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Drivers in northwest Ohio now have an option when they fill up their gas tanks that many say will be better for the environment, support Ohio farmers and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

Sterling Convenience Store, 1444 W. Alexis Rd. in Toledo, is now offering E85, a blend of 15 percent petroleum, 85 percent ethanol.

"We're always looking at ways to try reduce costs to our custormers," said BrianKoenig, president of Sterling Convenience Stores. In late September, when the price of regular unleaded gas was 2.89 per gallon, the Sterling store priced E85 at $2.49 per gallon.

"It's exceeded our expectations,"Koenig said of E85 sales. He said that if the pump is a success the company will begin looking to sell the fuel at other locations.

Dwayne Siekman, executive director of the Ohio Corn Growers Association, said the pump is one of two E85 refueling stations in Ohio.

"But it's the first that's dedicated to promoting and marketing the fuel to consumers," he said.

The other pump is located at a Speedway station at 3760 Main St. in Hilliard.

Siekman said OCGA is working with Sterling Convenience Stores to educate owners of flexible fuel vehicles about the environmental benefits of E85. To announce the pump, the store offered E85 to drivers for $1.85 per gallon from noon to 6 p.m. on Sept. 8. Siekman said E85 will normally be priced about 20 to 30 cents below regular gasoline.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is also making the switch to alternative fuels. This month, Gov. Bob Taft issued an executive order asking ODOT to use at least 1 million gallons of biodiesel fuel and 30,000 gallons of ethanol per year and to purchase only new cars that are able to run on both unleaded fuel and ethanol.

According to ODOT, the agency uses about 4 million gallons of diesel fuel a year to fuel 4,200 pieces of heavy equipment that can run on biodiesel or diesel fuel.

During the Farm Science Review, Taft said he didn't think the move would cost much because alternative fuels are becoming more competitive.

"We've got to get into this business," he said. "This is the future."

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, who accompanied Taft at a press conference, said he was glad to hear that ethanol plants will soon begin production in Ohio.

"Every indication is that this is an area where we're going to see good growth," he said.