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Alternative
Fuel Incentive Program
Project awards were granted between Fall 2004
and Spring 2005 to ten organizations totaling $98,000. The NC
Alternative Fuel Incentive
program was able to award the funds to a diverse group of projects that
include biomass, electric vehicles and charging stations, and
compressed natural gas. The sites ranged from Universities and
Community Colleges to government fleets and public service stations.
An estimated 89,463 kilograms of emissions will be reduced throughout
the life of the projects, while 207,427 gallons of B20 biodiesel fuel
was purchased through the grant program.
Two projects involved selling biodiesel at commercial service stations.
Superior Oil Company’s Penn Mart station in Salisbury was able to sell
B20 for the same price as petroleum diesel. Blue Ridge Biofuels, LLC
purchased a fuel dispenser and storage tanks for biodiesel fuel. The
new pump at The Gas Up in West Asheville is the first fully commercial
location to provide B99 (99% biodiesel, 1% diesel) in western NC.
Forsyth County and the City of Greensboro used AFIP funds to purchase
B20 to fuel fleet vehicles. Forsyth County Monitoring and Mobile
Sources Division Manager Patrick Reagan reports that although some in
the county were hesitant at first, diesel vehicle operators have not
noticed any change in vehicle performance using the cleaner fuel. Funds
were also used to help purchase B20 for Greensboro’s landfill fueling
site, which dispenses 250,000 gallons of fuel per year.
The NC Zoo in Asheboro purchased B100, blending its own B20 to fuel the
buses and trams that carry over 700,000 visitors annually. The Zoo is
currently in the process of constructing a mobile biofuel processor.
Pitt County Memorial Hospital’s AFIP grant went toward the purchase of
B20 for the hospital’s diesel vehicles, including ambulances. PCMH
recently became the first hospital in the nation to install its own
biodiesel fueling
station.
UNC-Charlotte and Wilson Technical Community College used grant funds
to purchase Global Electric Motorcars, replacing older gas-powered
vehicles. Both schools are committed to becoming more energy efficient,
with the purchase of more GEMs at UNC-C and the installation of a solar
charging station at Wilson Tech.
The Western NC Regional Air Quality Agency purchased a 2005 Chevy Astro
van with a Compressed Natural Gas conversion kit, and Buncombe County
is building a centrally located biodiesel fueling center where fleet
vehicles will have convenient access to B20.
As demonstrated by the success of the Alternative Fuel Incentive
Program, grants play an important role in prompting companies, schools,
local governments and other entities to diversify our fuel supply and
gain experience with advanced transportation technologies.
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