The use of E85 gas has been adopted by Naval District Washington as part of the mandate from Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus for use of alternative fuel vehicles and to reduce petroleum consumption.

E85 is a term that refers to high-level ethanol-gasoline blends containing 51 percent to 83 percent ethanol, depending on geography and season. It can be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are commonly available from domestic and foreign automakers.

"The key benefits of flex fuel vehicles are to reduce CO2 emission," said NDW Transportation Program Manager Frank Nguyenduc. "CO2 is a Green House Gas (GHG) and one of the top contributors to global warming. E85 vehicles have lower grams of CO2 emission per mile when compared to conventional gasoline engine vehicles. It has lower tail pipe emissions in terms of total hydrocarbons emitted when compared to a conventional gasoline engine vehicles."

The Defense Logistics Agency provides the fuel to government-only stations located in various bases around the region.

The ethanol production and distribution infrastructure across the nation continues to expand. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in early 2003, E85 was sold at approximately 154 stations in 22 states today, there are 20, 268 alternative fuel stations across the United States including E85 fuel and electric charging stations.

In the NDW area there are 16 stations that offer E85 fuel, the majority are Sunoco Gas Stations and W Express located in Annapolis, Fort George G. Meade, National Harbor and Indian Head Highway in Maryland. In the Disctrict of Columbia E85 fueling stations can be found at the corner of 3rd and U Street, Pennsylvania Ave., Rhode Island Ave., Wisconsin Ave. and Michigan Ave.

Nguyenduc encouraged personnel to make the switch to the use of alternate fuels and emphasized the importance of using them as a means to save the nation's renewable resources.

"The use of E85 is crucial to supporting our nation's renewable resources, reduce petroleum consumption and boost the Navy's energy security and independence," said Nguyenduc. "It is also required per Executive Order 13423 and Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007."

For more information about alternative fuels visit http://www.energy.gov/

For more information about the Department of the Navy's Great Green Fleet initiative visit http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/energy/great-green-fleet/

For more news from Naval District Washington, visit www.navy.mil/.

Disclaimer: the mention of the specific fueling stations in this article does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or the Department of Navy.