Ethanol Fueling the 50th Anniversary of the Interstate Convoy

Ethanol Has Fueled America for Decades

OMAHA, Neb., June 13 -- The American-made motor fuel ethanol is marking the 50th anniversary of the U.S. interstate system by fueling a two-week cross-country convoy designed to celebrate America's freedom to travel and the importance of the interstate system to our nation. June 16 - 29, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) will reenact a 1919 cross-country convoy that sparked the need for a transportation system that would grow the U.S. economy, America's freedom to travel, and be instrumental in national defense.

Fifty years ago on June 29, President Eisenhower commissioned the creation of the U.S. Interstate System with its more than 46,000 miles of roadway. "Ethanol has been a part of the history of the interstate since its inception, so it's natural that the ethanol industry would support this celebration," said Tom Slunecka, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). "The Model T was designed in 1908 to run on pure ethanol, because Henry Ford believed that he was helping farmers and the American economy by utilizing a homegrown fuel."

All cars in the convoy reenactment will use E10, a blend of 90 percent unleaded gasoline enriched with 10 percent ethanol, wherever available along the route, compliments of the ethanol industry. Today, more than 30 percent of the fuel sold in the U.S. is blended with 10 percent ethanol. By volume, ethanol accounts for approximately 3 percent of the total U.S. automotive fuel supply.

"Ethanol's importance to America continues to grow as consumers begin to understand its benefits," said Slunecka. "It safely powers our cars, trucks and motorcycles; is renewable; burns cleaner and reduces our dependence on foreign oil."

"We are extremely pleased to have the ethanol industry represented as the official fuel of this anniversary event," said Michelle Houston, AASHTO spokesperson. "The highway system is crucial to this nation's system of commerce and to homeland security. It gives people the freedom to get anywhere in the U.S." She continued, "Ethanol is an important part of this nation's history, and we welcome the opportunity to give a voice to that legacy."

The 3,000-plus mile journey will begin June 16 in San Francisco, Calif., with a send-off party near the Golden Gate Bridge. Chuck Zimmerman, an ethanol advocate and blogger on DomesticFuel.com, will take the wheel of an ethanol- branded vehicle to represent the industry throughout the route. The journey will continue from California on Interstate 80 through Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland before ending June 29 at the Zero Mile Marker in Washington, D.C., near Ellipse Park at the Capitol.

"I'm fired up to get out on the open road behind the wheel of a vehicle, representing ethanol's role in the success of the interstate highway system," said Zimmerman. "I'll be blogging the entire trip on drivingethanol.org, so log on and follow our journey."

Ethanol supporters and driving enthusiasts are encouraged to follow the convoy as it passes through their locale, as well as to attend various celebration stops in cities along the way. The convoy's route and event schedule are available on http://drivingethanol.org/ .

"Ethanol production has grown to more than 4.5 billion gallons per year," said Slunecka. "Americans want fuel alternatives, and this convoy is symbolic of our desire to spread ethanol's message and availability throughout the country. People are beginning to demand ethanol. We're showing them that if they continue to use it and ask for it, then it's only a matter of time before ethanol will be available everywhere."

About EPIC

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) is an alliance of ethanol producers and industry leaders who have come together to spread the word about the benefits of ethanol through information and promotional programs. EPIC is a nonprofit organization and is overseen by a nine-member board of directors. Visit http://drivingethanol.org/ for more information about EPIC.