Sheetz Celebrates Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership

(CStore Decisions) Debuts its 10th E85/E15 refueling station in Virginia. -- Sheetz is celebrating the impact of the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Biofuel Infrastructure Project Grant with the opening of its 10th E85 and E15 Biofuel station in Virginia.

Through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership, which aims to increase the availability of domestic biofuel in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Sheetz located at 11774 Sudley Manor Drive in Manassas, Va. became the 10th gas station to offer E15 in the state of Virginia.

“Sheetz, is proud to be a partner in the Biofuel Infrastructure Project Grant,” said Mike Lorenz, Sheetz executive vice president petroleum supply. “As we continue our reputation as an industry innovator and the ultimate one-stop shop, we are pleased to continue expanding the offering of E85 and E15, the new and innovative blends of fuel, to consumers in Virginia.”

An additional 10 Sheetz stores offering E85/E15 are planned for Virginia through this partnership. The Virginia project adds nearly 40 total stations in Virginia and Maryland and is an award to the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and supported by Virginia Clean Cities.

The Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership Grant, totaling nearly $5 million to install ethanol refueling infrastructure in Virginia and Maryland, brings greater access to clean, home-grown renewable fuel and gives Virginia and Maryland residents more access to a broader range of fuel options. As a significant private sector infrastructure partner, Sheetz has committed to offering cleaner burned E-15 product at more Sheetz locations in the coming years.

“Virginia drivers now have cleaner and more affordable fuel choices thanks to the availability of higher ethanol blends at the pump,” said Michael Scuse, under secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. “Now that projects across the country are starting to take shape, it is clear that the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership is working to increase access to renewable, American-made fuels that will help reduce our environmental impact and support rural economies.”

The Virginia-Maryland collaboration was the only multi-state proposal selected for award. This collaborative effort will result in greater access to fueling infrastructure across Virginia, by increasing the number of stations across the Commonwealth offering ethanol such as this Sheetz in Manassas. This cleaner inexpensive biofuel benefits Virginia businesses, agriculture, and drivers. READ MORE

Excerpt from WVAX: Sheetz Inc. will use the funds to install 103 E15 dispensers, 74 E85 dispensers, 12 B20 dispensers, 41 E15 retrofitted dispensers, 2 ethanol storage tanks, and 1 biodiesel storage tank at 40 fueling stations in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The Virginia portion is part of an overall $239-million USDA investment funding through the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Expanding the availability of homegrown biofuels not only strengthens our energy independence but also spurs economic growth by creating new revenue for businesses operating in rural Virginia,” said Perry Hickman, USDA Rural Development Virginia State Director. “That revenue directly benefits working families who need access to good paying jobs to remain in these communities.” READ MORE

Excerpt from ABC 27: The locations impacted by this grant in Pennsylvania include Bethlehem, Fleetwood, Forest, Girard, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Hudson, Inwood, Nanty Glo, New Castle, Plum, Pittsburgh, and York.

USDA says these projects will increase the amount of biofuel sold by more than 31 million gallons per year.