SALEM, Ore. -- Starting January 15, gas stations in nine counties in northwestern Oregon are required to sell a blended fuel that is 10% ethanol, reported that Associated Press. The rest of the state will join them over the next nine months in a phased-in implementation of the state's new renewable fuel standards.
Gas station owners and the inspectors who will ensure compliance are getting ready for the change.
Under a law passed this year by the legislature, the renewable fuel standard for ethanol kicks in when Oregon's ethanol production has the capacity to reach 40 million gallons [image-nocss] a year. The state achieved that goal this summer when Pacific Ethanol began producing at the Port of Morrow.
The blended fuel is now mandatory in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Yamhill, Polk and Marion counties. Portland had its own requirement for ethanol-blended fuel already in place. By April 15, Linn, Lane, Benton, Lincoln, Douglas, Coos, Jackson, Josephine, and Curry counties will join the effort. Finally, by September 16, all counties east of the Cascades will complete the full statewide implementation.
Advocates of blending gasoline with ethanol say it helps the environment, reduces dependency on foreign oil and, hopefully, will drop the price of motor fuel.
Another large-scale ethanol plant is planned at Clatskanie, according to the report. Between the two plants, the majority of ethanol needed to supply the state eventually could come from local production. Other ethanol plants are on the drawing board at the Port of Morrow and in Stanfield, AP added.
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