Ethanol

The Buick Lucerne has consistently delivered more of what customers demand from a premium full-size sedan: more technology as well as more comfort, convenience and safety and security features. Enhancements for 2009 include more standard content and a more powerful V-6 engine in CX and CXL models that can operate on E85 ethanol.

2009 Buick Lucerne CXL Special Edition

Lucerne models for 2009 are the CX, CXL and the top-of-the-line Super, introduced mid-year 2008.

ATLANTA, 2008-06-06 – All models of the 2009 Cadillac Escalade will be able to run on either ordinary gasoline or E85 ethanol, or any combination of the two, General Motors announced Friday. And customers will have the fueling choice at no additional cost.

The Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade EXT and Cadillac Escalade ESV as well as the GMC Denali, join the previously announced 2009 Chevrolet HHR, Buick Lucerne and Hummer H2 and Hummer H2 SUT as additions to GM’s industry-leading flex-fuel lineup .

2008-05-21 -- Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, ethanol refiner and driver of the Corvette Z06 Indy 500 pace car powered by E85 Ethanol for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500, Emerson Fittipaldi participated in the third annual Ethanol Summit and panel discussion held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 22, 2008.

Participants in the Ethanol Summit included:

* Joie Chitwood, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Welcome to the Speedway
* Andy Miller, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (Taped remarks for broadcast) - Indiana Ethanol Industry

Omaha, Neb., May 2008 – The following is a statement by Toni Nuernberg, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC):

"The total global increase in corn-based ethanol production accounts for only 3 percent of the recent increase in global food prices. This according to a statement from Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer in which he noted ethanol is not having a “major” impact on food prices.

After the hype, hysteria and spin of the ongoing “food and fuel” debate, these facts from the Council of Economic Advisors provide further proof the ethanol industry has been made a scapegoat for global issues beyond our control.

Ability to Use Cleaner, Renewable Fuel Offered at No Cost to Customer

ALEXANDRIA, Va. 2008-04-17 - The 2009 Buick Lucerne sedan will join General Motors' industry-leading lineup of flex-fuel vehicles that can run on either ordinary gasoline or E85, or any combination of the two, GM Vice President of Environment, Energy and Safety Policy Beth Lowery said Thursday.

E85 Ethanol-Capable 2009 Buick Lucerne

The Lucerne, the first flex-fuel capable Buick passenger car, will be among more than 15 GM models with flex-fuel capability in 2009, up from 11 offerings this year.

Oshawa, ON, Tuesday, February 26, 2008 – General Motors of Canada welcomes the federal budget measures announced today to help increase the availability of green E85 ethanol bio-fuel at fuel stations across Canada. General Motors Canada currently offers 12 different E85 Ethanol flexible fuel model choices (vehicles that can seamlessly run on fuel containing up to 85% ethanol or regular gasoline). According to Natural Resources Canada’s GHGenius study, net CO2 emissions from vehicles using E85 Ethanol Bio-fuels are 47-55% lower than using regular gasoline.

New Data Proves Biobutanol Can Increase the Blending of Biofuels in Gasoline Beyond the Current 10 Percent Limit for Ethanol

HAMBURG, Germany, Feb. 14, 2008 -- DuPont (NYSE:DD) and BP (NYSE:BP) have announced that the partnership to develop and commercialize biobutanol is targeting advanced metabolic pathways for 1-butanol as well as other higher octane biobutanol isomers. The companies also announced that testing of these advanced biofuels demonstrates the use of biobutanol can increase the blending of biofuels in gasoline beyond the current 10 percent limit for ethanol without compromising performance.

St. Joseph, Mo., February 8, 2008 – LifeLine Foods, a pioneer in the production of food and energy, will join forces with the IndyCar® Series for the 2008 season as the official supplier of the 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol used in all IndyCar Series cars. The St. Joseph, Mo. facility was contracted by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) to supply approximately 120,000 gallons of the fuel to the IndyCar Series. With the transition to an ethanol-blend in 2006 and then 100% fuel-grade ethanol in 2007, the IndyCar Series was the first motorsports league to require use of a renewable fuel.

Ecotec four-cylinder engines to join industry-leading FlexFuel lineup

2008-02-06, CHICAGO - The 2009 Chevrolet HHR small SUV will become the first four-cylinder model in General Motors Corp.'s North American lineup that can run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol.

GM North America President Troy Clarke unveiled the FlexFuel Chevy HHR today during a speech at the Midwest Automotive Media Association breakfast, which opened press days for the Chicago Auto Show.

"We will continue to make more of our lineup FlexFuel-capable because we believe ethanol, and specifically E85, is the best near-term answer to reduce our nation's dependence on oil as energy demand rises here and around the world," Clarke said.

Phoenix, Jan. 30, 2007 — Western States Petroleum, Arizona’s leader in biodiesel delivery, has become the first Phoenix retailer to offer E85, 85 percent ethanol 15 percent petroleum, to a growing number of flexible-fuel vehicle owners who wish to fuel with the cleaner burning, domestically produced fuel at its site at 450 S. 15th Ave.

