85, we are hoping to have a role in changing that.”

“We congratulate and commend Quik Mart Convenience Stores and the people of the Shoals for making the second station possible. E85 has increased dramatically across the state,” said Mark Bentley, Executive Director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition. “In 2006, there were no public stations pumping E85 in the state. Last year, considering both public and private stations, E85 displaced over 700,000 gallons of traditional gasoline in the state of Alabama. There are now 13 public stations making E85 available to the general public.”

Edwards Oil has become part of Growth Energy’s 2010 E85 and Blender Pump Program, offering funds to retailers for the alternative fuel infrastructure. Growth Energy is also assisting retailers with the technical aspects of installation and marketing of both mid and high level blends of ethanol. A complete list of all sites offering both mid and high level blends of ethanol may be found at http://www.e85refueling.com/

For more information on the 2010 Growth Energy E85 and Blender Pump Grant Program, contact the Growth Energy Market Development office at 1-877-485-8595 or at scourter@growthenergy.org.

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Victoria Rolls Out New High Blend Ethanol Fuel

Source: GOV Monitor

Industry and Trade Minister Jacinta Allan today joined Caltex and GM Holden to announce a rollout of fuel containing up to 85 per cent ethanol across Caltex’s network, including Victoria, by end of October this year.

Ms Allan said Caltex’s Bio E-Flex fuel was the latest alternative fuel initiative to reach Victoria in a bid to help the State reach its goal of cutting carbon emissions by 20 per cent in 2020.

“The introduction of this high-ethanol fuel will not only deliver lower carbon emissions but introduces a renewable and a more sustainable fuel to drive us into the future,” she said.

“The fact that this fuel can be home grown will improve Victoria’s fuel security and further stimulate investment in local supply.”

Known overseas as E85, Bio E-Flex has the capacity to reduce overall carbon emissions by up to 50 percent when compared with traditional fossil fuels.

Ms Allan said that reducing Victoria’s carbon emissions by at least 20 per cent by 2020 was one of the key objectives of the recently released Victorian Climate Change White Paper Action Plan.

“Our Government is rising to the challenge of climate change, supporting new initiatives like biofuels to cut emissions and create a climate of new economic opportunity,” Ms Allan said.

“As part of the joint initiative, Holden is set to introduce flex-fuel vehicles across its product lines, including its top-selling Holden Commodore.

“These vehicles will be optimised to run on this high-ethanol fuel, which will be available at 11 Caltex sites in Victoria by end of October this year.

“It is no surprise that Victoria, as the centre of Australia’s automotive industry, is assembling the engine for this advanced and environmentally-friendly vehicle.”

Ms Allan said supporting the introduction of alternative fuels was also a key action in the Brumby Labor Government’s $175 million Jobs for the Future Economy Action Plan, which promoted green jobs and opportunities that capitalize on Victoria’s traditional strengths in agriculture, manufacturing, services and resources.

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Fossil Fuel Subsidies Are 12 Times Support for Renewables, Study Shows

Source: Bloomberg

Global subsidies for fossil fuels dwarf support given to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power and biofuels, Bloomberg New Energy Finance said.

Governments last year gave $43 billion to $46 billion of support to renewable energy through tax credits, guaranteed electricity prices known as feed-in tariffs and alternative energy credits, the London-based research group said today in a statement. That compares with the $557 billion that the International Energy Agency last month said was spent to subsidize fossil fuels in 2008.

“One of the reasons the clean energy sector is starved of funding is because mainstream investors worry that renewable energy only works with direct government support,” said Michael Liebreich, chief executive of New Energy Finance. “This analysis shows that the global direct subsidy for fossil fuels is around ten times the subsidy for renewables.”

Countries from the U.S. and Germany to Brazil and China are trying to boost power derived from crops, the wind and the sun in order to lower emissions of greenhouse gases while increasing the security of energy supplies. The Group of 20 nations a month ago renewed a commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies “over the medium term.” No target date was set.

The single most expensive clean energy subsidy last year was Germany’s feed-in tariff, which cost ratepayers $9.6 billion, New Energy Finance said. Across Europe, such tariffs amounted to $19.5 billion.

The U.S. in 2009 provided the most clean energy subsidies, at $18.2 billion, according to New Energy Finance. China provided about $2 billion of support, a “deceptive” figure because the country’s state-owned banks also provide “much crucial support” through low-interest loans, the group said.

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