The deadline has now passed for fuel station owners in the state of Oklahoma to have signage regarding ethanol at their faclities. They must now label their pumps indicating ethanol additives. This law will be in accordance with what was passed this last legislative sesssion.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission will be inspecting pumps to be sure that the dispensers are labeled. Violators will face a $500 fine and will be shut down.

“They need to fix it immediately,” Commission spokesman Matt Skinner said, before adding, “We’re in a transition phase. We’re giving a little leeway.” The leeway indicates a short-term tolerance involving stations that right now “may” meet the spirit of the law if not the letter. And may is the operative word.

A fueling station’s sticker, for instance, could say the “fuel contains up to 10 percent ethanol.” Outside another station, however, the wording may say the gasoline “may” contain up to 10 percent ethanol.” Skinner noted that some businesses were having sticker issues and would eventually need to get more precise wording about their gasoline content.

It’s been reported that part of the incentive to sell ethanol blended fuel at a 10 percent blend is that it is significantly cheaper than regular gasoline. Ethanol costs less than $3 per gallon wholesale, while regular gasoline is selling at about $4 per gallon nationally.

Commission inspectors performed more than 18,000 tests at pumps last year and they indicated any stations violating the law now will be shut down.