Biofuels Resources: Stories
Vermont's Biodiesel Sector Springs to Life (Summer 2005)
With oil prices climbing and concerns over fuel security rising, interest in biodiesel is blossoming. Since 2004, the Vermont Biodiesel Project (VBP) partners have organized activities to explore how this new option will work in Vermont. The turnout at the most recent event demonstrated that businesses no longer view this as a fringe movement, but rather a growing opportunity for the fuel sector.
On June 8 the VBP convened the Vermont Biodiesel Spring Workshop. Originally slated for 120 participants, more than 175 registrants attended the daylong affair with nearly one third making their business in the fuel trade. This event was designed to build commercial demand for biodiesel and to assist suppliers and potential users by sharing practical information on the fuel. Presentations covered a range of topics of interest to users of on- and off-road diesel as well as those who use diesel (No.2 oil) for heating. In addition, ten biodiesel and fuel exhibitors took part in the state's first biodiesel trade show.
The VBP organizers set out to create a program that would be valuable not just to commercial scale (distillate) users, but also to the established fuel industry in the state. To provide focus for the different groups, the day was divided into two concurrent tracks, one for users and producers, and one for dealers and distributors. Senator Patrick Leahy's state director Chuck Ross and VSJF board president Kevin Harper welcomed the participants and framed the opportunity for locally produced fuel. Greg Liebert from Vermont's Alternative Energy Company and Liebert Engineering gave the keynote address, 'Biodiesel and How It Will Play a Role in Vermont's Energy Future'.
In the dealers and distributors track, several experienced local and regional fuel industry leaders reviewed topics such as distributing and marketing biodiesel, new federal tax incentives, and blending, storage and delivery issues. In the users and producers track, participants heard from Vermont biodiesel users from Sugarbush Resort, the Vermont Agency of Transportation and Middlebury College. In addition participants had many questions answered pertaining to storage and supply, human and environmental health, and technical performance. Participants in this section included commercial and institutional fuel users, town and state level policy and decision makers, school district supervisors and fleet managers, and members of the agricultural community.
After the spring event, several participants announced new activity in the biodiesel sector:
- Patterson Fuels of Richmond began deliveries of B20 in bulk to its off-road customers. They also became the first supplier in Chittenden County to begin selling B20 at filling stations (now in Richmond and along Vermont Route 7 in Charlotte)
- Champlain Oil Co. is selling B20 to filling stations in the Burlington area
- University of Vermont and Green Mountain Power began purchasing B20 for their fleet vehicles
- Caulkin Oil Co. of Danville is now 'seriously interested' in storing B100 in Danville and selling blended biodiesel in their region
- Jack F. Corse, Inc. has dedicated two 12,000 gallon storage tanks for B20, one for heating fuel and the other for on-road fuel for sale in the Lamoille County region
- Energy Co-op of Vermont is now selling a B5 blend of heating oil to its customers
These announcements follow on the introduction of biodiesel in other parts of Vermont associated with previous VBP pilot projects and private initiatives.
The June event and its related outcomes demonstrate the growing demand for biodiesel. As alternative fuel markets emerge, the Vermont Biodiesel Project looks forward to assisting with the development of the state's own biofuel production capacity.
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