South Dakota will soon begin incorporating 15 percent ethanol (E15) fuel into its state vehicle fleet.

Governor Dennis Daugaard announced Thursday that E15 will be made available this year during a test period at four major fuel sites in Brookings, Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls. The state will utilize E15 for flex fuel vehicles and some of its newer non-flex fuel models that are approved for E15 use. Flex fuel vehicles make up over 58 percent of the fleet or 1,950 vehicles. Currently, the state fueling sites primarily provide E10 fuel for fleet vehicles.

“South Dakota is a large ethanol producer, and our state has significantly benefited from the ethanol industry,” said Daugaard. “The goal is to use more of our homegrown fuel by using E15, the newest fuel in the marketplace.”

South Dakota is the fifth largest ethanol producing state in the nation, producing about a billion gallons per year, an industry worth about $3.8 billion. It is also home to POET, one of the world’s largest ethanol production companies, based in Sioux Falls. “We are excited to hear Governor Daugaard’s desire to incorporate E15 into South Dakota’s state vehicle fleet,” POET President and CEO Jeff Lautt. “This is a no-cost means to create new jobs, stimulate the economy, secure our nation and improve our environment.”

Also located in South Dakota is the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). “Gov. Daugaard is providing tremendous leadership and vision by encouraging the use of E15 in the state’s vehicle fleet, a move which will support South Dakota’s farmers and ethanol industry,” said Ron Lamberty, ACE senior vice president.

The governor’s office says the testing period for E15 will run about six months, after which the state will evaluate how the use of the E15 blend affected the fleet and determine how to efficiently utilize ethanol in the future. “We are confident state employees will find E15 a safe, reliable and affordable fuel choice,” said Lamberty.