September 24, 2008 -Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) Director Keith W. Cooley announced today that four public service stations will receive up to $15,000 in incentives to convert refueling equipment to provide ethanol (E85) fuel. These incentives are part of a continuing effort underway to increase the availability of bio-based renewable transportation fuels across Michigan.
"With Michigan automotive manufacturers committed to doubling the number of E85-compatible vehicles by 2010, the next step needed is to expand the network of service stations offering E85," Cooley said. "These station owners will increase the availability of ethanol fuel throughout Michigan and contribute to a more diverse state economy, a vibrant agricultural sector and cleaner air for everyone. Michigan's five ethanol plants and nearly 100 public stations dispensing E85 fuel are helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and providing new jobs for our citizens."
Service station owners receiving the incentives have agreed to complete their installation and begin dispensing E85 to the public by November 15, 2008. The following stations are receiving incentives:
- Freedom Valu Center #38, (Iron Mountain)
- Heritage Gasoline, (Rochester Hills)
- Northgate Tire Service, (Bad Axe)
- Woodward & Harmon Mini Mart, Inc., (Detroit)
Cooley also announced that the E85 pump conversion incentives will continue for public station owners throughout Michigan. The cash incentive will pay 50 percent of eligible costs for converting dispensing equipment to E85 up to a maximum of $5,000. For more information service station owners can contact the Clean Energy Coalition in Ypsilanti at: (888) 818-0987 or www.cec-mi.org.
Funding for the E85 pump conversion incentives has been made available through a U.S. Department of Energy grant (www.energy.gov). The project is administered by the DLEG Energy Office, (www.michigan.gov/energyoffice).
Contacts: Tim Shireman, Energy Office Project Manager
(517) 241-6281, shiremant@michigan.gov
Sean Reed, Clean Energy Coalition
(888) 818-0987, reed@cec-mi.org
Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.
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