The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association has announced that Sperry One Stop in Coon Rapids is the sixth Iowa retailer to offer E15 as a registered fuel.

“This is a new station and we want to be offering the fuels of the future, and that’s cleaner-burning, American made E15,” said Sperry One Stop Owner Kurt Sperry. “With the Poet-Coon Rapids plant nearby, there’s a strong renewable fuels presence here in Coon Rapids, so offering a fuel like E15 just made sense.”

“The citizens of Coon Rapids will really benefit from renewable, less expensive options at the pump like E15,” said IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “This station is offering a variety of ethanol blends as well as biodiesel, and we see that as a win for the consumer and a win for the local economy.”

Sperry One Stop is located on Highway 141 in Coon Rapids. E15, a blend of gasoline and 15 percent ethanol, can be used by all 2001 and newer passenger vehicles and all flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).  Those vehicles account for 85 percent of fuel use in the United States.  In order to offer E15 to the non-FFVs, a retailer must register with the EPA.  IRFA works with retailers to ensure they comply with all federal and state E15 regulations.

Retailers interested in installing a blender pump to offer E15, E85, and other ethanol blends can apply for a grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture. The IRFA provides assistance in the application process. 

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 41 ethanol refineries capable of producing over 3.7 billion gallons annually, with one wet mill and two cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 315 million gallons annually.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.