(July 12, 2010) Washington - The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Protec Fuel are proud to announce the opening of the first E85 station in New Braunfels, Texas.

The Midtex New Braunfels fueling station, now offering E85, is branded Shell and is located at 1015 South Seguin Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130. This station is located close to I-35 in between Austin and San Antonio and will support the local fleet and public in addition to travelers on the highway. This is Midtex Oil’s second E85 station; the first located in Spring Branch at 7765 US Highway 281 N. Midtex utilized Protec Fuel’s turnkey E85 fuel program for both stations, which included the conversion process to an E85 fueling pump, E85 supply and promotional marketing.

“We are focused on providing our customers with what they want. Whether it is our one-stop shop Pit Stop Food Marts and Fischer’s Market concept stores to make their lives more convenient or giving them an alternative to gasoline derived from imported oil, Midtex is there for our customers,” said Rodney Fischer of Midtex Oil.

Todd Garner, Managing Partner of Protec said, “Protec is proud to be partnered with Midtex Oil. It is because of leading and committed retailers like Midtex that the American public can now do its part to strengthen our economy, environment and national security through domestically produced fuels.”

There are more than 8 million flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) on America’s roadways today, with over 2,300 fueling stations offering blends of E85. Efforts to install more of these types of fueling stations are underway with a goal to at least triple the availability of these blends within the next few years.

“The increasing amount of E85 fuel station conversions in the Southern part of the country is a realization that the use and desire for alternative fuels, like ethanol, is growing,” said RFA Market Development Director, Robert White. “It is with this heightened interest in ethanol fuel that our country can become more energy dependent.”

To help locate the Midtex stations, the RFA has recently updated their fuel locator application for Garmin and TomTom GPS devices. This application locates the closest and most convenient E85 fueling station to the driver using the current location or final destination. In a few simple steps, FFV owners can download this application from their computer directly to their GPS device here.

E85 is an ethanol blended gasoline made up of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. This fuel is to be used in Flex-Fuel Vehicles only as they have been designed to operate on any level of ethanol blended gasoline. Owners should consult their owner’s manual to see if their vehicle is E85-compatable.

About Midtex Oil: With its beginnings in 1966, Midtex Oil, L.P. has grown to become one of Texas' foremost petroleum and ethanol wholesale companies. Today, Midtex Oil employs over 250 people across the South-Central and Eastern regions of Texas. A family-owned business, Midtex Oil provides quality fuel and lubricating products as well as a convenient shopping experience at its Pit Stop, Petro Pantry Food Marts and new Fischer’s Neighborhood Market.

About the RFA: Since 1981, the RFA has led the fight on behalf of American ethanol producers to open markets and create sound public policies allowing for the expanding production and use of fuel ethanol. Representing the majority of American ethanol production, the RFA believes sound analysis, credible statistics, an understanding of the industry rooted in history, and a willingness to work with other groups is the key to effective advocacy.

About Protec Fuel: Protec Fuel is a fuel distribution and management company based in Boca Raton, Florida with its alternative fuel division specializing in turnkey ethanol programs for retailers, fleets and fuel distributors throughout the United States. Turnkey services include: physical ethanol supply and blending programs; financial risk management programs and; RINS management. The turnkey program also covers infrastructure needs including: E85 strategic site selection; station design; equipment supply; new station installation; conversions of existing stations; government grant funding assistance and; support with station sales and marketing. Protec also provides marketing services for advanced and cellulosic ethanol producers in addition to a full range of conventional energy risk management programs. Protec currently supplies, either directly or through distribution partners, approximately 250 E85 stations. Please visit www.protecfuel.com to learn more.