April 20, 2012

Celebrating Earth Day with Ethanol

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Blue skies, green grass, fresh air, running water, and colorful plants. These are just a few of the things that describe our wonderful planet. This Sunday, thousands of people across the United States will be celebrating “Earth Day”, which was started back in 1970 by John McConnell. Earth Day takes place every year on April 22 and is a celebration of our planet while at the same time bringing attention to environmental issues.

So what are some ways that a person can participate on Earth Day? Well there are many ways that a person can participate, such as planting a tree or recycling different items. However, another way to participate on Earth Day, that is both environmentally friendly and easier on your wallet, is to fill up your vehicle with a renewable fuel, such as ethanol. Ethanol has been proven to reduce tailpipe carbon monoxide by as much as 30 percent and also reduces particulate matter up to 50 percent. The use of ethanol won’t only have an impact on the environment now, but will be better for the environment in the future. It is estimated that by using ethanol, drivers could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 percent in the future.

If you drive a flex-fuel vehicle (FFV), you can fill up with any ethanol blended fuel, such as E85. If you’re not sure whether or not your vehicle is a FFV, be sure to either check your fuel cap or the driver’s manual. Both should give you an indication on whether or not your vehicle can use higher blends of ethanol other than E10. Even if you don’t drive a FFV, anyone can still fill up with E10. E10 contains up to 10 percent ethanol that is blended in with 90 percent gasoline. E10 is offered at most retailers across the state of Nebraska while certain locations offer higher blends of ethanol. If you are looking for a retailer close to you that offers higher blends of ethanol, such as E85, you can visit the Nebraska Ethanol Boards website where they have all of the E85 and blender pump locations listed on a map.

As we celebrate our planet this weekend, remember that there are many ways to participate and one of the easiest ways that is both good for the planet and your wallet is filling up with ethanol!

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