DOT invests in ethanol fuel tanks, pumps.

Byline: Kenneth Mullinax

Feb. 21--The Alabama Department of Transportation wants to send a message: We can reduce our dependence on foreign oil if state vehicles can fill up with American-produced ethanol.

DOT is the first state agency to begin a statewide installation of ethanol flex-fuel pumps and tanks at all nine of its district offices, said Tony Harris, department spokesman.

The cost to the state will be $2.7 million -- for nine 12,000-gallon tanks that will be placed strategically across Alabama, Harris said.

"By mid-summer, all nine of our division offices will be able to pump ethanol flex fuel into 96 percent of our passenger …