TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --- General Motors this week announced plans for the launch of E85 ethanol fueling sites in the greater Tallahassee area. The plans are the result of a collaborative partnership between Inland Food Stores and the state of Florida. GM has been the catalyst behind several similar partnerships across the country as part of a broader, national campaign to boost the use and awareness of ethanol-based E85 fuel in the United States. The announcement was made this week at the Inland Food Store at 3500 North Monroe, the first location to publicly offer E85 ethanol in Florida, at an event presided over by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. "Securing a diverse and reliable supply of energy will reduce Florida's dependence on imported oil and ensure that a balanced mix of fuel sources and technologies are available for years to come," said Governor Bush. "The tremendous potential of ethanol to become a major source of transportation fuel for Florida's energy future will be spurred with greater public access to ethanol fueling stations." Under the partnership, Southwest Georgia Oil Co. Inc. will identify 16 additional fueling stations -- under the names Inland Fuel and SunStop convenience stores -- in Tallahassee and the surrounding area where E85 ethanol will begin to roll out between now and the beginning of 2007. "Inland is proud to offer the first retail E85 dispensers in the state of Florida," said Mike Harrell, president and CEO of Inland Food Stores. "We are committed to making alternative fuel choices like E85 easily available to the public and we are excited to be teaming up with Gov. Bush, General Motors, and our supply partners to promote E85's availability and to increase consumer awareness. We also wish to acknowledge the help of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition in our endeavor." At the beginning of 2006, GM launched a major national advertising campaign, "Live Green, Go Yellow" to build consumer awareness around the benefits of E85 ethanol and GM's E85 flex fuel vehicles.