LAWRENCE, KS – The nation’s first E-15 (15 percent ethanol/85 percent gasoline) gallons are being sold at the Zarco 66 “Oasis” station at 1500 E. 23rd Street in Lawrence, Kan. Plans to offer E-15 at the nation’s second retail station, the Zarco 66 at 2518 E. Logan (intersection of I-35 & HWY 68) in Ottawa, Kan., are nearly complete with an announcement coming soon.

On June 8, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave final approval for the sale and use of E-15 ethanol blends in light-duty vehicles made since 2001. This represents nearly two-thirds of all vehicles on the road and nearly three-fourths of all miles driven.

A recent study from the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development found the use of 13.9 billion gallons of ethanol in 2011 lowered average gasoline prices by $1.09 per gallon nationally and by $1.69 per gallon in Midwestern states such as Kansas. 

“Alternatives to gasoline are critically important to our nation’s energy future and Americans deserve to have a choice of cost-competitive fuel at the pump,” said Scott Zaremba, owner of Zarco 66 stations. “With the help of the Kansas Corn Commission, East Kansas Agri-Energy, and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), we are pleased to be the first to offer consumers real choice at the pump in the form of E-15 ethanol fuel.”

Pumps offering E-15 with the proper labeling will also be offering E-10 and other ethanol blends via technology known as blender pumps, which allow consumers to select the best fuel option for themselves and their vehicles.

In order to offer E-15 under the waiver conditions set by EPA, producers and retailers must register with EPA and adhere to the misfueling mitigation plan developed by the RFA and approved by EPA. The plan is available here.

In addition, the RFA has also developed an E-15 Retailer Handbook available at no cost to retailers looking to offer more choices to their customers. The Handbook is available here.