FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 

Press Contact: Monte Shaw

September 17, 2012

515-252-6249

E15 Now Available at Linn Co-op Oil Company

Iowa’s First Retailer to Offer E15 for 2001 and Newer Vehicle Owners

JOHNSTON, IOWA – History was made today when the first gallon of E15 was sold in Iowa. Drivers owning a 2001 or newer vehicle, SUV or light-duty truck now have access to this new EPA-approved fuel. Linn Co-op Oil Company located at 325 35th Street in Marion is the state’s first retailer to give customers this renewable fuel option.

       “The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) salutes Linn Co-op Oil Company for their initiative to be among the first retailers in the country to offer clean, green E15,” said Lucy Norton, IRFA Managing Director.  “Motorists now have another high-octane, low-cost ethanol option that supports local jobs and contributes to the state’s economy.”

       As part of the introduction of E15, Linn Co-op will hold an open house on Friday, September 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  E15 will be discounted 15 cents per gallon during the open house.

      “We are honored to be Iowa’s first retailer to offer E15 to our customers who have been asking for it,” said Jim Becthold, Service Manager for Linn Co-op Oil Company.  “We anticipate that E15 could account for up to 50 percent of our total fuel sales.”

       To introduce E15 to Marion residents, the IRFA, Iowa Corn and the Iowa Power Fund Community Grant Program are sponsoring a media campaign that includes radio and print ads, billboards and direct mail.  The campaign will run throughout September.

       This type of campaign is available to any Iowa retailer who offers E15 for 2001 and newer vehicle owners, noted Norton.  Retailers preparing to offer E15 in the future are urged to contact the IRFA for promotional assistance.

       Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 13 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 320 million gallons annually.  In addition, Iowa has 41 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 3.7 billion gallons annually and one new facility under construction.

       The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.

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For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org