ALBANY, N.Y. – On July 31, Gov. George Pataki (R) signed legislation into law that would allow retailers to sell E-85 and other alternative fuels by modifying oil company contracts with their retail partners, reports The (Albany) Business Review.

New York State Association of Service Stations and Repair Shops Inc. Executive Director Ralph Bombardier told the newspaper that the new law will have minimal impact, noting that with only 200,000 alternative fuel vehicles on the road, there is little market for E-85 in the state.

Bombardier commented that the new law “is mostly politics on the governor's part,” adding that because most retailers have a three-year contract with their franchisers, it would take some time before E-85 dispensers are available “even if enough station owners want to install them.”

Some proponents of E-85 have accused refining companies of prohibiting the sale of E-85 under their branded canopies. NACS Vice President of Government Relations John Eichberger told NACS Daily that those companies have a responsibility to ensure that only product produced by them is sold under their brand. Currently, no refining company is producing E-85. However, retailers who want to sell E-85 should discuss their intent to do so with their supplier to determine if an accommodation can be made to their contract.