HONOLULU -- Aloha Petroleum Ltd. last week delivered the state's first supply of E85 fuel (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). The fuel was delivered to Marine Corps Base Hawaii for use in more than 70 of its flex-fuel vehicles. While E85 has been available on the Mainland since the early 1990s, this is the first time the fuel has been made available on a commercial scale in Hawaii.
"Last week's delivery is a significant milestone for the state of Hawaii and Aloha Petroleum," said Richard Parry, Aloha Petroleum president and CEO. "We've been working with the U.S. [image-nocss] Department of Defense for the last three years on various alternative fuel projects. We're pleased to be the first Hawaii petroleum company to commit the necessary resources to supply the military with E85. We believe that the new E85 station at Marine Corps Base Hawaii will help pave the way for wider use of E85 in the Islands."
Aloha Petroleum has supplied fuels to the military through the Defense Energy Support Center contract for a decade. With the E85 contract, Aloha Petroleum will be help MCB Hawaii achieve its energy goals. The E85 will be provided to MCB Hawaii through Dec. 31, 2012.
"As always, we are excited to lead the way in conservation, and it is a great privilege to have the first shipment of E85 come to our base. The use of E85 alternative fuel along with 70 fuel-flex vehicles, three hybrids and 20 electric carts will drive MCBH's carbon footprint lower and decrease our reliance on imported oil," said Colonel Robert Rice, Commanding Officer at MCB Hawaii. "Furthermore, the use of E85 and flex-fuel vehicles supports our base goals of reducing energy consumption by 10% by next summer and supports the HQMC mandated gasoline reduction goals."
E85 is just one of the renewable fuel options currently available for bulk purchase from Aloha Petroleum. The company also supplies B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel.
Flex-fuel vehicles manufactured by Ford, General Motors and DaimlerChrysler have been specifically designed to run on E85. Nearly eight million of these vehicles are currently cruising U.S. highways, with more than 15,000 in Hawaii, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Aloha Petroleum is an independently owned and locally operated petroleum marketer and convenience store operator, with a history in Hawaii that dates back to the early 1900s. It employs approximately 380 Hawaii residents, and operates more than 50 fueling locations on Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii.
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