E15 Now Offered in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota now has 1,000 lakes -- and one gas station offering E15 at the pump.

Penn Mobil in Minneapolis is Minnesota's first gas station to offer E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. E10 is most commonly sold at the pump. Minnesota is the 10th state to have at least have one gas station offering E15.

Penn Mobil may be the first, but will not be the last gas station in Minnesota selling E15, however. Several other convenience stores and gas stations are considering selling the fuel blend in the near future, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

The Environmental Protection Agency approved E15 for use in 2001 and newer cars, SUVs and light trucks. Several groups, however, have raised concerns about E15, including the American Petroleum Institute and AAA, which have pointed to possible engine problems the alternative fuel can cause, as well as the fact that a study conducted by the latter showed that more than 90 percent of the general public is unaware of the alternative fuel.

More than 40 gas stations sell E15 nationwide, according to Growth Energy, an ethanol industry advocate group. The alternative fuel currently sells for an average of 10 to 20 cents per gallon less than regular gasoline.

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