August 11, 2010
Blender Pump Shortage Perpetuates Reliance on Foreign Oil
In the Unites States, low-level ethanol blends such as E10 comprise the majority of the gasoline sold at the pump, and the fueling stations that supply these blends are numerous and widely distributed. But, the number of fueling stations that supply mid- and high-level blends between E20 and E85 is much smaller.
In fact, out of more than 170,000 fueling stations nationwide, there are only about 2,200 that offer ethanol blends higher than E10. Two-thirds of those stations are concentrated in just 10 states.
These 2,200 blender pumps are responsible for servicing the more than 8 million flex fuel vehicles on the road today. It doesn’t take a math whiz to see that we have a blender pump shortage.
In order to deliver ethanol to wholesale markets – and ultimately consumers at the fueling station – we need to substantially build out our nation’s fuel-delivery infrastructure.
Growth Energy ’s Fueling Freedom Plan would drastically build out this infrastructure, in the form of blender pumps and Flex Fuel Vehicles, to provide more consumers with choice at the pump.
The benefits of building out this infrastructure include expanded fuel supplies – which should help lower the price of fuel for consumers – as well as an invigorated economy in our rural communities and the creation of thousands of new jobs here in the U.S.
Expanded access to ethanol would also help decrease our dependence on foreign oil, improve our environment and strengthen our economic and national security. In 2009 alone, the production and use of 10.6 billion gallons of ethanol eliminated the need to import at least 364 million barrels of oil, reduced CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 16.5 million tons and supported over 400,000 jobs here in the U.S.
Growth Energy is working to include the provisions laid out in the Fueling Freedom Plan in the final energy bill that passes Congress.
In the meantime, Growth Energy is also working to help build out this infrastructure through its Blender Pump Grant Program. The program offers funds to retailers for the alternative fuel infrastructure. Growth Energy is also assisting retailers with the technical aspects of installation and marketing of both mid and high level blends of ethanol.
To date, we have allocated more than $300,000 to help install blender pumps across the country. Check out our press releases page to learn about recent pumps that have been installed in Nebraska, Alabama and Kansas. And visit Ethanol Retailers to learn more about the grant program.
The bottom line is we need to invest in the national infrastructure necessary to provide greater access to ethanol to help kick our addiction to foreign fuels. Every blender pump we install will help make our country more energy independent and more secure, all while giving consumers a choice.
