Saint Paul Gas Station Offers Motorists Free E85 Fuel Today, 4-7 p.m.

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Dec. 4, 2002; Drivers of "flexible fuel vehicles," cars, minivans and trucks designed to burn either ethanol or traditional gasoline, can receive up to 15 gallons of free E85 fuel today at the Holiday Stationstore, 600 Snelling Ave N., Saint Paul, from 4-7 p.m. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petroleum. Saxon Ford and the American Lung Association of Minnesota are sponsoring the free fuel giveaway to raise public awareness of the homegrown alternative fuel. All motorists who fill up with E85 during the giveaway will receive gifts and are eligible for prizes.

More than 85,000 flexible fuel vehicles have been registered in Minnesota. Nationwide, over two million flexible fuel vehicles are now on the road. The flexible fuel option is standard equipment on more than 20 models produced by Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Isuzu, Mercury and Mazda. Drivers can check their owner's manual or look inside their vehicle's gas cap to see if it was designed to run on E85 as well as gasoline.

With 70 fueling outlets, including four government fueling yards, Minnesota offers consumers more access to the homegrown E85 fuel than any other place in North America. With 14 plants making ethanol from such things as starch from corn or cheese byproducts, Minnesota is also a leader in fuel ethanol production.

The American Lung Association of Minnesota supports the sale and use of E85 as a Clean Air Choice -- a cleaner, renewable alternative to traditional gasoline. The Lung Association is a partner in a public-private team, which has won honors from the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency for work in building the E85 market.

For a complete list of Minnesota E85 outlets and a listing of vehicles that can use the fuel, call (800)-642-5864 or visit www.CleanAirChoice.org or www.E85FUEL.com .