Vermont gets EPA grant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency beat one of New England’s greenest states last week by announcing that it would fund over $5 million in grants to cut diesel emissions throughout the region.

Under the 2008 Northeast Diesel Collaborative, grants will aim to reduce diesel pollution by funding new retrofit initiatives, cleaner fuel use, engine upgrades, and vehicle or equipment replacement throughout New England and the Caribbean.

One of these clean technologies is the use of biodiesel, a non-petroleum based diesel fuel produced from vegetable oils or animal fats that reduces carbon emissions and the release of harmful particulates often linked to New England’s high asthma rates.

Last June, Gov. Jim Douglas vetoed a bill that required the state to investigate the use of biodiesel to heat state buildings and power state vehicles. The EPA grants are available to regional, state and local governments, environmental organizations, universities, hospitals, federally recognized tribes and other non-profit groups looking to cut diesel emissions in their communities.

“Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing New England,” said Robert Varney, regional administrator for EPA’s New England office. “Fleet by fleet, we are making the black puff of smoke from diesel vehicles a thing of the past.”

Under Gov. Deval Patrick, Massachusetts has implemented a law mandating that all state diesel vehicles use at least a 5 percent blend of biodiesel and many Vermont organizations, including ski resorts, have introduced the renewable technology on their own.

In 2001, the University of Vermont experimented with a fleet of diesel buses using a 60 percent biodiesel blend, but found the fueling method was too costly and that biodiesel was too difficult to get in the state. But renewable fuel sources in the state have grown substantially in the past seven years, according to Matt Cota, executive director at the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, which has represented home heating oil dealers in the state since 1963.

Cota said that many dealers in the state have started selling BioHeat, a blend of heating oil and biofuels that are often soy or palm based. Some dealers have even started to collect waste grease from local fast food restaurants.

“Vermont is a tiny piece of the puzzle,” he said. “We have the lowest petroleum consumption in all the United States.”

And, the Green Mountain state does hold a unique place in the U.S. energy infrastructure. In addition to having the lowest energy consumption in the country, it is one of only two states with no coal-fired power plants and nuclear power accounts for about 75% of electricity generated within the state.

Often, a leader in environmental initiatives, members of the Vermont House of Representatives proposed bills last year to investigate the state’s future in biodiesel and diesel technology. One bill would require that all heating oil and motor vehicle fuel sold in the state contain at least 2 percent biodiesel. Another, would remove the Motor Fuel Tax for individuals making biodiesel for personal use. But, other factors will contribute to the increased demand of biodiesel in the state, according to Netaka White, executive director of the Vermont Biofuels Association and member of the Vermont Biodiesel Project steering committee.

In 2009, new diesel powered passenger cars will be available for sale in many states, including Vermont. New diesel technology and the reduction of sulfur in the gas has allowed new passenger cars to meet California emissions laws—which currently set the national standard.

“There has been a lack of state leadership on this issue,” White said. “But, I think in 2009, we’ll see a refocusing of initiatives.”