28 October 2005

Governor: Kansans are using more ethanol
“Ethanol helps our economy, environment and security,” says Sebelius

Kansans are using more ethanol in their vehicles, and more stations are set to start offering ethanol-blended fuels in the next year. Governor Kathleen Sebelius says this is good news for our economy, our environment and our national security.

According to the Kansas Department of Revenue, Kansans consumed more than seven times as much ethanol in July and August when compared to the same two-month period in 2004. During this two month period in 2004, Kansans used 580,000 gallons of ethanol, compared to over 4.3 million gallons during the same period in 2005.

“This is welcome news. Ethanol burns cleaner and it is made right here in Kansas, which helps both our environment and our economy.  Plus it cuts down on the need to import foreign oil, which is good for national security,” said Governor Sebelius, who will become chair of the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition in January.

Kansas is currently home to seven ethanol plants that use 65 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum to produce 170 million gallons of ethanol per year.  A plant in Phillipsburg is under construction.

Sebelius encouraged all Kansans to use ethanol in their vehicles.

“Gasoline with 10% ethanol, known as E10, is safe for any gasoline-fueled vehicle. E85, which is 85% ethanol, can be used in any of the more than six million flexible-fueled vehicles on the road in the United States today,” she said.

Of these flexible fuel vehicles, an estimated 80,000 are in Kansas.  The state now has seven E85 stations -- in Coffeyville, Garnett, Great Bend (2), Hays, Maize, and Topeka.  To meet growing demand, 20 more E85 stations are slated to open across Kansas in 2006.

Drivers can find out if their cars can use E85 by visiting www.e85fuel.com.