Colorado Governor's E85 Coalition to Promote Ethanol Usage and Awareness

DENVER--May 26, 2006--The Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC) has announced the formation of the Ethanol (E85) Coalition to increase awareness, availability, and usage of E85 in the State of Colorado.

E85 is a blended mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded gasoline. Ethanol is a clean, domestic-sourced fuel that stimulates economic development by increasing jobs, especially for rural communities, while promoting U.S. energy independence.

"I'm excited about more ethanol production in Colorado," said Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Don Ament. "It gives our farmers a boost while lessening dependence on foreign energy sources."

The Coalition's goal is to educate Colorado's nearly 300,000 flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) owners about the benefits and availability of E85. Flex-fuel vehicle owners include consumers, fleet vehicles, pump owners, and auto dealerships. The E85 Coalition will seek to double from 10 to 20 the number of E85 pumping facilities over the next 12-18 months. To help accomplish this goal, the Coalition has funds available to support the installation or conversion of existing pumps to E85.

"Colorado has one the greatest concentrations of flex fuel vehicles in the country. The Coalition will help increase E85 access to thousands of Coloradans," said OEMC Director Drew Bolin. "In addition to saving at the pump, FFV drivers are promoting cleaner, alternative fuel production by Colorado's agribusinesses, while decreasing our dependence on foreign oil."

The E85 Coalition will be led by a Steering Committee comprised of Coalition members who represent Colorado organizations, businesses, government agencies, environmental groups, and others involved in the production, distribution, promotion, and use of ethanol. These participants will work together to help overcome market barriers and raise overall awareness of this alternative fuel option.

Members of the Steering Committee Include:

-- E85 Coalition President Gerry Harrow, Weld County Garage - Dealership Representative

-- Lenora Bohren, Colorado State University - Consumer Representative.

-- Megan Castle, Colorado Office of Energy Management & Conservation - Communications & Media Representative

-- Jim Geist, Great Western Ethanol - Producer Co-Representative

-- Art Hale, Colorado State Fleet Management - Fleet Representative

-- Roger Guzman, Guzman Enterprises - Small Station Representative

-- Patrick Hamel, Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - Government Representative

-- Troy Hill, Hill Petroleum - Distributor Representative

-- Jim Kizer, Sinclair Oil - Large Station Representative

-- Steve McCannon, Regional Air Quality Council - Air Quality Representative

-- Jim Miller, Colorado Department of Agriculture - Agriculture Representative

-- Wayne Morton, Panda Energy - Producer Co-Representative

-- Tim Rehder, Environmental Protection Agency - Environmental Representative

-- Darlene Scott, Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade - Economic Development Representative

-- Stacey Simms, American Lung Association - Government Representative

-- Roy Turner, Colorado & Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association

-- Roger Guzman, Guzman Enterprises - Small Station Representative

"The Coalition is excited to help Colorado move to the forefront of alternative fuel use," said Gerry Harrow, president of the E85 Coalition. "The interest in cleaner, domestic fuels such as E85 is extremely high. We are looking forward to expanding its infrastructure and usage."

Service stations interested in installing E85 pumps and tanks may be eligible for money and marketing through the E85 Coalition. To learn more about the Colorado E85 Coalition, FFVs, E85 pump installations, or to join a Coalition subcommittee, please contact Gerry Harrow at (970) 405-6691, or visit http://www.state.co.us/oemc/programs/transportation/e-85_coalition.htm