Time for Big Oil to give up power over choice

By Jim Becthold

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Linn Co-op Oil Company is prepared to sell E15 - 15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline - to our customers who own 2001 and newer vehicles. In fact, we'd like to be selling E15 today, making Linn Co-op the first E15 retailer in the entire country selling to such vehicle owners.

We have received the official approval letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certifying that Linn Co-op has met all the requirements, and we have complied with all state E15 regulations. Linn Co-Op is one of only five retailers receiving such approval. But to date, no E15 has been sold for 2001 and newer models.

There is no doubt our customers would love the option of E15 as it is lower-cost, more home grown, and approved by the EPA for 2001 and newer cars. So, why aren't we selling E15 and helping families save money?

In reality, that choice lies with the Big Oil companies, not us. Typically, our customers don't need to worry about where Linn Co-op gets its fuel - that's our job. But today I'm asking you to take a minute to look past our fuel pump all the way to the beginning of the petroleum pipeline. Because decisions there are impacting and limiting your homegrown fuel choices here.

In a nutshell, federal regulations during the summer months - June 1 through September 15 - require a gasoline blendstock for E15 that is different from the gasoline blended to produce the traditional E10. So if refiners, who control what goes into the pipelines that ultimately supply the Marion and Cedar Rapids area, refuse to provide Iowa with the gasoline necessary for blending with E15, then Linn Co-op can't offer it and you can't buy it. This dictatorial control over our gas tanks only further erodes our ability to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and goes against everything we celebrate on our Independence Day every year.

I'm frustrated that Linn Co-op customers and all Iowans are being denied freedom of choice at the pump by a petroleum distribution monopoly. The Co-op could send a tanker truck to pick up the fuel at an out-of-state terminal in Kansas City or Chicago, but the added transportation costs would wipe out the E15 price savings.

The oil refiners have you and me over a barrel - an oil barrel. We need independence from the petroleum distribution monopoly. The refiners and politicians need to know we won't stand for it.

I want to leave you with some good news. From Sept. 16 through May 30, the federal regulations allow the same gasoline to be used to blend both E10 and E15. The petroleum distribution monopoly can't stop us then and Linn Co-op will be ready to sell E15 on Sept. 17. I ask our customers to be patient until then.

Big Oil has decided it must maintain its century-old control over the fuel market. On this Independence Day holiday week, commit to ensuring that Big Oil's power over your fuel choices will not stand.

Jim Becthold is Service Manager at Linn Co-Op Oil Company in Marion. Comments: jbecthold@linncoop.com