Ethanol Blended Gasoline Coming to Southern Oregon

The gasoline sold at stations throughout Southern Oregon is about to change.

Beginning April 15th, stations in 9 southern oregon counties will be required to blend their gas with 10 percent ethanol.

Counties in northwest Oregon began selling the blend in January.

The blend will reduce tailpipe emissions, but will also reduce engine performance and fuel efficiency.

A similar mix was sold in Southern Oregon in the 1980s to help the region comply with clean air standards.

The state is rolling out the ethanol blend in stages to give distributors time to ramp up ethanol production.

Counties east of the Cascades will start selling the blend on September 15th.