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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2010

Equipment Breakthroughs Offer Motorists

More High Blend Ethanol Options

Equipment Warranties and New Dispensers Announced

JOHNSTON, IA – Gilbarco Veeder-Root is paving the way for more ethanol fuel choices with state-of-the-art equipment and expanded product warranties.  The company has upgraded the warranty on its standard fuel dispensers to cover blends containing up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) making it the first supplier in the industry to announce this change for fuel dispensers already in use.  In addition, Gilbarco Veeder-Root has introduced a new dispenser for mid-level ethanol blends.  

“Iowa fuel retailers now have more flexibility in offering ethanol blends to their customers,” said Lucy Norton, IRFA Managing Director. “With new equipment options available, there’s absolutely no reason why mid-level ethanol blends and E85 shouldn’t be part of a fuel retailer’s product mix.”

Standard fuel dispensers currently approved by Underwriters Laboratory for E10 now have Gilbarco warranty coverage for up to E15.  Gilbarco is ensuring that their customers are covered when EPA designates E15 as an approved fuel in the future. This warranty change is retroactive for Gilbarco dispensers manufactured or commissioned in North America since April 1, 2008.

Fuel retailers also have a new option for offering mid-level blends to flex-fuel vehicle owners.  Gilbarco has released a multi-hose blender pump capable of offering a combination of ethanol and gasoline blends.  Many states, including Iowa, require a separate hose for dispensing blends exceeding 10 percent ethanol.

“This is the perfect time for retailers to explore these new dispensing options as we await a decision from EPA – possibly as early as this summer – on the approval of E15,” said Norton.  “With new equipment and state grants available, retailers can position themselves to be ready to strike as soon as EPA rules on E15.”

Iowa currently has regulations that allow for the dispensing of high blend ethanol, such as E30, E50 or E85, absent of equipment certification.  State-specific compliance measures for these higher blends enable Iowa retailers to offer these fuels today. 

Retailers interested in installing an E85 or biodiesel pump can receive a grant from the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Information and a grant application may be found at: www.iowalifechanging.com/business/renewablefuels.html .

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 39 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 3.3 billion gallons annually. In addition, Iowa has 14 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce over 315 million gallons annually.

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.