Consumers in Kansas have embraced E15. The Zarco 66 “Oasis” station in Lawrence became the first retail gas station in the country to offer E15 under the waiver granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and consumers are buying the renewable fuel blend.

On July 18, 2012, Zarco 66 Station owner Scott Zaremba held a pump promotion for two hours where E15 was sold for $1.15 per gallon. During the promotion, 3,000 gallons of E15 were sold. The ethanol blend can be used in vehicles and light duty trucks beginning with the manufacturer year of 2001. In the U.S., nearly 60 percent of the cars and trucks on the road can use E15.

Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of RFA noted that E15 represents a new choice at the pump introducing additional competition in the fuel market. “As a result of increased ethanol use, drivers are paying less at the pump, rural America is seeing better economic opportunities, and the nation is weakening its dependence on imported oil.”

Given current market conditions, E15 will sell less than E10 and gasoline not containing ethanol. The Zarco 66 “Oasis” is selling E15 for two cents less than E10.

Dinneen added, “Anti-biofuel critics can scream until they are blue in the face, but as the drivers in Lawrence are learning, E15 is safe and viable fuel choice.