O'Malley vows to expand state's use of ethanol

The state government is going to increase the amount of ethanol used in its fleet of vehicles by placing four new fuel pumps throughout Maryland.

Gov. Martin O'Malley announced yesterday in Annapolis that the sites will be built in Easton, Hagerstown, La Plata and Salisbury. The governor hopes continued emphasis on alternative fuels will increase independence from gasoline and improve the environment.

"The only way the future changes, and changes for the better, is when we take responsibility," he said.

The infrastructure for each pump costs about $100,000 and the pumps will be completed in about a...