According to a new survey commissioned by the American Lung Association of Minnesota, public awareness of the alternative fuel E85 is up more than 20 percent since two other surveys were conducted in 2006. More than four out of five Minnesota drivers surveyed by the Detroit-based Phoenix Marketing International firm in February said they were somewhat or very familiar with E85.

The survey results were welcome — but not particularly surprising – news to Bob Moffitt, communications director for the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest’s clean fuels and vehicle technologies program.

“Minnesota is clearly the ‘epicenter of E85’ in North America, with more than 300 E85 stations and more than 18 million gallons of the alternative fuel sold here last year,” Moffitt said. “While pleased with the data, we are not satisfied with the number of E85 outlets in Minnesota. Our goal is to have 1,800 E85 outlets in the state five years from now. It’s an ambitious goal, to be sure, but if we don’t act soon we will loose our leadership position to other states that are currently investing millions in E85 station infrastructure.”

The American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest offers information about Clean Air Choices, including E85 and biodiesel, on their website at www.cleanairchoice.org.