This week, we travel to Minnesota’s Second Congressional District which includes Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Shakopee and parts of St Paul.

While there aren’t any ethanol plants in this district, the industry is still well represented by 20 vendor companies that support the industry and over 60 gas stations that offer higher blends of ethanol.

Among the services these vendor companies provide the ethanol industry include: financial services, systems and processes that meet regulations, fuel marketing, water treatment, solid-liquid separation solutions, plant maintenance, mechanical and electrical services, transportation services, enzymes and thermal oxydizers.

Some of the companies providing these services include Allied Valve, BASF Enzymes, Bolton Menk, Compeer Financial, DowCo Valve Company, Lodermeier, Miller Mechanical Specialties, Nalco Water, Polar and Wayne Transports.

Apart from vendor companies, as mentioned above, there are plenty of stations – 69 to be exact – in the district that offer higher blends of ethanol. Of these stations, 46 offer E15.

It's important to note that out of the 69 stations that offer higher blends of ethanol in this district, 29 of them only began doing so in the last 12 months. This means those stations made significant investments such as construction and the installation of new tanks and dispensers to offer fuels such as E15. These investments, in turn, support jobs and boost the economy in Minnesota.    

Picture Caption : Hennen's Minnoco In Shakopee