The American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air Report, issued on April 18, 2018, gives Minnesota generally good grades for air quality. The report looked at three years (2014-2016) of air quality data collected by the state and verified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Compared to last year’s report, two counties (Lyon and Scott) saw better grades for ozone. For particulate pollution, four counties (Dakota, Olmsted, Washington, and Wright) had slightly poorer grades this year.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, vehicle emissions are one of the largest sources of air pollution in the state. Fortunately, Minnesota is doing something about that by increasing the number of alternative fuel options available to drivers.
Minnesota has seen growth in the number of retail stations offering cleaner-burning ethanol blends such as E85 and E15 (also known as 88 octane). Nationally recognized as a leader in cleaner biofuels, Minnesota is setting an example for other states to follow. That’s news that should make us all breathe easier.
Check out your Minnesota county grades from this year’s State of the Air Report.
Find the nearest E85 or E15 retail station where you can fill up, and help keep Minnesota’s air clean.