INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -– Senate lawmakers today approved a bill that could increase the use of E85 – a blend of 15 percent petroleum-based gasoline and 85 percent ethanol – on campuses and school grounds throughout the state.
House Bill 1193, sponsored by State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette), now heads to Gov. Mitch Daniels’ desk after today’s 48-2 Senate approval.
According to Indiana’s office of Energy and Defense Development, E85 is a clean burning, high octane fuel that is derived from renewable sources produced in the United States, thus reducing the nation’s demand on foreign sources of energy. E85 decreases the harmful emissions found in gasoline while increasing the fuel’s octane rating.
“Currently, retailers and local governments can receive grants to invest in E85 pumps and fuel tanks,” Alting said. “This legislation would allow school corporations and universities to also receive grants so they can install E85 fuel tanks on campuses.”
Alting said by increasing the availability of E85 on school grounds and campuses, more flex fuel and biodiesel vehicles could be included in the fleets used to transport students and driven by faculty.
Alting said since grants became available last year, more than $135,000 has been provided to various businesses like Crystal Flash Petroleum in Marion County and Family Express Corp. in LaPorte County.
“As one of the country’s largest producers of corn and soybeans – products used to create biofuels – the Hoosier state has an innate responsibility to be one of the nation’s leaders in promoting the sale and use of renewable fuels,” Alting said.
Indiana currently offers tax breaks and incentives for those who produce and/or use biofuels. Funding for these grants comes from corn check-off funds and has no cost to Indiana taxpayers.
According to Indiana’s office of Energy and Defense Development, E85 is a clean burning, high octane fuel that is derived from renewable sources produced in the United States, thus reducing the nation’s demand on foreign sources of energy. E85 decreases the harmful emissions found in gasoline while increasing the fuel’s octane rating.
Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes a portion of Tippecanoe County.
