Michigan is making a big push to develop alternative energy, but when it comes to offering more ethanol at gas stations, there's a glitch in the switch.
A problem with the pump hardware needed to switch to E-85 is causing some service stations to take longer than expected to offer the alternative fuel. We take a closer look in this Fact Finder Report:
In June, 14 gas stations across the state received up to $70,000 in incentives to convert refueling equipment. But the deadline to make the switch was November 15th. When 7 & 4 News called state officials, we were told only a small fraction of those stations actually met the deadline.
The reason?
There's not enough safety approved hardware to go around or at least not enough of Underwriters Lab, or UL approved parts. Underwriters Lab, or UL hardware is approved for regular unleaded gasoline, but since ethanol is more corrosive, it is taking longer to give the stamp of approval for those hardware pieces. Some states have told stations to halt the switch altogether. In Michigan though, the state says stations can use equipment not approved by UL, but fire marshals were told to keep a close eye on the pumps.
Right now in Northern Michigan, Meijer is the only station offering the ethanol alternative. Meijer made E-85 available about a year ago and was not one of the stations given given state financial incentives. Speedway was given thousands of dollars in incentives for E-85 conversion for six of its stations, including one in Cheboygan. The company refuses to use non - UL approved hanging hardware on its pumps so the conversion process is on hold. State officials are hoping the safety approved parts will be available in January.
Again, Michigan officials say service stations are allowed to install hardware that is not UL approved for this purpose, but are asking safety officials to keep a close watch for any signs of corrosion. And the state is not penalizing stations for not meeting that original conversion deadline.
