Florida Gas Stations Continue Conversion to Ethanol Blend

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In an attempt to lessen the sticker shock at the pumps, gas stations in Northern Florida are quietly converting to E10, a blend of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol, reported the Jackson Business Journal.

Hess, Chevron and BP all operate terminals in Jacksonville. By federal law, the oil companies are mandated to use a percentage of ethanol in its products by year's end. An initiative that is further supported by the renewable energy bill recently passed by the Florida Legislature and expected to be signed by Gov. Charlie Crist in June, reported the paper. The bill will require all gasoline sold in Florida to contain a minimum of 10 percent ethanol by 2011.

The use of ethanol will decrease the per-gallon price; however, the impact will not be realized immediately and savings will be minimal, reported the paper.

To meet increasing demands for ethanol and renewable fuels, the Jacksonville-based Gate Petroleum Co.'s subsidiary, Gate Biofuels, is developing a $90 million, 55 million-gallon petroleum and renewable fuels terminal.

The Jackson Business Journal reported the terminal will supply, blend and store petroleum, ethanol and biodiesel for its gas stations and petroleum customers in six southeastern states.
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