At the request of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, ConocoPhillips will allow the sale of E-85 fuel in Kansas. Sebelius reached out to company executives in mid-August expressing Kansas’ commitment to the fuel blend. The production of the fuel creates a market for over 96 million bushels of Kansas sorghum and corn each year.

“Kansas is working to be a leader in renewable energy,” Sebelius said. “It’s an investment in rural Kansas, it supports farmers and their families and it reduces our dependence on foreign oil.”

Earlier this summer, ConocoPhillips launched an 18-month pilot sale of E-85 in Illinois, Iowa, Colorado and Nebraska. Kansas, which was not originally part of this pilot, will now be included in the program due to the Governor’s request.

Crescent Oil Co., headquartered in Independence, Kan., will distribute the fuel blend at ConocoPhillips locations throughout the state.

“Expanding energy infrastructure is a huge undertaking, and ConocoPhillips’ willingness to include Kansas is no small gesture,” Sebelius said. “It demonstrates a real desire on their part to create a secure energy future and become a strong partner in Kansas’ efforts to support renewable energy sources.”

Currently, nine ethanol plants operate in Kansas with a capacity of over 270.5 million gallons. Six more plants are under construction with an estimated 300 gallons of additional capacity.