IMPORTANT INFORMATION March 9, 2006
Ethanol Fuel Comes to Virginia
Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Owners and Operators:
In the next few weeks (mid-March to mid-May 2006) many reformulated gasoline (RFG) marketers in Virginia will be supplied gasoline containing 10% ethanol (E10) to replace the use of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MtBE). Ethanol may pose potential problems for your storage tank systems and your customers’ vehicles so contact your fuel supplier to determine their fuel conversion plans and to obtain suggestions on how to prepare your tank systems.
Any ethanol blended fuel or (E10) will necessitate use of different fuel (dispenser) filters and require you to be diligent about preventing any water in your tanks. The ethanol will add necessary octane to the fuel, but any water in the tank may mix with the ethanol and lower the octane or make vehicles run unacceptably.
The following websites contain additional information regarding the phase-in of ethanol blended fuels:
Virginia Petroleum, Convenience and Grocery Association (VPCGA) - MtBE Phase-out Memorandum