Lt. Governor Quinn Makes Fuel Proposals

Proposes legislation to give the Citizen's Utility Board watchdog duties over oil companies, urges Big Oil to stock E-85 fuel.

Lt. Governor Pat Quinn proposed legislation to give the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) watchdog duties over oil companies doing business in Illinois on Friday. He also urged Big Oil to stock E-85 - an All-American fuel grown and processed in Illinois - in every possible Illinois gas station.

“Big Oil needs to show a little more loyalty to American consumers, and less loyalty to the Almighty Buck,” Quinn said. “The Citizens Utility Board has a 20-year track record of standing up for Illinois consumers against big electric, gas and phone companies. Authorizing CUB to take on Big Oil will empower motorists who have no place else to turn and ensure that oil companies do not take advantage of consumers during gasoline price crises.”

Quinn spearheaded the successful 1982 referendum effort which led to creation of CUB. Now the largest state consumer group in the nation, CUB has saved Illinois consumers more than $5 billion in rate reductions and refunds.

Quinn also touted the value of E-85, a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline for use in flexible fuel vehicles. E-85 burns cleaner than regular gas and is made from corn produced in Illinois.

“E-85 is an affordable and clean answer to rising gasoline prices,” Quinn said. “By pressing Big Oil to put one E-85 pump at each station, we help our state’s farmers, economy and environment, while reducing dependence on foreign oil.”

During 2005, the number of stations offering E-85 in Illinois has tripled, bringing the total to 65 stations. Quinn called on oil companies to install an E-85 pump at each of their service stations for the convenience of their customers, and to market its availability. E-85 can only be used, however, in the tanks of flex-fuel vehicles. The number of flex-fuel vehicles on the road also continues to rise. According to the Energy Information Administration, there are more than 4 million flexible fuel vehicles in the United States.

For a list of Illinois gas stations offering E-85 and information about flex-fuel vehicles, visit www.IllinoisGreenFleets.org.