The opening of an E-85 pump on Friday at Oceania Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Virginia received enthusiastic response from the public and the media.

The Virginia-Pilot reported that, “A crowd of Navy officers, energy executives, a congressman and camera-toting media circled the first customer who pulled up to the shiny new pump, Petty Officer 1st Class Lacresha Fears.” The first tankful of E85 was pumped and paid for by NEXCOM (Navy Exchange Service Command) Commander Rear Adm. Robert Bianchi.

Television station WAVY-TV was also on hand to cover the event Friday, as Bianchi participating in a ribbon cutting for the new pump with Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen, Congressman Glenn Nye of Virginia; Capt. Mark Rich, commanding officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana; and Protec Fuel CEO Todd Garner.

“Just as the U.S. Navy is vital to the security of this nation, so too is ethanol in helping this nation become more energy secure,” said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen. “America’s ethanol industry is pleased to partner with the United States Navy to help reduce the demand for imported oil and increase our reliance on homegrown sources of renewable energy. Opening this facility sends a powerful signal that the U.S. Navy is committed to reducing oil dependence by leading by example.”

The pump at Oceana Exchange was made possible by a contract between NEXCOM and Protec Fuel.