E85 arrives - WWE, Farmers Union Cooperative make E85 available in Menomonie

February 10, 2008

Wheeler - Paul Harrison, president of the Western Wisconsin Energy (WWE), in conjunction with the Menomonie Farmers Union Cooperative manager, Paul Diemert, recently announced the introduction of E85 to the Dunn County area.

As part of the announcement, Harrison said, "From the beginning of our project, we have been contraced by all kinds of people wondering whether they would be able to purchase E85 produced by the plant. I can now proudly say, yes. The corn is locally grown by area farmers and now the E85 is locally available as well."

E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 is an alternative fuel and intended for use in flexible fuel vehicles. Government tests have shown E85 vehicles reduce harmful hydrocarbon and benzene emissions when compared to vehicles running on gasoline. E85 can also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2), a harmful greenhouse gas and a major contributor to global warming.

Diemert said, "This is a good day for our companies and a great day for area residents. As the U.S. continues to import more than half its oil, we need to have alternative available. Having a local pump available to offer an alternative is an important step toward self-reliance. Lowering demand for oil will eventually lower the price, which is good for all of us, and being able to offer ethanol which is produced locally is an added bonus."

State Senator Sheila Harsdorf applauded both companies saying, "Expanding our markets for area-grown corn will help local farmers and our rural communities. More E85 pumps, such as those now available at the Cenex Convenience Store, will five consumers options and begin reversing the trend of relying upon foreign imports right here in Western Wisconsin."

The new E85 pumps are located at the Cenex Convenience Store, located on the corner of Highway 25 North and Cedar Falls Road in Menomonie. The pumps are identified by the yellow hoses. E85 is selling for approximately 50 cents a gallon less than unleaded.

Information regarind a vehicle's ability to use E85 can be found by logging onto the National Ethanol Vehicle's Coalition Web site found at www.e-85fuel.com.

The Dunn County News; Sunday, February 10, 2008; Agriculture; A12