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At Farm
Progress Show, governor promotes continued growth of ethanol across
Illinois
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[AUG. 31, 2005]
SPRINGFIELD -- Joined by agricultural, business
and community leaders and legislators this afternoon at the Farm
Progress Show in Decatur, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich will award grants
to 30 gas stations across the state to help convert regular gas
pumps to E-85 pumps.
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E-85, an advanced hybrid
of ethanol that is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, is
between 15 and 50 cents cheaper than a gallon of regular gasoline,
saving consumers $8 to $10 every time they fill up their tanks.
According to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, there are 4.5
million E-85-compatible vehicles on U.S. roads, including various
models of the Ford Taurus, the Dodge Stratus, the Sonoma GMC pickup
and the Ford Explorer. In March of this year, Blagojevich launched
his E-85 Clean Energy Infrastructure Program, making $500,000
available to gas stations to convert pumps to E-85. About 70 gas
stations around the state offer E-85 to motorists.
Ethanol and E-85 play an increasing role in America today by
reducing dependence on oil imported from unstable regions of the
world, reducing consumer energy costs, cleaning the air and
supporting rural economic development by creating jobs and
increasing grain prices. Ethanol currently accounts for about 3
percent of the gasoline sold in America; imported oil, however, now
accounts for more than 25 percent of the national trade deficit.
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 The governor is awarding the grants at a three-day event billed
as the "Super Bowl of Agriculture." The Farm Progress Show is the
largest outdoor farm show in the county -- showcasing the latest
farming innovations, technologies, equipment, products, services and
information. More than 450 companies are participating, and hundreds
of thousands of people will attend the show, which continues through
Thursday at Richland Community College.
[News release from the governor's
office]
Farm Progress Show
information:
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