Doors open for more E85 pumps in S.D.

Consumers will be offered greater availability of E85 thanks to a recent move by the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) to approve long-awaited safety requirements on E85 fueling equipment. The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council applauds the UL’s stamp of approval as it supports the organization’s efforts to increase availability of E85 and demand for the renewable fuel.

A year ago UL de-certified all equipment that dispensed any blend of ethanol over 10% with some exceptions. With the current restrictions lifted, all equipment used to dispense ethanol can be certified. Equipment manufactures will submit their equipment for cortication and will be available for use in the near future.

“This is a huge stepping stone for the renewable fuels industry which will set the foundation for continued ethanol growth,” said Jerry Rubendall, president of the SDCUC. “Many fueling stations are eager to offer E85 because their consumers are demanding it and this safety stamp from the UL will pave the way for that to happen.”

South Dakota currently has 65 E85 pumps in the state and there 1,300 nationwide; these numbers could easily double over the next year due to this ruling. There are currently 6 million Flex Fuel Vehicles on the road, if every one of these vehicles were running on E85, this equates to 5 billion gallons of ethanol.