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Beebe pumps own gas to promote biofuel Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008 By John Lyon Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Taking on a task usually performed for him by others, Gov. Mike Beebe pumped his own gas Monday at a downtown Little Rock gas station during an event promoting biofuel. Beebe was one of about 60 people who filled their tanks with E-85 ethanol, a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, at Go Green Biofuels while the station was offering the fuel at the reduced price of $1.85 for two hours Monday. "When was the last time you saw $1.85?" Beebe said as reporters gathered around the pump to watch the governor fill the tank of his state-owned Chevrolet Suburban, a flex-fuel vehicle that can run on gasoline or ethanol. Beebe squeezed the trigger on the gas nozzle after it was placed in the SUV's tank for him. He said he does not usually pump his own gas these days because he is not the one doing the driving. "But honestly, I know how," Beebe said. Before Monday's temporary price drop, the station was charging $3.35 for a gallon of E-85, which Beebe noted was still lower than the price of gasoline. The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Arkansas on Monday was $3.61, according to AAA Arkansas. E-85 can only be used in vehicles designed to run on it, but Go Green Biofuels owner Buddy Rawls said his station also sells biofuels that can be used in any vehicle designed to run on gasoline or diesel, at prices comparable to gasoline and diesel prices. The station has been open since October 2006 and has been selling E-85 for about a month. Rawls said he benefited from a program approved by the Legislature last year that allows biofuel retailers to receive grants of up to $50,000 to install equipment. Customers who have made the switch to E-85 seem to like it, Rawls said. "There can be a mileage penalty in using E-85, but I've had people tell me that they have burned both and can't tell any difference," he said. E-85 is also available at stations in Carlisle, Lexa, Lonoke and Wynne. Beebe said he hopes to see it become more widely available across the state. Little Rock firefighter Ritchie Hudson of Roland, who fueled up shortly after Beebe, said he used to put gasoline into his flex-fuel Chevrolet Silverado pickup but switched to E-85 last month after learning it was available at Rawls' station. He said he has noticed no difference in mileage or power, but he has noticed a difference in one area. "It's a lot easier on the wallet," he said. |
