GSA now checking gasoline receipts

**James48843** · 05-14-2009, 06:55 AM

Note:
Heard through the Union grapevine this week:

If you are driving a Flex-Fuel government vehicle
(Dodge Caravan, Chevy Impala, Etc)- you MUST use alternative fuels (E85).

From the law:---------------------------------------

42 USC Sec. 6374. (a)(3)
(E)(i) Dual fueled vehicles acquired pursuant to this section shall be operated on alternative fuels unless the Secretary determines that an agency qualifies for a waiver of such requirement for vehicles operated by the agency in a particular geographic area in which -
(I) the alternative fuel otherwise required to be used in the vehicle is not reasonably available to retail purchasers of the fuel, as certified to the Secretary by the head of the agency; or
(II) the cost of the alternative fuel otherwise required to be used in the vehicle is unreasonably more expensive compared to gasoline, as certified to the Secretary by the head of the agency.

-------------------

GSA has provided guidance to agencies that says that if you travel within 10 miles of an Alternative Fuel station (E85 for ethanol capable vehicles, or BIODIESEL for diesel vehicles), you MUST use that alternative fuel.

Even if it means you have to travel out of your way by 10 miles to get it, and even if the price is higher than gasoline. The only exception is if the price is “unreasonably more expensive”, that in that case, it has to be certified by the head of the Agency.

As of May, 2009, E85 is now available in more than 2075 stations nationwide.

The leading states are:

Minnesota: 373 stations
Illinois: 222 stations
Indiana: 136 stations
Iowa: 132 stations
Wisconsin: 132 stations
Missouri: 115 stations
Michigan: 111 stations
South Carolina: 82 stations
South Dakota: 75 stations
Ohio: 62 stations
Texas: 47 stations
North Dakota: 41 stations
Georgia: 34 stations
Arizona: 31 stations
California: 29 stations
New York: 28 stations
Pennsylvania: 27 stations
Florida: 25 stations

Check your local area at: http://e85prices.com for a listing of local stations.

GSA is now conducting random checks of fuel receipts in some locations, and notifying agencies if employees are not purchasing E85 as required. So far, no disciplinary action has been taken that I am aware of, but letters are being sent to the managers of "local vehicle coordinators" telling them they may have reimbursement issues in the future if they don't start buying the required alternative fuel.

If it's a G-Car- and if it's a "Flex-Fuel" car, and if there is an E85 station within 10 miles of your duty location, then you better have "E85" on your fuel receipts, or you may get a post card or letter from GSA soon.

**Buster** · 05-15-2009, 04:34 AM

E85 Price Gas Price Price Spread Date City Station Reported By $1.77 $1.83 3% 05/13 Oklahoma City Star Fuel, 5501 Ne 10th St fueltraderOK (1) $1.80 $2.01 10% 05/12 Oklahoma City Conoco-Phillips, 21 NE 4th Street CGRacin11c (26) $1.75 $1.85 5% 04/26 Oklahoma City Conoco-Phillips, 21 NE 4th Street CGRacin11c (26) $1.75 $1.85 5% 04/24 Oklahoma City Conoco-Phillips, 21 NE 4th Street CGRacin11c (26)

Right now in my area these two stations are in areas of town that you wouldn't drive through at high noon..pretty rough hoods and for a 3% difference vs a major ass-whoopin..ain't worth it..I'll take the ass chewing from the boss and ask him to fill it up if he wants..But my boss is smarter than that and would leave me alone..he'd rather explain a $.06 difference than do all the paperwork on a dead employee or a G-can that had it's tires slashed....