History was made today when the first gallon of E15 was sold in Iowa. Linn Co-op Oil Company in Marion is the state’s first retailer to give customers with 2001 or newer vehicles the choice of filling up with 15% ethanol blended fuel.

“We are honored to be Iowa’s first retailer to offer E15 to our customers who have been asking for it,” said Jim Becthold, Service Manager for Linn Co-op Oil Company. “We anticipate that E15 could account for up to 50 percent of our total fuel sales.” Bechtold wanted to offer the fuel when it first received final approval from EPA in June, but was unable to do so until now because of EPA’s summer volatility standards that prevented him from being able to get the proper blendstock to use.

As part of the introduction of E15, Linn Co-op will hold an open house this Friday, September 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. E15 will be discounted 15 cents per gallon during the open house. To introduce E15 to Marion residents, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), Iowa Corn Growers and the Iowa Power Fund Community Grant Program are sponsoring a media campaign that includes radio and print ads, billboards and direct mail. The campaign will run throughout September.

IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton says this type of campaign is available to any Iowa retailer who wants to offer E15 for 2001 and newer vehicle owners, noted Norton. Retailers preparing to offer E15 in the future are urged to contact the IRFA for promotional assistance.