WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is a home rule unit government pursuant to the 1970 Illinois Constitution, Article VII, Section 6(a); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to its home rule power, the City of Chicago may exercise any power and perform any function relating to its government and affairs including the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and

WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is dedicated to reducing fuel costs, improving local air quality, reducing petroleum usage, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles; and

WHEREAS, E15 is a blend of gasoline and up to 15 volume percent ethanol; and

WHEREAS, ethanol is a renewable domestic fuel that burns cleaner than gasoline; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is the third largest ethanol producing state in the nation, with 14 ethanol plants that can produce 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol per year; and

WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has approved the use of E15 in cars of the model year 2001 or later; and

WHEREAS, E15 is significantly less expensive than conventional gasoline, with expected savings between 5 and 15 cents per gallon; and

WHEREAS, according to the Argonne National Laboratory, higher blends of ethanol reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of motor fuel by an average of 34 percent compared to conventional gasoline; and

WHEREAS, transportation accounts for 21 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the city; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Chicago intends to ensure that that the city’s public fueling infrastructure provides access to alternative fuels; NOW THEREFORE

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:

SECTION 1. The above recitals are expressly incorporated herein and made part hereof as though fully set forth herein.

SECTION 2. Chapter 4-108 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby amended by adding a new Section 4-108-76, as follows:

4-108-76 Self-service filling station E15 consumer choice – Required.

(a) E15 Dispensing Equipment Required. Every licensee operating a self-service filling station open to the general public shall make available, at each filling station, self-service dispensing equipment that dispenses mid-grade E15 for use in motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines and shall offer mid-grade E15 for sale.

(b) Definitions. As used in this section:

“Mid-grade E-15” shall mean a gasoline-ethanol blend with an 88 octane rating or higher that contains greater than 10.0 volume percent ethanol and not more than 15.0 volume percent ethanol.

(c) Exemptions. The requirements of this section shall not apply to: (1) a filling station at which the average annual volume of fuel sales is less than 500,000 gallons; or (2) a filling station at which the underground storage tanks are not compatible with the storage of blended fuel in accordance with Section 175.415 of Chapter I of Title 41 of the Illinois Administrative Code, as amended, codified at 41 111. Adm. Code 175.415.

SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 180 days after passage and
publication.