Vermont Biofuels Initiative

The Vermont Biofuels Initiative (VBI) is a multi-year, integrated program designed to foster a biofuels industry in Vermont using local resources to supply a portion of the state's liquid fuel energy needs.  Drawing from its activities in the forest products sector, VSJF designed the VBI process to stimulate commercial-scale demand for biodiesel and to support an expanding supply and distribution system over a ten-year horizon.

Phase One (2003-2006) of the VBI, successfully established an early stage biodiesel market in Vermont.  VSJF and its public and private partners (Vermont Biofuels Association, Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, Vermont Department of Public Service, and the Office of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy) completed pilot projects and conducted educational activities that successfully introduced biodiesel to large scale institutional and commercial diesel users along with residential heating oil customers, thus establishing an early stage biodiesel market. Since 2004, VSJF and its partners have secured over $1,073,000 in public and private funds to grow the biofuels sector in the state, with major funding resulting from the efforts of Senator Leahy and the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program.

Phase Two (2006-2008) of the VBI will expand both commercial-scale and small on-farm production of biodiesel in the state. This phase will also involve the funding of feasibility analyses, research and development, and demonstration projects for various biomass / biofuels feedstocks, including oilseed biodiesel, algal biodiesel, and grasses for pellets or potential cellulosic ethanol applications, as well as a Renewable Energy Atlas of Vermont.

Network Building

Demand Side

Supply Side

 

Photo Credits: Canola Field (left), Netaka White; Seed press with sunflower seeds (middle), Ed Delhagen; Biodiesel flask (right), Netaka White.

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