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Consumers have more options at the pump

Fort Wayne, Ind. residents will have additional options when it comes to filling up their flex-fuel vehicles.  The flex-fuel pump – the first of its kind offers drivers the option for E85 or E30.  Lassus Handy Dandy president Todd Lassus says there are multiple benefits in providing the customer with flex-fuel options.  He says, “There are “green consumers” and we want those, too.  In addition we want to reduce our dependency on foreign oil and also it’s also great for our Indiana farmers.”

Greg Noble, Chief Operating Officer for the Indiana Corn Marketing Council says the flex-fuel pumps are part of a program ICMC developed about a year ago.  Noble says, “The board approved money for operating grants to do installation of flex-fuel pump infrastructure to provide consumers a broader base, or more choice at the pump for mid-level blends of ethanol fuel. “ Noble tells Brownfield the grants are up to 50% of the project cost, a maximum of $20,000.”   To date, Noble says the ICMC board has approved 14 Flex Fuel Pump projects.

Mike Shuter, president of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council says this is a great opportunity for Indiana corn farmers.  “The more ethanol we use, the more corn we have going into the ethanol industry,” he says.  “We’ve increased corn production over the last ten years by more than the amount that is now going into ethanol.”  Shuter says Indiana corn farmers need continued demand for the products they are producing and this project (and the ethanol industry) is one area where growers can continue to add demand.

The grant available by ICMC is open to both new and existing stations in Indiana and is currently accepting applications. 

You can email [email protected] for more information.