Sheetz Expands Alternative Fuels Offer in Virginia

ALTOONA, Pa. — Sheetz convenience store has officially opened its 10th E85 and E15 Biofuel station in Virginia.

The Sheetz site — located at 11774 Sudley Manor Dr. in Manassas, Va. — is the 10th gas station to offer E15 in Virginia through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership, which aims to increase the availability of domestic biofuel in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"Sheetz, is proud to be a partner in the Biofuel Infrastructure Project Grant," said Mike Lorenz, Sheetz executive vice president of petroleum supply. "As we continue our reputation as an industry innovator and the ultimate one-stop shop, we are pleased to continue expanding the offering of E85 and E15, the new and innovative blends of fuel, to consumers in Virginia."

E15 was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2011 for 2001 or newer cars. It is a fuel blend containing 15-percent ethanol and 85-percent gasoline.

An additional 10 Sheetz stores offering E85 and E15 are planned for Virginia through the project as part of the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership Grant. The Virginia project aims to add nearly 40 total stations in Virginia and Maryland. It is supported by Virginia Clean Cities, and is an award to the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.

The Biofuel Infranstructure Partnership Grant — totaling nearly $5 million to install ethanol refueling infranstructure in Virginia and Maryland — brings more access to clean, home-grown renewable fuel, and gives Virginia and Maryland residents more access to a broader range of fuels options, Sheetz said in a company statement.

As a significant private sector infrastructure partner, Sheetz has committed to offering cleaner burned E15 product at more Sheetz locations in the coming years. As CSNews Online previously reported, the company began installing new E15 options in early 2015 with the expectation of 60 Sheetz locations to sell the alternative fuel by spring 2016.

"Virginia drivers now have cleaner and more affordable fuel choices thanks to the availability of higher ethanol blends at the pump," said Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse. "Now that projects across the country are starting to take shape, it is clear that the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership is working to increase access to renewable, American-made fuels that will help reduce our environmental impact and support rural economies."

Altoona-based Sheetz Inc. operates more than 500 locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.