Florida’s Turnpike Turkey Lake Service Plaza fueling facility has become the first station in Central Florida to offer E85 to the motoring public. Prior to this station, the only sites to offer the clean, domestic fuel to the over 500,000 flexible fuel vehicles are in the cities of Tallahassee and Miami.
Governor Charlie Crist recently made an announcement regarding the new station. The Governor’s office issued a press release which noted below.
“The rising cost of gasoline is affecting Floridians’ driving decisions, so it makes sense for us to offer a viable alternative. It makes even more sense to offer travelers the opportunity to choose ethanol and reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions.”
The addition of the E85 pumps heralds a $1.5 million Turnpike cooperative initiative with Martin Petroleum Corp. to offer ethanol as an alternative fuel choice at three of the most-heavily visited service plazas located along the 312-mile Turnpike.
Recognizing that more alternative fuel vehicles are appearing on Florida’s highways, the Governor lauded the addition of ethanol as a responsible, renewable fuel choice for both commuters and the millions of visitors who travel the Turnpike to reach their vacation destinations.
The Turnpike service plazas at Port St. Lucie/Ft. Pierce and Pompano will add ethanol later this summer.
Governor Crist also applaud the FDOT its role in helping state government lead by example. About one-third of the Turnpike’s motor vehicle pool is comprised of flex fuel vehicles.