FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 

Press Contact: Monte Shaw

September 24, 2012

515-252-6249

E15 Sales Strong at Linn Co-op Oil Company Open House

Iowa’s First E15 Retailer Says E15 was 30 percent of Friday’s Sales

JOHNSTON, IOWA – Linn Co-op Oil Company saw E15 sales soar to more than 30 percent of the day’s sales after an open house event on Friday, September 21. Linn Co-op, located at 325 35th Street. in Marion, is the state’s first retailer to provide drivers owning a 2001 or newer vehicle, SUV or light-duty truck access to E15, an EPA-approved fuel.

       “Friday’s open house event at Linn Co-op proved to be a great success,” said Lucy Norton, IRFA Managing Director.  “Attendees showed a deep interest in E15, specifically asking for the fuel and provided a large uptick in E15 sales. Iowa motorists are excited to have another high-octane, low-cost ethanol option that supports local jobs and contributes to the state’s economy.”

       “E15 is bringing in many new customers to Linn Co-op,” said Jim Becthold, Service Manager for Linn Co-op Oil Company. “During our open house event, I saw countless new faces from all over the county. Also, a great deal of our customers specifically asked for E15 and Friday’s sales reflected that.”

       As part of the introduction of E15, Linn Co-op held 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 customers received a 15 cent discount on each gallon of E15 purchased.

       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