Western States Petroleum Inc. is proud to once again lead the way in the greater Phoenix area by offering E85 ethanol. The good news is it’s just in time for the Super Bowl, which means all those flex-fuel vehicles arriving in the state have a place to fuel with cleaner burning domestically produced fuel. “It’s a win win for everyone,” said Bob Kec, owner of Western States Petroleum.

Winner receives $10,000 cash prize and airing of commercial during the
2008 Indianapolis 500

Omaha, Neb., January 29, 2008 – Consumers can educate consumers about America’s energy options by participating in the “Fuel the Change” video contest sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). Beginning January 28, 2008, entrants can submit a :30 second video tonline. The producer of the winning video will receive a $10,000 cash prize and have the chance to have his or her commercial aired during the 2008 Indianapolis 500® on ABC.

Sebring, Fla., January 29, 2008 – In a technological breakthrough in both the renewable fuels arena and racing, KL Process Design Group (KL) of Rapid City, SD, will supply the American Le Mans Series with cellulosic E85 racing ethanol for the 2008 season. The fuel, produced from waste wood, will be used for the first time during the season opener — Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 15, 2008. Consumer E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Cellulosic ethanol is produced from biomass such as wood waste, switchgrass or citrus. Corvette Racing will be the first team to use the cellulosic-based flex-fuel ethanol in competition.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 22, 2008 –Ford Motor Company announced today it is adding three additional vehicles to its E-85 flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) line-up for the 2009 model year -- Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator full size sports utility vehicles and Ford E-Series full size van and wagon. These latest entrants are yet another example of Ford’s aggressive plan to bring more products that customers want and need to market faster.

Chevrolet Factory Team to Demonstrate Performance and Environmental Benefits of E85 Ethanol in 12-Race Series

2008-01-15, DETROIT - Corvette Racing will be powered by E85 ethanol, a high-octane, renewable alternative fuel, in the 2008 American Le Mans Series. As part of the series' "green racing" initiative, the most successful team in ALMS history will use a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline in the demanding arena of endurance road racing.

After winning its seventh consecutive GT1 manufacturers and team championships in 2007 using E10 (10 percent ethanol), Corvette Racing's twin Compuware C6.R race cars will make the transition to E85 for the 2008 season.

Process Makes Ethanol from Renewables Including Trash and Old Tires

2008-01-13, DETROIT – General Motors announced a partnership Sunday with Coskata Inc. to use the company’s breakthrough technology that affordably and efficiently makes ethanol from practically any renewable source, including garbage, old tires and plant waste.

Coskata, which was formally introduced at GM’s opening press conference at the North American International Auto Show, uses a proprietary process that leverages patented microorganisms and bioreactor designs to produce ethanol for less than $1 a gallon, about half of today’s cost of producing gasoline.

DOE Announces over $1 Billion in Biofuels R&D Projects this Year

December 4, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC – DOE Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today announced the selection of four biofuels projects in which DOE plans to invest up to $7.7 million. These projects will demonstrate the thermochemical conversion process of turning grasses, stover, the non-edible portion of crops and other materials into biofuel. Combined with today’s announcement, just this calendar year, DOE has announced over $1 billion in funding for biofuels research and development (multi-year funding) projects.

2007-11-30 -- GM Statement from Alan Adler, manager, Biofuels Communications:

The cost-benefit analysis of E85 ethanol prepared by the Pardee Rand Graduate School and cited in the Friday, Nov. 30 edition of USA Today fails to take into account several positive factors of the renewable fuel made from 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

E85 is not yet widely available in the United States – less than 1 percent of fueling stations offer it today – and prices vary widely. Some gasoline stations peg the price of E85 to gasoline, so when gasoline goes up or down in price, E85 rides with it. Elsewhere, especially in regions where ethanol is more widely available, the price of E85 is as much as a dollar a gallon less.

2007-11-14 -- Chevrolet, which commands the industry’s highest fuel economy in full-size pickup trucks and SUVs, is committed to achieving fuel economy and environmental technology leadership in every segment in which it competes. To do this, Chevy is incorporating improvements to the internal combustion engine such as Active Fuel Management, along with six-speed transmissions; gas-electric hybrids and, in the future, electrically driven vehicles.

Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Sponsors the May 13 Appearance

Las Vegas, NV, November 5, 2007 - The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVi) is pleased to announce that legendary American open-wheel racing star, Bobby Rahal, is to keynote the 14th annual Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo on May 13, 2008. The championship driver and racing team owner will share his passion for the industry as he addresses 2000 attendees at the AFVi’s annual conference, May 11-14 at the Rio All Suites Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Few Cite Increased Ethanol Production as a Factor

Washington, D.C. (Oct. 29, 2007) – According to a new national poll set for full release tomorrow, Americans believe that higher oil prices, increasing demand for beef, pork, chicken and other food items in China and other parts of the world, and drought are the main reasons behind the increasing price of food. One of the least cited causes was the increased use of ethanol.

The poll found that 46 percent of Americans believe rising oil prices is the number one cause of increasing food costs, followed by 15 percent citing increasing global demand. By contrast, just 7 percent of respondents believe increased ethanol production is the most important cause.