Missouri Governor Blunt Highlights Savings for Missouri Drivers through Ethanol E-10

Standard Estimated to Save Missourians $285 Million in Gas Costs

April 21, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today highlighted a study that shows Missouri’s 10 percent ethanol standard (E-10) is helping Missouri drivers save nearly 10 cents per gallon when they fill up their vehicles at Missouri gas stations.

Ethanol E-10: Photo by Jeff Maki (CC)

“Gas prices are too high and these rising costs drive home the point that we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Gov. Blunt said. “That is part of why I am a strong supporter of plant-based renewable fuels and am pleased to see that increasing ethanol use in our state is saving Missouri drivers money at the pump. Our state has great potential in the emerging renewable fuels industry, and if the fields of Missouri’s farm families are to become the oil fields of the 21st Century, we must continue to support policies that allow us to position ourselves at the forefront of this thriving industry, which is good for our farmers, our environment and Missouri families’ pocketbooks.”

Gov. Blunt pointed to a study by John Urbanchuk of LECG that shows Missouri drivers are benefiting from the increased use of ethanol in gasoline. In 2007 the use of E-10 saved Missouri drivers 7.7 cents per gallon at the pump for a total savings of $158.2 million, or $40 for each licensed driver in the state. This year the use of ethanol is estimated to save Missouri drivers 9.8 cents per gallon or $72.80 per driver, which will add up to more than $285 million in savings for 2008.

Missouri is the third state to implement an E-10 standard.

Gov. Blunt signed legislation requiring gasoline sold in Missouri to contain 10 percent ethanol. Over the past several months, gasoline distributors have been working, with assistance from the Missouri Department of Agriculture, to complete the transition from petroleum based gasoline to an E-10 blend.

Ethanol is a cleaner burning alternative to petroleum based gasoline and is more efficient to produce. It contains more oxygen, which results in better combustion and fewer carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and carcinogenic emissions.

Over the last three years, Gov. Blunt's administration has worked to pay back the incentive payments that were promised to the Missouri farm families that invested in ethanol cooperatives, but were not made before he took office. He also signed an executive order and supporting legislation requiring that at least 70 percent of new vehicles purchased by the Office of Administration’s state fleet are flex fuel vehicles. The state fleet currently has 36 hybrid electric and 1,717 E85 vehicles.

For more information regarding the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard or questions regarding E-10 gasoline, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture at (573) 751-2922 or visit www.mda.mo.gov.

Source: Missouri Governor

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