Renewable energy arrives in Fowler

The Colorado Corn Growers Association, the Colorado Corn Administrative Committee, the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition and Western Convenience Stores partnered on Thursday morning to celebrate the opening of a new E85 pump location at 123 West Cranston in Fowler.

E85 is a renewable fuel, homegrown and reported to be better for the environment than the petroleum alternative. It contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Consumers who drive flex-fuel vehicles can use any combination of E85 and gasoline.

With every new pump installation, more consumers have access to this renewable fuel.  “We are glad to partner with the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition (GBC) and Western Convenience who are working to expand E85 throughout the state.   By opening this refueling center, we provide Colorado’s agricultural producers and rural citizens an opportunity to buy this environmentally friendly and domestic-sourced fuel. Together, we are making a difference for Colorado’s air quality and for consumers who recognize the benefits of renewable fuels,” says Mark Sponsler, CEO of Colorado Corn. “Western Convenience, GBC, and auto industry leaders like GM have been outstanding partners in this effort.”

The number of E85 fueling locations in Colorado has grown rapidly over the last two years.  Western Convenience has invested in 17 of those locations.  The Colorado Corn Growers Association and GBC have provided funding and support to Western Convenience.

Almost three months ago the Fowler location became a test site. According to Director of Operations for Western Convenience, Bob Van Meter, three to four hundred gallons of E85 have been sold daily from the pump in Fowler. “Fowler has been very supportive,” he comments.

Fowler Town Administrator, Wayne Snider, addressed the assembled crowd and congratulated Van Meter on “getting into the energy game.” “We are pleased you chose Fowler,” he added.
Snider stressed how important it is to explore energy alternatives, not only for Colorado but the U.S. and the world.

Acknowledging there is some controversy over the use of ethanol, Van Meter stated, “Ethanol may not be the final answer but at least we are taking a step.” He went on to point out how the use of ethanol has the potential to lessen America’s dependence on foreign oil and put money into the pockets of American producers.

For the past two to three years, auto manufacturers have been marketing flex-fuel ready vehicles. However, Van Meter informed the audience some older vehicles are also able to utilize the fuel or can be converted with a special adapter kit. More information about flex-fuel vehicles is available at Western Convenience or online at www.E85fuel.com

In a promotional effort to highlight the availability of E85 in the Fowler area consumers running E85 had an opportunity to save money by filling up for only .85 cents a gallon on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Currently a gallon of E85 is regularly priced at $2.79. Western Convenience plans to sell the fuel for approximately $1 less than regular-unleaded.