Jet Stop upgrades its fuel offerings

The Jet Stop Gas and Convenience story is undergoing a major upgrade. One can actually drive along Main Street and be unaware something big is happening. The crews working on the pumps and storage tanks make sure traffic across from the park proceeds smoothly.

The upgrade will include offering E15 to New London residents. E15 is a blend that contains 10.5-15% ethanol with 85% gasoline. Many newer vehicles are now approved to use the E15 blend.

Benefits for using E15 are multiple. It is partially renewable. The ethanol is produced from renewable resources, mainly corn. The production is beneficial to our farmers. It is cleaner burning which may reduce air pollution. The cost at the pump is lower which saves money at the pump. Each driver must decide if the reduction in mileage is offset by the lower price.

Drawbacks of E15 are multiple as well. Ethanol is corrosive to rubber and certain metals. This might damage fuel system parts. Ethanol attracts and bonds with water. Water will separate from the fuel and settle inside the tank.

Other ethanol-gasoline blends are e10. E10 contains 10% ethanol and has been available for many years. E85 contains up to 85% alcohol. E85 fuel requires a vehicle designed to handle the higher ethanol content. The special engines is referred to as a FFV (Flex-fuel vehicle).

While visiting with the Jet Gas and B&B Propane men who were working on the upgrade, they joked a bit and made it clear that the new pumps would have clear, simple instructions and hopefully no “see cashier for …” messages.

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