USDA aims to increase flex-fuel pumps

'Renewable energy systems', as defined in the Rural Energy for America Programme (REAP), will now also include flexible fuel pumps, which the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will fund the installation of.

The new rule, which was announced by US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on 8 April 2011, is expected to encourage more installations of these 'blender pumps', which in turn will provide more motorists with biofuel options when filling up their vehicles.

Within five years 10,000 flexible fuel pumps will be installed throughout the US under the Obama administration.

Flex-fuel pumps will give Americans a choice to purchase domestically produced renewable transportation fuels,' says Vilsack. 'USDA's energy programmes are helping to build a clean energy economy, while creating green jobs at home and making our nation more energy secure in the long-term.'

In the US today, 3.2-3.5% of the 250 million vehicles on the road comprise flex-fuel cars, which can run on a blend of 85% ethanol (E85). 2,350 of the estimated 167,800 fuel stations across the nation run off biofuel-blended fuels.