DAVIE, FL --- The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) on May 28 celebrated the grand opening of the United States' 2,000th E85 fueling station.

The station, Griffin U-Gas in the community of Davie, Fla., hosted a press conference and offered E85 for flex-fuel vehicles for just $1 per gallon during a special two-hour promotion that day. 

"Expanding ethanol production outside the traditional "Corn Belt" is vital to setting America on the road toward energy independence," said RFA President Bob Dinneen. "Increasing the production and use of ethanol in places like Florida is helping provide stability to our motor fuels market against the volatile and costly nature of the world oil market. Congratulations to Griffin U-Gas, Urbieta Oil, Protec Fuel Management and the people of Florida on the opening of the 2000th E85 station and for their commitment to helping set America on a path toward greater energy independence."

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson, whose "Farm to Fuel" initiative is designed to produce renewable energy from Florida-grown crops, wastes and other biomass, hailed the milestone. 

"As ethanol and other renewable fuels become more widespread, the demand for the bio-fuels produced on our farms and ranches will only increase," Bronson said. "It will reduce our dependency on foreign oil and give agricultural producers in Florida alternative crops to keep their farming operations viable." 

The station is owned by U-Gas, which has brought most of the E85 infrastructure to Florida. Willie Urbieta, president of U-Gas, said: "For me personally, it feels really good when I fuel up to know that I'm not sending money to countries that are not that friendly to us."

E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline and can only be used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). There are nearly 8 million FFVs on the road today. 

The Renewable Fuels Association, Protec Fuel Management, Urbieta Oil, U-Gas, General Motors, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car all assisted with the opening of the station.