NCGA Applauds Opening of Midwest Ethanol Corridor (6-29-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) welcomes the establishment of the Midwest Ethanol Corridor by VeraSun and Ford. The two companies officially opened the corridor today at a press conference in Alton, Ill.

The corridor will increase the availability of VE85, VeraSun's branded E85, with the addition of 14 new retail locations along Interstate 55 in Illinois, from St. Louis to Chicago. A second corridor from St. Louis to Kansas City along Interstate 70 will launch in a later phase.

“Corn growers are excited two influential companies like Ford and VeraSun have taken the initiative in installing the necessary infrastructure to make E85 more accessible for a public that is craving alternative sources of fuel,” said Leon Corzine, NCGA chairman. “It’s exciting to have a real commitment from the ethanol industry and auto companies to get E85 pumps in place.”

NCGA, the Illinois Corn Growers Association, the National Ethanol Vehicle coalition and the American Lung Association attended the press conference.

Ford currently offers four FFV models designed to run on E85 or gasoline—the 2006 Ford F-150, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car. The company will produce up to 250,000 FFVs this year. There are more than 5 million FFVs on the road today and more than 700 E85 pumps.

"Today's launch represents an important step toward wider accessibility of E85 for America's drivers," said Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company. "Ethanol is an energy source straight from America's farmlands. Ford, together with VeraSun, believes the corridor can help jump-start the growth of E85 as we work to address the nation's energy issues."

Ford is running an E85 promotional campaign in Missouri and Illinois. Ford FFVs owners in the corridor area will be sent informational materials, including a map highlighting the new VeraSun and other ethanol pump locations.

For more information on E85, visit www.e85fuel.com.