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.”
