Plans for flex-fuel pump project fall through

In July this year, the US Department of Energy approved a proposal from the state of Kansas to install a number of flex-fuel ethanol pumps at 38 sites belonging to the convenience store chain QuikTrip.

Under the proposal, the state and local company Ethanol Products were to form a partnership and invest $5 million (€3.6 million) and $10 million respectively in the installation of these pumps.

However, the companies have decided to pull out of the project but stress the move is related to uncertain future regulations and not funding issues.

Instead, Kansas is planning to invest the $20.5 million of government funding into two other renewable projects. $15.6 million will be used to be acquire biomethane digester equipment that will be installed in Western Plains Energy's Oakley-based plant. The additional $4.9 million will be spent on biomass harvesting operations.