In an effort to promote use of ethanol-based E85 by motorists, the American Lung Association of Minnesota is pointing out that retail sales of gasoline in July 2008 declined more than 9 percent in Minnesota from the same month a year ago.
According to figures from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, motorists bought nearly 212 million gallons of gasoline in July, compared to slightly more than 233 million gallons last July.
The American Lung Association of Minnesota also noted that the amount of E85 used is about 16 percent greater in 2008 than it was at this time last year. However, the pace of the increase in Minnesota appears to be leveling off. E85 sales more than doubled from 2005 to 2006 and increased by only 20 percent in 2007.
E85 is for flex-fuel vehicles that can use either E85 or gasoline. The American Lung Association of Minnesota says there are about 200,000 flex-fuel vehicles in the state.
"A year ago, I don't think anyone would have predicted Minnesota could achieve ... increased use of mass transit, and increased sales of cleaner-burning alternative fuels in the middle of what has historically been the peak driving season," said Robert Moffitt, communications director for the American Lung Association of Minnesota. "Since vehicle exhaust is the single largest source of air pollution in Minnesota, the positive impact of these three elements coming together can't help but improve air quality this summer."
There are about 350 stations in Minnesota currently selling E85. The American Lung Association of Minnesota is currently accepting grant applications from fuel retailers who wish to add an E85 or biodiesel pump to their station.
In 2006, Gov. Tim Pawlenty started a push to make E85 available "everywhere" in Minnesota within a few years to reduce gasoline consumption.
But the number of Minnesota service stations installing pumps for E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, is far off that pace.
