Ethanol Blender Pumps provide fuel choices for consumers in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance (WBIA) hosted a media event today to discuss the importance of increasing the number of blender pumps in Wisconsin. Working in partnership with representatives from the Renewable Fuels Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association and the American Lung Association, Wisconsin’s bio fuel producers are drawing attention to the benefits of increased ethanol use in Wisconsin.

While there are more than 100 locations across the state where consumers can purchase gasoline blended with up to 85 percent ethanol, there are fewer than 30 locations across Wisconsin where consumers have the choice to purchase fuel blended with different levels of ethanol. Blender pumps allow consumers to determine what percentage of gasoline and ethanol they would like to purchase for their vehicle. When visiting the fueling station, consumers are able to select a variety of fuels, including E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline), E20 (20% ethanol, 80% gasoline), or E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline).

“Consumers should be given a choice. Whether you want a gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol for your boat or small engine, or you chose to purchase ethanol blended with 20 percent or 85 percent ethanol for your flex fuel vehicle, blender pumps give you those options,” said Joshua Morby, Executive Director of the WBIA. “We’re working closely with our partners nationally to increase the number of blender pumps not only in Wisconsin but throughout the United States.”

“Blender pumps mean increased opportunities for Wisconsinites to choose more home-grown ethanol and less foreign oil,” said Phil Lampert, Vice President of Market Development, Growth Energy. “American-made ethanol is good for our economy, our environment and our energy security. Growth Energy is proud to help lead the charge to increase the availability and use of both blender pumps and mid-level ethanol blends across the country.”

“Blender pumps provide a better solution for retailers and for consumers, and is why their popularity is increasing both locally and nationally,” said Robert White, Director of Market Development for the Renewable Fuels Association. “This movement, just like those in the past, starts here in the Midwest. Wisconsin is setting an example for others to follow, providing more opportunity to advance the use of alternative fuels.”

The ACE/RFA National Blender Pump Program has the goal to establish 5,000 blender pumps in the next 3 years across the country. ACE and RFA are partnering with many of the state corn grower organizations, and have already begun laying the initial groundwork for this effort.