Alternative Fuel Station Opens

Maryland Grain Producers

NEWS

New Public-Private Funded Alternative Fuel Station Features B20 Biodiesel, E85 Ethanol and Propane Autogas

Phillips Energy, Inc., is celebrating the growth of domestically produced alternative fuels in the Mid-Atlantic at the Grand Opening of the new and open-to-the-public Phillips Energy fueling station on October 8, 2010. This new public 24-hour fueling facility will include B20 biodiesel, E85 ethanol, and propane Autogas as well as gasoline and diesel. The facility will be the first privately owned station in Virginia to dispense three different alternative fuels, and was partially through a Department of Energy's Clean Cities program grant.

Each of these alternative fuels can be produced domestically, creating American jobs locally. E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, and can be used in any of the 8 million flex fuel vehicles in the United States. Biodiesel can be produced from domestic resources such as soybeans and canola. Propane Autogas, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a byproduct of domestic natural gas processing and crude oil refining.

"I commend Phillips Energy for leading the way toward the use of clean fuels that can be produced in the United States and create jobs right here in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Bob McDonnell.

"This station is indicative of the proactive approach that is needed to bring us closer to an energy future that thrives on clean, domestically produced fuels," said Congressman Rob Wittman (VA). "Phillips Energy has proven that it is willing to be a leader in attaining this goal."

The Grand Opening offered E85 fuel for $0.85 per gallon from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The event also featured vehicle displays with opportunities to ride and drive more than a dozen alternative fuel vehicles.

“It's critically important that our country looks for alternative energy sources that are more environmentally friendly and provide greater energy security,” stated Walter Gordon, President of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB). “Using ethanol allows us to cut carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 30 percent.” MGPUB has been involved in infrastructure development to advance use of E85 in Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia.

"Phillips Energy feels it is our duty as an energy service provider to be thinking ahead, and doing our part to make alternative fuels and vehicles more available and accessible to the public," said John Phillips, President of Philips Energy, Inc. "Through our work with Virginia Clean Cities and various other stakeholders over the years, we feel proud of our accomplishments and are ready to start seeing public demand increase for alternatives to imported energy resources."