Governors' Biofuels Coalition

In 2012, Husker Ag passed a resolution to promote higher ethanol fuel blends at the retail level. Since then, the Plainview ethanol plant has provided grant money and ethanol for several retail locations in northeast Nebraska including Creighton, Crofton, Hartington, Osmond and Pierce at two locations.

“Many Nebraska ethanol producers work directly with retailers to expand the availability of American Ethanol blends like E15 and E85,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “This strategic partnership provides consumers with additional choices at the pump, and makes clear to consumers the value of choosing fuels produced locally from renewable sources.”

Conoco in Valentine (203 E. Hwy 20) has two flex fuel pumps offering E10, E20, E30 and E85; and is the first station in Cherry County to offer higher ethanol blends. The grand opening is set for Saturday, April 11. Drivers can fill up with American Ethanol from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and save 20 cents per gallon on E20, 30 cents per gallon gallon on E30 and 85 cents per gallon on E85. In addition to savings at the pump, there also will be $1 slices of Hot Stuff pizza and promotional giveaways.

Plainview Roadrunner (204 W. Park St.) plans to install one flex fuel pump offering E10, E20, E30 and E85. The pump, located just 4 miles from the Husker Ag ethanol plant, is expected to be in operation by mid-summer. This will be the eighth retail location partnership that Husker Ag has provided an infrastructure grant.

“We are very excited to see the works of many coming together for the purpose of seeing ethanol usage expanded in Nebraska—the second largest producer of ethanol,” said Seth Harder, Husker Ag general manager. “Partnerships are key to moving the needle on ethanol fuel usage.”

“The logistics of using locally produced fuel in areas where it is consumed is extremely efficient,” Sneller said. “As a result, consumers have access to a wider variety of fuels at a lower cost. In 2014, Nebraska motorists saved $100 million on gasoline by choosing blends that contained 10 percent or more locally produced ethanol.”

Approximately 80 pumps in Nebraska offer higher blends of American Ethanol, a brand created by a partnership between the National Corn Growers Association and Growth Energy.

Currently, one in seven Nebraska motorists drives a flex fuel vehicle, which can run on any blend of American Ethanol and gasoline, up to E85. To confirm your vehicle is flex fuel look for a yellow gas cap, flex fuel emblem or check your owner’s manual. American Ethanol with 20 percent or greater is for flex fuel vehicles only.

The flex fuel pumps were also paid for in part by the Nebraska Corn Board’s flex fuel infrastructure grant program on behalf of Nebraska’s 23,000 corn producers through their checkoff program.

To find a list of retailers that offer American Ethanol blends throughout the state, visit the Nebraska Ethanol Board website (www.ethanol.nebraska.gov) or the Nebraska Corn Board website (www.nebraskacorn.org).