One year ago at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference in Milwaukee, the BYO Ethanol campaign was launched as a joint effort between corn-producing states, ACE, and the Renewable Fuels Association with the goal of installing more blender pumps nationwide. Today that effort is more important than ever as the industry is face to face with the 10 percent blend wall. ACE members heard more about that this week during the 23rd annual Ethanol Conference and Trade Show in Kansas City as ACE Vice President for Market Development Ron Lamberty gave a little update to the membership on that effort and the importance of getting blender pumps out there.
“They’re something we just have to have if we’re ever going to get to the point where customers can choose to use gasoline or ethanol in whatever blends they want,” Lamberty said. He adds that blender pumps could become very important for marketers, if EPA approves some mixed level of blending ethanol for gasoline, such as 15 percent only for certain vehicles. “If they have a blender pump, they can use any combination,” he said.
There are many incentives in place for retailers to install blender pumps, such as tax credits and help from programs like BYO Ethanol. “Right now, a lot of people are wanting to pay a part of that bill for them, so it’s a great time for petroleum marketers to put in a blender pump,” said Lamberty.
Listen to an interview with Ron Lamberty here: ACE Conference Ron Lamberty