The first E-85 station in Maryland recently opened in Laurel.  The Maryland Grain Producers worked with the local Chevron station and the U.S. Department of Energy, which provided funding, to provide E85 fuel to the public.  The Maryland station is just the second E-85 station in the mid-Atlantic area.  Federal vehicles in and around Washington, D.C. have been able to fill-up with E85 at a Citgo Station adjacent to the Pentagon since last year.  Additional Maryland E85 locations are in the planning stages for Annapolis, Gaithersburg, and Baltimore.

"The events of September 11th opened our eyes once again to the real cost of relying on foreign oil for our energy needs," stated Robert Hutchison, member of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board.  "We are very encouraged by the opening of this E85 station.  This is the beginning of Maryland's ethanol industry.  As this alternative fuel becomes available in more locations, consumers will look more closely at the many commercially available vehicles that can run on E85 when making their vehicle purchases."