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Alternative Fuels

Agland has long been supporting alternative fuels in Colorado, and was among the first to introduce E-85 in the convenience store environment. Adding to our list of alternative fuel options, we now provide and deliver Agland Biodiesel to commercial and fleet customers.

E-85

Available at the pumps at Agland's 16th Street Plaza convenience store in Greeley, E-85 (85% Ethanol) is a high octane, liquid, domestic and renewable fuel, produced by the fermentation of plant sugars. In the United States, ethanol is typically produced from corn and other grain products, although in the future it may be economically produced from other biomass resources such as agricultural and forestry wastes or specially grown energy crops.

• E-85 has an octane of approximately 105.
• E-85 sells for approximately the same price as unleaded gasoline.
• Ethanol reduces the incidence of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Ethanol is domestically produced and promotes energy independence.
• Ethanol production increases the value of feed grains grown by farmers.
• Ethanol is biodegradable and does not contaminate water.
• Ethanol can be produced from a number of different feedstocks including paper and agricultural waste.

Several auto manufacturers currently produce vehicles that can be operated on E85 fuels: Daimler Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Isuzu, Mazda, Mercedes, and Mercury. If your car is a Flexible Fuel Vehicle, you can fill up with E-85 today with no modifications to your vehicle. E-85-ready, Flexible Fuel Vehicles are sold off the lot, ready to use E-85, or any blend of E-85 and unleaded fuel. Visit the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition's website for an up-to-date list of E85 flexible-fuel vehicles. Please refer to your vehicle's owners manual before fueling with E-85.

Agland BioDiesel

Biodiesel is a completely natural, renewable fuel applicable in most any situation where conventional petroleum diesel is used. Even though "diesel" is part of its name, there are no petroleum or other fossil fuels in biodiesel. Biodiesel is 100% vegetable oil based.

Currently biodiesel is produced mainly from field crop oils throughout Europe. The fuel can also be produced from recycled cooking oil. Biodiesel has not been widely marketed or available in the U.S. Agland has been developing our Bio Diesel program since the summer of 2003. Customers interested in Bio Diesel include federal, state and municipal governments, as well as private businesses with small to medium size diesel fleets.

In the past decade, biodiesel has been gaining worldwide popularity as an alternative energy source because of its many benefits. Besides the huge landfill reduction benefits, this environment-friendly fuel reduces tailpipe emissions, visible smoke and noxious odors. It operates well in a conventional diesel engine with very few or no engine modifications, and can also be used in a blend with conventional diesel while still achieving substantial reductions in emissions. Because biodiesel is non-toxic, biodegradable and non-flammable, handling and storage are safer than conventional petroleum diesel fuel. And, the cost is competitive with diesel.

For more information on biodiesel, visit the National Biodiesel Board at http://www.biodiesel.org/.

CHS Cooperatives & Magellan Midstream Partners, LLC partner up for Biodiesel Plant

In response to the growing demand for Biodiesel, CHS Cooperatives and Magellan Midstream Partners, LLC partnered up to install a biodiesel blending system at the Magellan, Aurora Petroleum Terminal. This state of the art blending system makes biodiesel available to customers throughout Colorado. Customers may request blends up to 20%. The plant was opened on January 21, 2008 with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Senator Ken Salazar who commended CHS and Magellan for their leadership in developing a leading biodiesel injection solution that improves the future, quality and opportunity for biomass transportation fuels.

For more information about our alternative fuels, contact the Petroleum Division directly.