Lt. Governor Lee Fisher and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Robert Boggs announced recently that Ohio is one of only ten states selected to receive technical support from General Motors Corporation (GM) to advance Ohio’s E-85 infrastructure. Under the terms of the partnership, which was supported by the National Governors Association (NGA), GM will help Ohio determine optimal locations for E-85 pump locations.

E-85 is an alternative fuel consisting of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. GM is one of several automobile manufacturers producing flex-fuel vehicles, which are designed to run on either E-85 or gasoline.

“We are pleased to collaborate with the National Governors Association and GM on this important project,” said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as the State Development Director. “By strengthening Ohio’s E-85 infrastructure, we are providing all Ohio consumers with more choices that will ultimately save them money at the gas pump and reduce the carbon emissions from vehicles on our roadways while increasing the marketing opportunities for Ohio’s farmers and vehicle manufacturers.”

In 2007, the U.S. used 6.8 billion gallons of ethanol, nearly all of which was made from domestically-produced corn. Meanwhile, production of flex-fuel vehicles in the U.S. continues to grow with more than 7 million on the road today. In 2007 alone, more than 1 million were produced.

“Ohio has entered the ethanol production business full-force since January, with the opening of six ethanol plants,” said Director Boggs. “However, producing ethanol is only one part of the answer. We must also continue to work with the automotive industry toward putting more flex-fuel vehicles on our roads, and increase the commercial availability of E-85 to Ohio consumers who drive those vehicles. This partnership will support us in that effort.”

While there are currently over 1,800 E-85 refueling stations nationally, only 57 locations are available in Ohio. Under the E-85 Pump Partnership, ethanol producers and fuel infrastructure experts will work with GM to optimize the E-85 supply, and GM will also leverage its network of dealers, plants and offices to promote the use of E-85 in Ohio.