Cooperative Producers Adds E15 at Funk Location

(Nebraska Ethanol Board) The Nebraska Ethanol Board applauds Cooperative Producers, Inc. (CPI) for adding E15 at their fuel site in Funk, Nebraska. This is CPI’s third location selling E15 in Nebraska.

“As a farmer-owned cooperative we need to support the folks who do business with us,” said Gary Brandt, vice president of Energy with CPI. “CPI uses 500,000 bushels of corn in the ethanol we sell every year, so adding more ethanol to the pumps in Funk really brings a sense of ownership to our growers who work hard throughout the year to feed and fuel our country.”

Brandt noted that CPI’s Funk location only sold a small amount of conventional clear gasoline, so they are removing that product to sell E10 and E15 fuel. CPI did not need to modify fuel storage or dispenser equipment to add E15.

“This location doesn’t have a flex fuel pump, but we’re still able to offer E15 by blending it at the pipeline terminal,” Brandt said. “We’re looking forward to seeing the impact on our business by only offering ethanol-blended fuels. As E15 fuel gains momentum, we believe it will become available at most fuel stations in Nebraska.”

E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, is typically priced 5 to 10 cents lower than regular unleaded, and has an octane rating of 88. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved E15 for use in all vehicles 2001 and newer, and it is currently available at more than 40 stations across Nebraska.

“We appreciate Cooperative Producers’ move to add higher blends like E15, because more ethanol means fewer toxic chemicals in our fuel,” said Sarah Caswell, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “Using higher blends of ethanol is a good decision for all Nebraskans. It helps the state’s economy, consumers’ wallets, vehicle engines and the environment. Ethanol’s impact across the country and the globe continues to grow, but it starts right here at home.”

“We often refer to our industry as the ‘golden triangle,’” said Ted Schrock, district 6 director of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Elm Creek. “We have productive corn, ethanol and livestock sectors, which all work together to boost our state’s economy while providing us with food, fuel and fiber. CPI Cooperative has taken a great step in strengthening this triangle by using a renewable, locally-produced product that benefits everyone who likes to breathe clean air while saving at the pump.”

Cooperative Producers, Inc. is a farmer-owned cooperative headquartered in Hastings, Nebraska, which operates in south central Nebraska. CPI currently serves more than 32 communities with more than 400 employees and offers a range of products and services in agronomy, energy, feed, and grain divisions.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board works to ensure strong public policy and consumer support for biofuels. Since 1971, the independent state agency has designed and managed programs to expand production, market access, worker safety and technology innovation, including recruitment of producers interested in developing conventional ethanol, as well as bio-products from the ethanol platform. For more information, visitwww.ethanol.nebraska.gov. READ MORE