Along with the Governor, Aurora Cooperative and corn industry officials taking part in the ribbon-cutting at last week’s grand opening were, from left, Phil Smith, Head of Energy Sales; Roger Berry, Nebraska Corn Board; Bill Gowen, Director of Energy and Animal Nutrition; Bill Schuster, Board Chairman; Chris Vincent, CEO; Gov. Pete Ricketts; Carl Smith, CFO; and Chris Decker, COO. (Johnson Publications photo)
Governor Pete Ricketts fills up a customer’s vehicle at the Aurora Cooperative’s A-Stop station north of Grant at Friday’s grand opening. (Johnson Publications photo)
In Grant, Governor Ricketts promotes ethanol blended fuel at Aurora A-Stop grand opening
Governor Pete Ricketts cut the ribbon to commemorate the grand opening of Aurora Cooperative’s A-Stop 24 pump station last Friday.
Located just north of Grant on Highway 61, A-Stop provides E10, E15, E30, E85 and diesel fuel around the clock. The ethanol blends a higher octane consisting of either 15, 30 or 85 percent ethanol.
Aurora Cooperative provided $10 of ethanol-blended gasoline to 92 vehicles during their five-hour open house.
Grant employees welcomed attendees with root beer floats, water and cookies, serving over nine gallons of ice cream.
Vice President of Marketing Kevin Sagehorn welcomed the nearly 50 attendees to the grand opening ceremony and introduced Gov. Ricketts.
Ricketts spoke on the importance of ethanol for the state of Nebraska.
With agriculture being Nebraska’s No. 1 industry, “if we want to grow our state, we must grow agriculture.”
State agencies, such as the Nebraska Corn Board, the Nebraska Corn Growers, and private partners and federal government grants have helped invest $3.5 million to create higher-blend ethanol pumps. There are now about 70 pumps in 19 locations across the state.
“This is so important for us to help develop that market for ethanol. Because ethanol is huge for our state,” Ricketts said.
He noted 40 percent of Nebraska’s corn crop goes to ethanol.
Ricketts encouraged attendees to promote ethanol-blended fuel to their family, friends and neighbors, offering several benefits:
• Save money at the pump.
• It’s great for the environment.
• It’s beneficial for farmers and ranchers.
“Every time you fill up with ethanol, you’re supporting your farmers and ranchers locally,” he said.
Roger Berry, Nebraska Corn Board’s director of market development, thanked Aurora Cooperative on behalf of Nebraska’s 24,000 corn farmers for what they’re doing with ethanol.
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