Thursday, June 21, 2007
Governor Culver, Lt. Governor Judge Promote Greater E-85 Use
Governor Signs Third Executive Order to Increase State Government E-85 Usage
(Des Moines) Today, Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge joined with officials from the Department of Administrative Services and the American Lung Association at the “Kicking the Oil Addiction” workshop to encourage greater E-85 usage in state government and across the state.
“Iowa is the leader in Biofuels production, and now we must be the leader in Biofuels use,” said Governor Culver. “That work begins here in state government. Through the Department of Administrative Services, we have begun the process of purchasing more flex fuel vehicles -- demonstrating our commitment to this clean burning fuel and our ethanol industry.”
The Governor has been a proponent of E-85 for years, including using an E-85 flex-fuel vehicle in throughout his 2006 campaign. As part of the event, the Governor signed his third executive order to establish a goal for usage of E-85 in state-owned flex fuel vehicles.
“Many state employees who drive these cars are not filling them up with E-85, even when it is readily available. Instead they are choosing to use E-10 or even regular unleaded,” said the Governor. “This is unacceptable. As representatives of a government that has committed itself to promoting renewable energy, our employees must use E-85 whenever possible. And to ensure this happens, I am proud to issue Executive Order #3”
This order sets a goal of 60% E-85 usage in state government flex-fuel vehicles by 2009, and orders the new Office of Energy Independence to work with the Department of Administrative Services to develop ways to achieve this new objective.
Also at the workshop, Lt. Governor Patty Judge discussed how E-85 helps air quality.
“We must take steps now to help reduce the amount of toxins in our air, so people with lung disease and breathing problems can live happier and fuller lives,” said the Lt. Governor. “There is a simple, and easy, way to do this – use E-85. A typical driver who uses e-85 instead of traditional unleaded gasoline can prevent more than 4 tons of carbon dioxide emitted into the environment each year. 4 tons each year. This means less toxins in our air; and cleaner, healthier lives for all of us.”
For more information on E-85 use, availability and benefits, please visit www.cleanairchoice.org.