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HWRT, RFA Announce First-Ever Offering of Pre-blended E15 at Wholesale Terminals

July 19, 2016

           

WASHINGTON — The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is pleased to announce that HWRT Oil Company will become the first company in the United States to offer pre-blended E15 at the terminal level. The development is a game changer that can rapidly open the market for E15 in the Midwest. Beginning Sept. 16, HWRT will include E15 in its slate of product offerings at terminals located in Hartford, Illinois; North Little Rock, Arkansas; Norris City, Illinois; and Seymour, Indiana. RFA has been working with HWRT on a number of issues related to offering E15 at the terminal, including regulatory compliance, participation in the EPA's required fuel survey, and adoption of RFA's Misfueling Mitigation Plan (MMP). To date, retailers across the country interested in offering E15 have not had access to the fuel at their local fuel terminals. As a result, retailers have offered E15 by diluting a higher ethanol blend (like E85) with regular unleaded, a process that takes additional storage and equipment. This announcement will allow retailers with existing compatible equipment to immediately begin offering E15 to consumers with vehicles manufactured in 2001 or subsequent years, along with all flex fuel vehicles (FFVs). "HWRT was one of the very first terminals in the country to offer automated ethanol blending at the terminal rack, so the move to E15 is a natural progression for our company. We have over 30 years of experience blending ethanol, and we look forward to helping our customers experience the benefits E15 can offer," said HWRT President Matt Schrimpf. "HWRT greatly appreciates the RFA's leadership and assistance as we move to debut E15, and we look forward to offering this new alternative fuel option at our four terminals." "This development is a game changer that can help expand the market for E15 almost overnight. HWRT's leadership will give thousands of retailers in multiple states access to a new fuel option, one that consumers are embracing quickly where available," said RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White. "Offering E15 at the terminal level provides new opportunities for retailers and greater choice for consumers. We thank HWRT for their groundbreaking efforts, and look forward to working with them throughout this endeavor and on future ones surrounding E15 and other ethanol blends. After four years in the marketplace, E15 has just found prime time." The Hartford, Illinois, terminal is especially notable as it provides reformulated gasoline (RFG) with low volatility to the St. Louis market. That means the terminal will have E15 available that meets EPA volatility requirements year-round, and retailers served by the terminal will be able to sell E15 all year without interruption. HWRT plans to eventually expand the E15 offering to 17 additional terminals where the company holds positions. This means E15 will be offered at the terminal level in a total of seven states. RFA will immediately begin working with interested retailers serviced by the four HWRT-owned terminals to assist them with the transition to offering E15 at retail. More information about HWRT Oil Company is available at www.HWRTOil.com.