For the first time in nearly three decades, American drivers can now choose a new fueling option at the pump.  The nation’s first E15 (15 percent ethanol/85 percent gasoline) gallons are being sold at the Zarco 66 “Oasis” station at 1500 E. 23rd Street in Lawrence, KS.  Plans to offer E15 at the nation’s second retail station, the Zarco 66 at 2518 E. Logan (intersection of I-35 & HWY 68) in Ottawa, KS, are nearly complete with an announcement coming soon.

On June 8, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave final approval for the sale and use of E15 ethanol blends in light duty vehicles made since 2001.  This represents nearly two-thirds of all vehicles on the road and nearly three-fourths of all miles driven.

Given present market conditions, E15 will sell for less than E10 and gasoline not containing ethanol. More broadly, a recent study from the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development found the use of 13.9 billion gallons of ethanol in 2011 lowered average gasoline prices by $1.09 per gallon nationally and by $1.69 per gallon in Midwestern states such as Kansas.

“Alternatives to gasoline are critically important to our nation’s energy future and Americans deserve to have a choice of cost-competitive fuel at the pump,” said Scott Zaremba, owner of Zarco 66 stations.  “With the help of the Kansas Corn Commission, East Kansas Agri-Energy, and the Renewable Fuels Association, we are pleased to be the first to offer consumers real choice at the pump in the form of E15 ethanol fuel.”

Boating Industry Canada shares this release supplied by the American Renewable Fuels Association as a heads-up to Canadian marine dealers and engine manufacturers that this fuel has finally broken through in the USA and with it, the concerns about such a fuel winding up in a boat fuel tank. AT present, we are aware of no marine engines cleared to use fuel with more that 10% ethanol content.