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.
Demark-based biotech firm 
But there is a better way. The National Biodiesel Board says cleaner-burning biodiesel could help construction companies reduce their impact. It cites two companies… Manatt’s in Iowa and North Bay Construction in California… and their positive experiences with biodiesel in their heavy equipment. NBB has posted some of their testimonials 
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns spent Wednesday in the state of Indiana talking about domestic fuel. 
At that event, 
South Dakota-based 
Ethanol was the center of attention outside the US Senate building in Washington DC Wednesday as Senators Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh of Indiana joined with members of the ethanol industry to mark the use of 100 percent fuel grade ethanol in the IndyCar Series starting in Homestead this weekend. 
EPIC Executive Director Tom Slunecka said several other lawmakers in addition to Sens. Lugar and Bayh attended the event as well, including Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota.
EPIC board member Greg Krissek, Director of Government affairs for ethanol design firm 
“The Clean Air Choice essay scholarship is open to all high school seniors in Minnesota who wish to continue their education after high school,” said contest coordinator Alison Deneen. “Two scholarships will be awarded. The first place essay writer will receive a $500 scholarship; the second place essay writer will receive a $250 scholarship.”
The president talked about his goal of reducing America’s gasoline consumption by 20 percent over the next 10 years and how hybrid cars and flex-fuel vehicles can help achieve that goal.
Denver-based