Aurora A-Stop gives back with Fuel the Cure
Aurora Cooperative’s A-Stop 24 just north of Grant has joined 23 other Nebraska fuel retailers in “Fuel the Cure” this month.
Fuel the Cure is an opportunity to raise awareness for breast cancer as well as other cancers by choosing cleaner-burning ethanol blends at the fuel pump.
Grant’s Aurora A-Stop 24, five of their other locations and other participating fuel retailers are donating three cents for every gallon of E15, E30 and E85 sold this month to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha.
A-Stop 24 and the other participating retailers have pink handles on fuel pumps and signs for Fuel the Cure.
Aurora Cooperative Vice President of Marketing Kevin Sagehorn said they are excited to team up with the Nebraska Ethanol Board to support cancer research as well as ethanol expansion.
Ethanol blends higher than 15 percent are approved for use in flex fuel vehicles. One in seven Nebraskans are driving a flex fuel vehicle, which can run on any blend of American Ethanol up to E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline).
Drivers can check their owner’s manual to see if they’re driving a flex fuel vehicle. The vehicle might also have a flex fuel badge on the trunk or tailgate — or a yellow gas cap.
“Using higher blends of ethanol is a good decision for all Nebraskans,” said David Bruntz, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Friend. “It helps the state’s economy, consumers’ wallets, vehicle engines and the environment. Ethanol’s impact across the country and the globe continues to grow, but it starts right here at home.”
Year-round E15 sales
E15 (15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline) is approved for use in all passenger vehicles 2001 and newer. It typically saves motorists three to 10 cents per gallon at the pump and is a natural octane booster.
On Oct. 9, President Donald Trump announced his administration’s decision to move forward with year-round sales of E15.
Current regulations permit E15 sales only between Sept. 16 through April 30. Trump’s announcement would simplify this regulation and allow for year-round usage.
Sagehorn said Aurora Cooperative was excited to hear Trump’s announcement on the expanded year-long offering of E15.
“We know this decision will allow more retailers to invest in ethanol-expansion opportunities with greater confidence now that this market will be available year-round,” he said.
Grant’s A-Stop 24 has been providing E15 since their opening in July.
The A-Stop locations are currently able to provide E15 year-round through an exemption provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the State of Nebraska to conduct testing that assesses the effects of E15 on vehicle performance, fuel economy and emissions control systems.
“E15 is the most tested fuel ever,” said Bruntz. “President Trump’s announcement is a win for corn farmers, the rural economy, motorists and anybody that likes to breathe clean air.”