Pilot Program for Mid-Level Ethanol Blends

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1 Pilot Program for Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety Mahesh Albuquerque

2 Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Ethanol blends above 10%, typically E20, E30 and E40

3 Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Increase ethanol use in Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) to support the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard Provide FFV owners increased freedom of choice Stimulate ethanol consumption while improving mileage compared to E85 use

4 Blender Pumps Typically utilize two USTs, one containing unleaded gasoline and the other containing E85 In addition to unleaded, E10, and E85, the pump can also dispense a variety of mid-level ethanol blends often E20, E30, and E40 Created by mixing the appropriate percentages of fuel from each underground tank

5 Pilot Program Colorado Corn, an advocacy organization for corn growers in Colorado requested the Division allow the sale of midlevel ethanol blends for use in Flex Fuel Vehicles Roundtable meeting held with stakeholders: Regional Air Quality Control Commission Department of Public Health and Environment Regional EPA Fire Marshalls Ethanol Producers and Marketers Petroleum Marketers Association Growth Energy

6 Pilot Program Guidelines Allows sale of mid-level ethanol blends at Fleet Vehicle Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and on a trial basis at Retail Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities Requires submittal of an UST Installation or Upgrade application with Alternative Fuel Compatibility Form Requires labeling of dispensers to ensure mid-level ethanol blends are only for use in Flex Fuel Vehicles

7 Alternative Fuel Compatibility Form

8 Pilot Program Guidelines Evaluate application for: Suitability of equipment Labeling of dispenser and storage tanks. Operational issues Fuel quality standards Periodic inspections by the owner/operator

9 Suitability of equipment The UST system, including all piping, blending and dispensing system equipment must be fully compatible with the ethanol blend stock (E98 - E85) stored onsite Dispensing and associated equipment must comply with all applicable requirements of NIST Handbook 44 Device must have NTEP certificate and comply with the applicable provisions, including flow rates

10 Labeling of dispenser and USTs Flex-fuel blends above E-10 are prohibited from displaying an octane rating Flex-fuel blends must be labeled with orange labels (same size and type required by FTC) Storage tanks must be properly identified as to the fuel contained in the tank Dispenser nozzle handles dispensing blends greater than 10% ethanol shall be yellow in color A label which states, Stop Not Gasoline shall be placed on the dispenser nozzle handle or adjacent to the nozzle rest

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12 Proper dispensing of fuels Each preset blend of flex-fuel that is greater than 10% ethanol shall be dispensed from a hose separate from the unleaded gasoline or any other flex-fuel blend All dispensers must be accurate and the blend ratios correctly dispensed Take voluntary precautions to restrict access to pumps that dispense ethanol blends greater than E10 to those persons who have flexible-fueled vehicles or engines

13 Operational Issues Storage tanks and lines used to store fuel ethanol must be properly cleaned prior to start up Flex-fuel dispensers must be equipped with an ethanol rated filter (10 micron) Use an alcohol-compatible (e.g. Teflon-coated) hose

14 Fuel Quality Standards Unleaded gasoline must meet ASTM D4814 E85 must meet ASTM D5798 Fuel ethanol must meet ASTM D4806 Flex-fuel blends (E20, E30, etc) shall contain the stated percent of ethanol in blend

15 Inspections by Owner/Operator An initial inspection, including testing for fuel quality of all blended flex-fuels shall be conducted prior to the station s opening for business Monthly inspections shall be conducted to monitor the equipment s performance and fuel quality

16 First Pilot Site December 2009 Received and approved upgrade application February 2010 System installation April 2010 Stratton Equity Co-op offered first mid level ethanol blends at a retail location in Burlington, Colorado Monthly inspections have not indicated any concerns with equipment or fuel quality

17 Stratton Equity Co-op, Burlington