Early adopters help ethanol-blend fuel transition go smoothly

John Adcock of Marshall fuels his pickup at a gas station in Marshall. The store has recently started offering the 10 percent ethanol blend in its low-grade and medium-grade gasolines to comply with Missouri's Renewable Fuel Standard, which went into effect on Jan.1, 2008. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

The Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard went into affect on Jan. 1, making Missouri only the third state -- behind Minnesota and Hawaii -- to require gasoline under 91 octane to contain 10 percent ethanol, as long as the ethanol price is lower than regular gasoline.

In Marshall last week, the change seemed to be going smoothly.

In fact, anticipating the change many stations have been offering the blend for several months, including the three local stores owned by Dan Musick of Marshall, which include two Quick Runs and Odell Express.

"We've been offering the blend for a couple months now," he said, adding he hasn't had and doesn't anticipate any problems.

"I'm glad to see it for our community, if it helps farmers it should also help the local economy," he said.

Dale Driskell, owner of Marshall's BP station, said they started selling the ethanol-blended fuel in the last couple of weeks.

He, too, said he doesn't anticipate any problems with the blend, adding that Casey's and MFA's Breaktime Stores have had E-10 in their fuels for quite sometime.

Driskell said that the use of the blend has lowered the price by a few cents, because ethanol is now cheaper than regular fuel.

Musick said he thinks the blend will create more of an even playing field for area gas stations, as gas stations will now be offering the same kind of fuel.

"Consumers are getting a more consistent product and know what they are getting," he said.

According to data from the Missouri Department of Revenue and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, ethanol was blended in 90 percent of the gasoline sold in the state during the month of November, in anticipation of the change.

Both Musick and Driskell said they will be using the blend in their low- and medium-grade gasoline, but will continue to offer ethanol-free, high-grade premium gasoline.

In addition to Missouri's law, there is also a federal renewable fuels standard in effect that called for oil companies to buy 4.7 billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel in 2007.

Oil companies are expected to use about 7 billion gallons, but ethanol plants have produced about 7.5 billion gallons, according to Gary Marshall, executive officer of the Missouri Corn Growers Association.

More information on use of 10 percent ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard can be found on www.mocorn.org.

Information for this article came from the Associated Press and the Missouri Corn Growers Association.

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net