South Dakota is poised to lead the nation in giving consumers a real choice at the pump with a new blender pump initiative announced Thursday.

Through a partnership between the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC), the initiative will help gas station retailers obtain funding and the equipment needed to sell blends of ethanol ranging from 20 to 40 percent to be used in flex fuel vehicles.

According to EPIC Director of Operations Robert White, “The blender pump program will provide incentives and support to gas station retailers who want the opportunity to offer blender pumps, raise awareness to consumers, and offer flex-fuel vehicle motorists more opportunities at the pump.”

One of the main goals is to increase the state’s blender pump infrastructure by installing a minimum of 100 new blender pumps over the next year. There are currently nearly 20 blender pumps in the state. All blender pumps will be branded with the stylized “e” logo and the necessary precautionary pump labels.

“This is just the first step in a program that has the potential to go nationwide as consumers demand greater fueling options at the pump,” said SDCUC President Reid Jensen. “Encouraging blender pump infrastructure development across the state will strengthen our economy.”

Additional resources will be available to the retailers taking advantage of this blender pump program including a marketing and PR campaign to increase public awareness, and pump promotions at stations housing blender pumps.