IL Leaders Push Oil Companies on E85
AEN News
Jefferson City, MO – Illinois Senators Richard Durbin and Barack
Obama along with Governor Rod Blagojevich recently wrote letters
to six of the largest fuel providers in the country inquiring
as to their position on the clean, renewable alternative fuels
– E85 and biodiesel.
"The letters are a strong push to promote the product where we
need it most," stated Phil Lampert, Executive Director of the
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. "Major gasoline marketers
frequently prohibit their franchise operators from installation
of equipment to dispense alternative fuel equipment. In
order to establish E85 as a nationally available form of
fuel, we must overcome these barriers. This correspondence
by Senators Durbin and Obama and Governor Blagojevich will
certainly advance our efforts."
The correspondence asks the major fuel providers questions about
policies and practices regarding many relevant E85 infrastructure
issues. Important among the inquiries asked are if stations
are allowed to install E85 equipment and if so, are they
allowed to convert an existing pump that currently sells a
branded product.
The letter also announces the willingness of U.S. Energy Secretary
Bodman to meet with each of the companies to establish more
availability of the fuels.
Currently, there are 651 publicly accessed E85 fueling locations
throughout the U.S. Illinois contains 108 of these facilities.
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