NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2004 DC Celebrates Earth Day Early by Opening E85 Fueling Site (Washington, DC) Earth Day is coming a bit early this year as the District of Columbia inaugurated its first E85 fueling station today at the at the Fleet Management Administration (FMA) fueling facility located at 1835 West Virginia Avenue, NE.  E85 is a “blended fuel” made of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.  The FMA fueling facility has eight automated fueling stations or pumps, offering diesel, gasoline and compressed natural gas, as well as E85.  The District’s fleet currently includes 261 alternative fuel vehicles.   This celebration marks the expansion of the District’s alternative fuel program and cements Mayor Anthony A. Williams’ commitment to cleaner air for all DC residents.    “I am pleased that our municipal fleet is leading the way toward better air quality for the District of Columbia and the region,” said Mayor Williams.    Ethanol and its blends have proven to be environmentally friendly, having the highest oxygen content of any transportation fuel available today. This means it burns cleaner than gasoline and produces fewer exhaust emissions, an important consideration for municipal fleets across the country. DC and a number of surrounding cities and counties have been designated “non-attainment” areas by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which means that the local air quality falls below EPA standards, largely due to vehicle pollution.    “The District of Columbia is joining a number of progressive communities across the nation by adding a domestically produced and renewable transportation fuel to their fuel mix,” stated Phil Lampert, Executive Director of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. “We applaud the leadership provided by the DC Fleet Management Administration.”    E85 is made from grain crops, such as corn, grown in the United States. The opening of the E85 station demonstrates a cooperative effort between government, farmers, and business to provide for a healthier, greener city.   “Opening this E85 station in our nation’s capital on the day before Earth Day is a tremendous sign of progress for the District as it works toward bringing its residents a breath of fresh air,” said Lynne Hoot, Executive Director of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB).