By JANE HOUIN
Ohio Correspondent

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Ohio will be one of only 10 states from across the country that has been selected to receive technical support from General Motors Corp. (GM) to advance the state’s E-85 infrastructure.

Under the terms of the partnership, which was supported by the National Governors Assoc. (NGA), GM will help Ohio determine optimal locations for E-85 pumps, which when implemented, will help improve the nation’s energy security and diversify its transportation fuel supply.

“Improving the use of clean, domestically grown biofuels like ethanol will help move us toward a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said John Thomasian, director of the NGA Center for Best Practices.

E-85 is an alternative fuel consisting of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. GM is one of several automobile manufacturers producing flex-fuel vehicles, which are designed to run on either E-85 or gasoline.

In the GM lineup alone, 11 different E-85 models were produced in 2008, with the goal of having half of their annual vehicle production E-85 capable by 2012. Of those vehicles with available flex-fuel technology, E-85 capability is standard on all Chevy Impalas as well on the four-wheel drive versions of the Chevy Avalanche and Suburban as well as the four-wheel-drive GMC Yukons. For the 2009 model year, GM has expanded their flex-fuel line-up to 18 models.
“The infrastructure for E-85 needs to expand now if the nation is to be ready for the significant growth in ethanol coming from new cellulosic and biomass sources,” said Beth Lowery, GM vice president of environment, energy and safety policy. “We need a range of alternatives to offset growing oil demand in this country and globally.”

Under the terms of the partnerships, GM will help states assess optimal locations for E-85 pump locations. GM, will work with top ethanol producers and fuel infrastructure experts to optimize E-85 supply to states and will leverage its network of dealers, plants and offices and its extended ethanol-related network to promote E-85 usage.

As a result of their selection each of the 10 states will establish a task force that includes a team of state officials, retailers and automobile manufacturers to help identify target areas for E85 refueling stations. The team will also identify potential funding sources to support pump installation or conversion and help implement the state’s strategy.

“We are pleased to collaborate with the National Governors Assoc. and GM on this important project,” said Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, who also serves as the State Development Director. “By strengthening Ohio’s E-85 infrastructure, we are providing all Ohio consumers with more choices that will ultimately save them money at the gas pump and reduce the carbon emissions from vehicles on our roadways while increasing the marketing opportunities for Ohio’s farmers and vehicle manufacturers.”

In 2007, Americans used 6.8 billion gallons of ethanol, nearly all of which was made from domestically produced corn. Meanwhile, U.S. production of flex-fuel vehicles continues to grow with more than 1 million produced in 2007 alone, bringing the total number of flex-fuel vehicles on the road today to more than 7 million. Of those vehicles, the leader is GM, with their vehicles alone accounting for more than 3 million of that total.

“Ohio has entered the ethanol production business full-force since January, with the opening of six ethanol plants,” said Ohio Agriculture Director Robert Boggs. “However, producing ethanol is only one part of the answer. We must also continue to work with the automotive industry toward putting more flex-fuel vehicles on our roads, and increase the commercial availability of E-85 to Ohio consumers who drive those vehicles. This partnership will support us in that effort.”

During the next 20 years, increasing ethanol usage offers an opportunity to displace a significant share of oil usage in this country and the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 boosted the national Renewable Fuel Standard to 36 billion gallons annually by 2022, capping corn ethanol at 15 billion gallons while calling for 16 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol and 5 billion gallons of advanced biofuels.

While there are more than 1,800 E-85 refueling stations nationwide, only 57 locations are available in Ohio. Under the E-85 Pump Partnership, ethanol producers and fuel infrastructure experts will work with GM to optimize the E-85 supply, and GM will also leverage its network of dealers, plants and offices to promote the use of E-85 in Ohio.

Already, drivers with On-Star access and service can be directed to the nearest E-85 station simply by pushing their blue On-Star button. Or, consumers can also locate E-85 stations online at e85fuel.com

Other states selected to participate in this program include Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee and Wisconsin.