Minneapolis, Nov 3 In a landmark development for Minnesotas ethanol industry, there are now 202 stations in the state that offer E15.
In the past two weeks, several stations in the Twin Cities metro area and in Rochester and Mankato have begun offering E15, bringing the total number of stations with E15 to 202.
In the past 10 months, 141 stations throughout the state have begun offering E15 said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Rudnicki said among the factors that led to an exponential growth in the number of stations offering E15 this year included federal and state grants, continued outreach to stations from organizations like the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association as well as increasing demand from consumers.
Major fuel-retailer brands began carrying E15 at their respective stations this year where in the past most of the stations offering E15 were independently-owned. This played a major role in expanding access to E15 throughout the state,? he said.
Among the fuel retail brands currently offering E15 at select stations in Minnesota include Kwik Trip, Minnoco, Holiday, SuperAmerica, Little Dukes, Winner, Hy-Vee, Cenex, Bobby & Steves, Kum & Go, Petro Serve, Clark and Tesoro.
Rudnicki said the bulk of the stations offering E15 in Minnesota are located within the Twin Cities metro area with 73 stations.
E15 is also available in other major cities in Minnesota such as Rochester, Duluth, St Cloud and Mankato,? he said.
E15 also branded as Unleaded Plus at many retail stations in Minnesota has an octane rating of 88, emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions and is produced in the state.