Public-Private Funded Three-Alternative Fuel Station Opens in Gloucester County
Congressman Wittman attends the Grand Opening of Phillips Energy Alternative Fuel Station Featuring B20 Biodiesel, E85 Ethanol and Propane Autogas
Hayes, VA (October 8, 2010) – Phillips Energy, Inc., is celebrating the growth of domestically produced alternative fuels in the Commonwealth at the Grand Opening of the new and open-to-the-public Phillips Energy fueling station today. This new public 24-hour fueling facility will include B20 biodiesel, E85 ethanol, and propane Autogas as well as gasoline and diesel. The facility will be the first privately owned station in the Commonwealth of Virginia to dispense three different alternative fuels, and was partially through a Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program grant.
Each of these alternative fuels can be produced domestically, creating American jobs here in Virginia. E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, and can be used in any of the 8 million flex fuel vehicles in the United States. Biodiesel can be produced from domestic resources such as soybeans and canola. Propane Autogas, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a byproduct of domestic natural gas processing and crude oil refining.
“With innovations like alternative fuels and new fueling stations like Phillips Energy, Virginia is on track to become the Energy Capitol of the East Coast,” said Governor Bob McDonnell. “I commend Phillips Energy for leading the way toward the use of clean fuels that can be produced in the United States and create jobs right here in the Commonwealth.”
“This station is indicative of the proactive approach that is needed to bring us closer to an energy future that thrives on clean, domestically produced fuels,” said Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1). “Phillips Energy has proven that it is willing to be a leader in attaining this goal.”
Congressman Wittman will attend the Grand Opening, which will feature E85 fuel for $0.85 per gallon from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The event will also feature vehicle displays with opportunities to ride and drive more than a dozen alternative fuel vehicles.
“Phillips Energy feels it is our duty as an energy service provider to be thinking ahead, and doing our part to make alternative fuels and vehicles more available and accessible to the public,” said John Phillips, President of Philips Energy, Inc. “Through our work with Virginia Clean Cities and various other stakeholders over the years, we feel proud of our accomplishments and are ready to start seeing public demand increase for alternatives to imported energy resources.”
Virginia Clean Cities: http://www.hrccc.org/
Virginia Clean Cities is a government-industry partnership designed to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector by advancing the use of alternative fuels and vehicles, idle reduction technologies, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel blends, and fuel economy.
Phillips Energy:http://www.phillipsoilandgas.com/
Founded in 1946, Phillips Energy, Inc. serves as a full energy service provider to commercial and residential customers in the upper Tidewater area of Virginia. Phillips’ functions as one of the area’s only providers of heating oil, on and off-road diesel fuels, gasoline, propane, kerosene, lubricant’s and now biodiesel, ethanol and propane autogas.
###