Wal-Mart May Offer Ethanol at Gas Stations

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. may offer ethanol made from corn at its 383 U.S. gas stations, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

Wal-Mart said it was not ready to make any announcements, but corn growers said the retailer’s entry into a market now made up mainly of independent gas stations would boost a budding fuel industry.

Ethanol made from U.S.-grown corn has become a hot topic this year as the federal government and American drivers look for alternative fuels.

The world’s largest retailer brought together a group of industry, government and academic experts on alternative fuels in Washington last week to discuss how Wal-Mart could develop a network for supplying its gas stations at its stores and Sam’s Clubs with ethanol.