11/01/07 First of what may be many E-85 outlets in western Washington

Washington Ag November 1, 2007 Flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on gasoline or 85 percent ethanol, E-85, now have a station to fill up at in both eastern and western Washington. A station in Richland has been selling E-85 and this week US Ethanol and distributor Wilcox & Flegel Oil Company held a grand opening for a Biofuel station in Longview. US Ethanol vice president Tawni Camarillo says that is just the first of many Biofuel stations the company plans for selling its branded E-85 fuel. Camarillo: "We plan to kick off at least 25 locations along the I-5 corridor between Washington and Oregon state." That is planned for the next two to five years. As for the demand for E-85; Camarillo: "Well within the states of Oregon and Washington, registered, there are roughly 200-thousand flex-fuel vehicles. I believe this is the largest numbers in the states here." The US Ethanol Biofuel station also sells gasolines with 10 percent ethanol and B5 biodiesel. A subsidiary, Northwest Renewables, is building an ethanol plant in Longview that will bring in corn from the Midwest but may also purchase some feedstock locally. By the way, that E-85 in Longview was selling for $2.19 a gallon. I'm Bob Hoff.