SD Corn

In a disappointing press piece yesterday from AAA, the travel company advised fuel regulators to suspend the sale of E15 fuel to consumers across the country. AAA’s reasons included that the fuel may confuse consumers and that it would void certain auto warranties.

This shameful article forgot to mention that E15 is the most highly tested fuel in history (6 million miles over 3 years) with all results proving it to be safe for cars and light trucks 2001 or newer according to the EPA.  A study from the engine manufacturer Ricardo Inc. showed the blend to be safe for vehicles dating back to 1994. Even studies from Big Oil show no engine “breakdowns” from the blend.

So does AAA have any evidence of damage to a vehicle’s engine due to the blend E15? Nope, and the fuel retailers selling the new, renewable blend have had zero word of any trouble either. In fact, retailers in South Dakota and other states are excited about making the new blend available, providing a financial savings for their customers.

When talking about warranties, AAA failed to research which vehicle makes and years have been approved for E15, and even published an incorrect infographic on their website.

Last but not least, the whole idea of E15 is to give consumers an additional choice when it comes to the fuel they purchase. A choice to use a more renewable fuel, that reduces air pollution, creates new American jobs and decreases the country’s dependence on foreign oil.

Good news for fuel consumers and the ethanol industry this week as the Big 3 automakers Ford, GM and Chrysler, have all approved E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline) for their non-flex fuel vehicles.

According to a recent Feedstuffs article, E15 has been approved for 2013 Chryslers, 2012 and newer GMs and 2010 and newer Fords. This means the blend is covered under the warranty for these models. However the EPA has rigorously tested and approved E15 for use in all cars and light trucks 2001 or newer. Testing done by the company Riccardo Inc. has shown the blend to be safe for vehicles dating back to 1994 models.

Making E15 available will give consumers additional choice at the pump. A choice that can save them money, stimulate the local economy, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and increase America’s energy security by relying less on foreign oil.

E15 continues to become more available with stations in Kansas, Iowa and one in South Dakota. Also, many stations across the state with flex fuel pumps are now making E15 one of their available blends. The blend is sure to catch on with consumers demanding relief from high gas prices.

The goal and notable progress of energy independence continues to move forward with more American-made vehicles being powered by more American-made fuel, thanks to the Big 3, which is the way it ought to be.

Some folks just get agriculture (the state’s #1 industry) and how much it means to South Dakota and our rural communities. Near the top of that list are the good people at Midway Service, located just seven miles north of Sioux Falls on Cliff Ave/SD Highway 115 just outside Baltic.

They have been proud advocates of corn farmers and ethanol fuel since the beginning and installed blender pumps back in 2007 offering E10, E30 and E85. Now the long-standing fuel station is offering E15, a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, which was recently approved by the EPA for cars and light trucks 2001 or newer.

“Selling E15 is something we have wanted to do since they first started talking about it a few years ago,” said station owner Bruce Vollan. “It makes good economical sense and we hope that it will become the standard fuel someday. “

People have been taking advantage of the financial saving that comes from ethanol as the new blend has more customers filling up with the locally made fuel.

“Since implementing E15, we’ve had outstanding sales and are without a doubt selling more ethanol,” added Vollan.

“The entire local economy benefits from the closed-loop interaction starting with the farmer, the ethanol plants, fuel retailers and loyal customers.”

The next time you’re north of Sioux Falls on SD Hwy 115, we recommend that you stop in and fill up your vehicle with the ethanol blend of your choice at Midway Service.

Corn Comments Podcast with Jim Woster.

Did you know that all of NASCAR runs on E15? A blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, which has been recently approved by the EPA for sale by retailers across the nation. E15 brings plenty of perks to the pump including fewer greenhouse gas emissions, greater energy security and of course financial savings compared to regular gasoline. E15 has been approved for all cars and light trucks 2001 and newer giving those consumers an additional choice when it comes to fuel.

Last Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency approved the sale of E15 (a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline) by fuel retailers. This is the final step in what has been a very long and drawn-out process of getting the ethanol blend into the marketplace.

A few things need to be understood about this new blend. First, E15 is simply a choice for fuel consumers owning a car or light truck 2001 or newer, not a mandate as some anti-renewable fuel folks have written.

Secondly, E15 is perfectly safe for the vehicles listed above, as it is the most tested fuel in history with completely positive results. E15 is not only safe, but it is also cleaner burning as ethanol reduces greenhouse-gas emissions by 52% when compared to conventional gasoline according to the EPA.

Next, E15 will undoubtedly save consumers money at the pump. A recent university study shows that Midwestern drivers saved $1.69/gallon during 2011 due to American ethanol. And with E15 being eligible for 62% of America’s auto fleet, which consumes 80% of the overall fuel sold, consumers will immediately notice a fuels savings.

“Domestic ethanol is already saving families around $1,200 per year at the pump, and giving consumers access to E15 will provide an even greater financial savings,” said Mark Gross, Bridgewater farmer and president of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association.

Last but not least, increasing the use of homegrown, domestic biofuels is a matter of national energy security. No matter your opinion on oil, it is a finite resource that has been costly. Whenever we can become less dependent on oil from countries that despise American values, it is a move in the right direction.

For more information on E15, check out http://www.e15fuel.org/

Save money, reduce your vehicle’s emissions, increase your horsepower, support the local economy and lessen our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. These are a few of the many benefits consumers with vehicles 2001 or newer will gain access to with the newly approved fuel blend E15 (15% ethanol and 85% gasoline).

Is E15 safe for your vehicle? Absolutely. Through the Environmental Protection Agency’s rigorous testing, E15 has become the most tested fuel in history with every test coming back with safe and positive results.

Will this impact the renewable fuel market? Yes. E15 can be used by 62% of the light duty vehicles on the road today, representing more than 80% of the unleaded fuel sold, benefitting America’s air quality and consumers checkbooks.

Let’s make this perfectly clear, no matter what you may read or hear from friends and neighbors, E15 is NOT a mandate in anyway, shape or form. It is simply an additional choice at the pump for certain consumers who wish to support a clean, American-made fuel.

When can you expect to see E15 at a pump near you? In a perfect world it would be tomorrow, but because of continued legal battles from the oil industry in Washington D.C. it will most likely be sometime in early fall before consumers in South Dakota have access to the new blend.

For more information on E15, check out http://www.e15fuel.org/