Ethanol (E85) - considered an 'alternate fuel' by smog standards?

[armaddon]

Title asks it all pretty much :x I live in northern CA and am in the process of the swap, but am very interested in making it a 'legit' street car.. I knew a guy but apparently he got shut down last week, and it seems most the smog shops I used to see on the way to work are shutting down as well.. I've read threads by a couple people advertising legitimate smog exceptions but haven't heard from either recently