According to a press release from the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri will soon be offering additional blends of ethanol at fueling pumps. A pilot program was announced allowing the sale of 10 – 85 percent ethanol fuel.

“This is an important step towards providing Missouri consumers with new energy options that can offer both economic savings and improved fuel mileage,” said Gary Clark, Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) senior director of marketing. “Our goal is to work with MDA and fuel retailers across the state to make sure proper and workable measurement standards are established while helping install locations where consumers can benefit from these mid-range ethanol blends.”

A partnership between MCGA, Missouri Renewable Partners, Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and the Missouri Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Division are working together to implement this new program. LifeLine Foods-Ethanol Division in St. Joseph, Mo., has served as a representative from Missouri’s farmer-owned ethanol industry in this pilot. The program has been awarded a one-year permit and will then be reviewed by MDA for statewide implementation. All pilot locations must be approved through the MDA Weights and Measures Division and MCGA.

Currently, ethanol blends higher than 10 percent are only approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for FFVs.