Fuel site should lure motorists to Athens

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November 5, 2007

Anonymous The News Courier Mon Nov 05, 2007, 10:12 AM CST

Adding alternative fuel stations in Alabama is not only conservation minded but helps foster the image of the state as forward-thinking.

At the time of Gov. Bob Riley’s announcement Wednesday that four alternative fuel sites will be built along Interstate 65, including one in Athens on U.S. 72 West, Alabama was one of 13 states that had no public-access stations selling alternative fuel (the state currently has two government sites that provide alternative fuel for military use).

With more than 90,000 Alabamians and 5 million Americans driving flexible fuel vehicles, it’s time someone provided fuel to put in them. According to the Department of Energy, many Americans do not know the cars and trucks they drive were manufactured to use either gas or E85, an ethanol-gasoline mixture.

A partial list of common models can be found in a story the front page of today’s edition and a full list can be found at http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.html

Without easy access to E85, drivers of the vehicles cannot take advantage of that option. As stations are added across the country, environmentally minded people will begin to use E85 and lessen our country’s reliance on foreign energy sources.

Riley announced E85 and biodiesel will be offered at stations in Athens, Cullman, Vestavia Hills and Mobile to add to the corridor of stations along Interstate 65.

While Athens officials were surprised by Riley’s announcement and cannot say what impact the site will have after it opens in April, it will surely draw at least a few motorists to Athens who would not have come here otherwise.

As the “front door” to the interstate, it only makes Athenians more hospitable if we can offer whatever our visitors may need.

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