"We are very excited about the expansion of E85 fuel in our stores," said Matt Thornton, chief executive officer of Thorntons. "We support the use of ethanol, wherever it is economically available."
Thorntons has become a part of Growth [image-nocss] Energy's 2010 E85 and Blender Pump Program, in which funds are provided to retailers to establish mid- and high-level blend infrastructure throughout the country. More than 60 new mid- and high-level blend sites have been provided financial support in 2010.
"It's exciting to know that Thorntons, one of the largest gasoline retailers, is working to establish such a large network of E85 fueling stations," said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. "We are delighted to collaborate with them and commend Thorntons on their leadership of promoting this clean-burning alternative fuel."
E85 locations working to be established within the next few months at Thorntons Convenience Stores in the following areas:
Island Lake, Volo, Lakemoor, Third Lake and Woodale, Ill. Terre Haute, Evansville and Greenwood, Ind. Lexington and Louisville, Ky. Galloway, Columbus (2), Canal Winchester, Cincinnati (2), Hamilton and Fairfield, Ohio. Lebanon, Tenn. "We are pleased to partner with Growth Energy on the expansion and promotion, and appreciate their financial support of the expansion of our E85 fuel offerings," added Thornton.
In early February, Thorntons added E-85 fuel at a store located in New Albany, Ind. Thorntons had nine locations throughout the company with E-85 fuel at that time; four in Illinois, two in Indiana, two in Kentucky and one in Tennessee. (Click here for previous CSP Daily News coverage.)
Jefferson City, Mo.-based Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America's economy through cleaner, greener energy. Members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and creating American jobs at home, it said.
Louisville, Ky.-based Thorntons is a leading independent gasoline/convenience retailer, marketing throughout the Midwest under the brand name of Thorntons QuickCafe & Market. It is Kentucky's largest privately held company, with more than $1.4 billion in annual revenue. The company operates 161 gasoline/c-stores, one travel plaza and seven car washes. It also distributes petroleum products through the wholly owned Thornton Transportation Co. and operates a river bulk storage terminal in Louisville.
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