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FILE PHOTO: Gas pump with choices of various grades of gas, E85, regular, plus, or premium. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A new grant will help 44 gas stations in Minnesota add greener fuel options at the pump. 

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture grant from the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program will award more than $6.4 million to 44 service stations to offset the cost to upgrade equipment, so they’re compatible with motor fuel with higher blends of ethanol. This will allow the gas stations to offer Unleaded 88/E15, which is a fuel containing a 15% blend of ethanol and other higher blends. 

“These grants help the local economy by giving drivers more economical options at the gas pump and increasing access to homegrown fuel that comes from Minnesota farmers,” Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said in a news release on Friday. “We’re also helping our environment when we increase the use of ethanol blends that burn cleaner than fossil fuels. Thanks to the Minnesota Legislature and Minnesota Corn, we can invest in these projects that benefit all Minnesotans.”

Unleaded 88 tends to be less expensive, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps improve air quality. And it’s seeing continued sales growth in Minnesota. 

Is Unleaded 88 safe for my vehicle? 

All cars, trucks and SUVs from 2001 or newer can use Unleaded 88 fuel, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Currently, more than 415 fuel stations in Minnesota offer Unleaded 88 to consumers, MN Fuel says.

Funding for biofuels grant

Funding for the Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program was made available by the Minnesota Legislature, which appropriated money for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s AGRI Program. An additional $1 million in funding for this grant program was provided by Minnesota Corn. 

“Minnesota Corn is pleased to partner with MDA through this grant program, allowing local fueling stations to expedite upgrading their systems to dispense Unleaded 88. We work to find ways to expand access to Unleaded 88 for drivers across the state, helping Minnesotans save money at the pumps while and reduce emissions through the cleaner-burning fuel,” Minnesota Corn Promotion & Research Council Chair Doug Albin said in a statement. 

List of gas stations that received the grant

Forty-four gas stations in Minnesota received grants ranging from $83,000 to $199,000. Here’s a list of the gas stations that received grants: 

• Ag Plus Cooperative C-Store in Marshall
• Alan Arnold Corporation DBA Ralphie’s Minnoco in Elk River
• Awad Company – Olson’s Marathon in Circle Pines
• Bobby & Steve’s Auto World Eden Prairie
• Bobby & Steve’s Auto World France in Bloomington
• Bobby & Steve’s Auto World II in Minneapolis
• Bobby & Steve’s Auto World West Bloomington
• Bobby & Steve’s Auto World West Minneapolis
• Chandler Cooperative Slayton Cenex Cardtrol in Chandler
• Community Coops of Lake Park Pump 24 C-Store in Mahnomen
• DCCM Ventures DBA Pete’s Place South in Bemidji
• Emmaville Inn in Park Rapids
• Farmward Cooperative Cenex-Morgan in Morgan
• Farmward Cooperative-Springfield in Springfield
• Isaac’s North Star in Sauk Centre
• Jack’s of Watkins in Watkins
• Jeff’s Bobby & Steve’s Auto World in Columbia Heights
• Klennert Stores DBA Sunny’s in Hill City
• L&S Automotive, Inc. DBA Parkway BP in St. Paul
• Lac qui Parle Coop Oil Company Dawson Station in Dawson
• Lonsdale Food & Fuel Marketplace in Lonsdale
• Maryland Fuel & Auto in St. Paul
• Maryland One Stop Food & Fuel Marketplace in St. Paul
• My Store Bagley in Bagley
• My Store Hibbing in Hibbing
• My Store Outing in Outing
• My Store Solway in Solway
• My Store Turtle River in Bemidji
• My Store Waskish in Waskish
• Nelson Auto World – University Service in Minneapolis
• NuWay K&H Cooperative in Elmore
• Paul’s Bobby & Steve’s Auto World DBA Bobby & Steve’s Auto World Nicollet in Minneapolis
• Paynesville Farmers Union Coop Oil Co. Cenex in Paynesville
• Pick N Save Food & Fuel Express in Plymouth
• Rothsay Truck Stop & Café in Rothsay
• Snelling One in St. Paul
• Sunshine & Whiskey Filling Station in Watson
• Super Gas USA in Burnsville
• Tri County Cooperative Oil Association Cenex-Graceville in Chokio
• Twin Cities Auto Repair & Gas DBA Burnsville Auto Repair in Burnsville
• University One in St. Paul
• Wilton Petroleum in Wilton
• Winnibigoshish Historical Center Inc. DBA Winnie Store in Bena
• Y Store-Ledge Liquor Store in Tower