First E85 Pump in Metro Atlanta Opens to Consumers

Groundbreaking for Range Fuels Set for Nov. 6

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today announced the opening of the first E85 ethanol fuel pump in Metro Atlanta at the Texaco Food Mart located in Smyrna, Georgia at 4495 South Cobb Drive.  Today’s E85 pump opening was made possible through a partnership between GM, CleanFuel USA and the state of Georgia. 

“Homegrown fuels, such as E85, reduce Georgia’s dependency on traditional energy sources, bring jobs and investment to the state and improve our environment,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “Today’s E85 pump opening is only the beginning.  As the market for alternative fuel grows, there will be greater access to E85 for the 225,000 flex fuel vehicles on the road in Metro Atlanta and throughout the state.”

Atlanta is the third of six stops on GM’s E85 Fall Kick-off of the Fuel for Thought Tour, an effort to educate consumers about the use of E85 as an alternative to gasoline. 

“The work being done by Governor Perdue, the state of Georgia and the Georgia Institute of Technology is critical to the growth of the ethanol infrastructure,” said Elizabeth A. Lowery, GM vice president for environment, energy and safety policy.

Ethanol is a clean-burning motor fuel that is produced from renewable sources and combined with gasoline.   E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) can be used in flex-fuel vehicles.  Flex-fuel vehicles are capable of operating on gasoline, E85 or a mixture of both. 

According to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC), there are approximately six million flex-fuel vehicles in the United States.  To help determine whether a vehicle can operate on E85, visit NEVC online at http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/flexfuelvehicles.php.

Range Fuels Groundbreaking Set for November 6

Range Fuels, a Colorado-based cellulosic ethanol company, will break ground on the nation’s first cellulosic ethanol plant in Soperton, Georgia on November 6, 2007. 

Governor Perdue announced in February that Range Fuels was locating its first facility in Georgia.  Wood waste from the state’s millions of acres of indigenous Georgia pine trees will be the main source of biomass for ethanol and methanol production at the facility.

Georgia E-85 Retail Infrastructure Grant Program

On May 19, 2007, Governor Perdue signed into law SB 157, legislation sponsored by state Senator Ross Tolleson to provide grants to help finance the dispensing of E85 fuel for retail sale.  The Georgia E85 Retail Infrastructure Grant Program will offset a portion of the cost to Georgia retail fuel sellers who choose to invest in E85 storage tanks and pumps.  The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) is responsible for administering the program.

GEFA has established a competitive application process to ensure the funds are distributed in an efficient manner and provide the greatest benefit to the citizens of Georgia. GEFA is receiving applications through early January 2008. 

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