Commerce Department investigation identifies gas stations involved in weekend fuel mix-up

For Immediate Release

Commerce Department investigation identifies gas stations involved in weekend fuel mix-up

ST. PAUL, MN – An ongoing Minnesota Department of Commerce investigation has identified at least 38 gas stations and 10 secondary distributors in southern Minnesota that received gasoline with above-regulation concentrations of ethanol. Department investigators suspect 15 to 20 additional stations may have received non-regulation fuel from secondary distributors. A coordinated effort is underway to identify any remaining stations that may have received that fuel, and to ensure that product is immediately replaced.

“Our highest priority is making certain that this fuel does not end up in the gas tanks of Minnesota consumers,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman.

A sample taken from a station in Springfield on Monday, October 10 was tested by the Department’s Weights and Measures division. Lab results showed that sample contained a 63 percent concentration of ethanol – well above the standard 10 percent maximum.

A station in Windom removed their product from sale Thursday, October 13 pending a test result from the Weights and Measures Division. Lab results overnight revealed that product contains an ethanol content of 17 percent, which is above the 10 percent maximum.

Additional samples are being collected for testing at affected gas stations throughout the region.

“Since we first learned of the situation Monday afternoon, our field investigators have been working vigilantly to identify gas stations affected by this incident. We are working to identify the full scope of the problem, help replace the fuel immediately, and restore public confidence in the marketplace.”
The Department’s Weights and Measures division is using a systematic approach to: 1) identify which stations were affected; 2) ensure that bad gasoline is not being sold at those locations; 3) collect samples for testing; and 4) work with the distributor to immediately replace any contaminated product.

Thus far, those efforts have identified 38 total stations that received bad gasoline. At 37 of those locations, fuel has been removed and replaced by Magellan Midstream Partners Petroleum, the distributor responsible for Saturday’s malfunction. The following is a list of affected stations, and a description of what has been done to remove the contaminated fuel.

 
Genesis Coop C-Store 
840 East Main St, Belle Plain  
Fuel removed and replaced

 
Kwik Trip #330  
104 Aspen Ln, Belle Plain  
Fuel removed and replaced

 
212 & 1 Stop       
Danube  
Fuel removed and replaced

Kwik Trip #431  
17 Stoltzman Rd, Mankato  
Fuel removed and replaced

 
Kwik Trip #449  
1291 Raintree Rd, Mankato  
Fuel removed and replaced

Kwik Trip #334  
1271 N River Dr, Mankato  
Fuel removed and replaced

Kwik Trip #344  
1549 Madison Ave, Mankato  
Fuel removed and replaced

 
Kwik Trip #432  
1521 S Broadway St, New Ulm  
Fuel removed and replaced

Freedom   
627 N Minnesota St, New Ulm  
Fuel removed and replaced

 
Kwik Trip #806  
303 Mineral Springs Rd, Owatonna  
Fuel removed and replaced

Kwik Trip #435  
1075 W Frontage Rd, Owatonna  
Fuel removed and replaced

Kwik Trip #403  
2270 46th St NW, Owatonna  
Fuel removed and replaced

River Region C Store  
509 W Main St, Sleepy Eye  
Fuel removed and replaced

Super America  
729 N Riverfront Dr, Mankato  
Fuel removed and replaced

Super America  
201 Webster Ave, N Mankato  
Fuel removed and replaced

Hilltop Quick Mart  
930 Madison Ave, Mankato  
Fuel removed and replaced

Watonwan Farm Service     
Blue Earth  
Fuel removed and replaced

 
Juba’s Fuel Express
219 S Main St, Blue Earth  
Fuel removed and replaced

River Region Coop  
PO Box 665, Essig   
Fuel removed and replaced

UFC C Store   
1253 1st Ave, Gibbon   
Fuel removed and replaced

HyVee Gas #5511  
1720 S Cedar, Owatonna  
Fuel removed and replaced

Cenex    
1400 E Bridge, Redwood Falls 
Fuel removed and replaced

Farmer’s Coop Oil  
118Dupont Ave NE, Renville  
Fuel removed and replaced

Ericksons   
624 S Minnesota Ave, Saint Peter  
Fuel removed and replaced

Braun Oil   
23719 285th Ave, Sleepy Eye  
Fuel removed and replaced

River Region C Store  
509 W Main St, Sleepy Eye  
Fuel removed and replaced

Harvestland Coop  
PO Box 278, Springfield  
Fuel removed and replaced

Kwik Trip #466  
1305 S Minnesota Ave, Saint Peter  
Fuel removed and replaced

Country Pride Coop  
251 1st Ave S, Windom  
Removed from sale

Erickson Freedom Value 
712 2nd Ave N, Windom  
Fuel removed and replaced

UFC C Store   
203 4th E, Winthrop  
Fuel removed and replaced

Harmening Oil   
1400 S Valley St, New Ulm  
Fuel removed and replaced

SSL Auto Service  
626 N Minnesota St, New Ulm  
Fuel removed and replaced

Nicollet Mart   
220 Main St, Nicollet  
Fuel removed and replaced

HyVee Gas   
2717 N Bridge, Albert Lea  
Fuel removed and replaced

HyVee Food Store  
1001 18th Ave NW, Austin   
Fuel removed and replaced

HyVee Gas   
2027 S Broadway, New Ulm  
Fuel removed and replaced

Tauers Super Valu  
101 W Central St, Springfield  
Blended by secondary distributor
  
 
Because some gasoline with the high blend of ethanol was sent to 10 bulk plants and secondary distributors, Commerce investigators suspect 15 to 20 additional gas stations in the region may have been affected. Commerce field staff is continuing to inspect bill of lading records to track down all bad gasoline distributed during Saturday’s mishap, and ensure it is immediately replaced with product that meets ASTM standards.

Secondary distributors that received contaminated gasoline include:

 
Wantowan Farm Service      
Blue Earth

River Region Coop   
PO Box 665, Essig

 
Harmening Oil    
1400 S Valley St, New Ulm

 
Harvestland Coop   
PO Box278, Springfield

 
Staples Oil    
1680 N Redding Ave, Windom

 
Waterford Oil    
1260 5th St W, Northfield

 
Hartland Fuels    
1530 Greenview Dr, Rochester

 
Olsen Bulk Service    
336 Southbend Ave, Mankato

 
Farmers Union Oil   
1208 W Lincoln, Olivia

 
Cenex Renville Coop       
Renville

Following the investigation and cleanup, Commissioner Rothman has directed Magellan to provide a full report of the situation detailing: 1) a specific account of what happened and which stations were involved; 2) what specifically was done to correct the problem; and 3) a detailed plan to ensure this kind of problem will never happen again. Magellan has agreed to fulfill that request.

Minnesota consumers with questions, concerns, or complaints should contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce Weights and Measures Division at (651) 215-5821. To find out more about the Weights and Measures Division, visit our new website at http://mn.gov/commerce/weights-and-measures/.