Resources: Publications

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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.  The first several components of the VBI included VSJF pilot project grants (e.g., to Sugarbush Resort), the Vermont Biodiesel Project, the Vermont Bioheat Program, and the Feed and Fuel Project.

 

Feed and Fuel Project

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and Vermont Biofuels Association commissioned an oilseed crop market potential and economic feasibility study in order to explore whether Vermont farmers could sustainably, economically, and competitively produce some portion of Vermont’s liquid fuel and livestock feed demand.

We were also interested in the requirements for and characteristics of small-scale, Vermont-made biofuels for local use, as an alternative to industrial-scale biofuel production.

 

Vermont Biodiesel Project

The Vermont Biodiesel Project is a collaboration between VSJF, the Vermont Biofuels Association, the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, and the Vermont Department of Public Service. The goal of the Project is to develop a market for biodiesel and in the state through an integrated set of pilot programs and educational activities and is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the VSJF.

 

Vermont Bioheat Program

The Vermont Bioheat Program was created to help contribute to the understanding of B20 biodiesel as a residential heating fuel. Vermont Bioheat Program research, which took place over the 2005-2006 heating season, was primarily concerned with a comparison of heating system performance when using B20 bioheat and conventional No.2 fuel oil.

 

VSJF Pilot Project Grants

In 2005, VSJF funded pilot projects at Vermont Law School to use biodiesel to heat the Julien and Virginia Cornell Library; at Sugarbush Resort to use biodiesel in snowmaking, grooming, snow removal, and parking lot maintenance; and the Vermont Coffee Company to operate a modified coffee roaster with biodiesel.  Biodiesel usage at Sugarbush resulted in approximately 48,600 pounds of avoided greenhouse gas emissions. Sugarbush's staff gained valuable experience and are excited about the future use of biodiesel at the resort.

 

On-Farm Energy Production: A Vermont Primer

In 2005, VSJF created an on-farm energy production primer for the Sustainable Agriculture Council. This primer served as a foundation for the Farm Energy Handbook, produced by the Vermont Environmental Consortium, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, the Vermont Dairy Task Force, and Ben & Jerry's in 2006.

 

Forest Products

The complete Vermont Wood Products Resource Manual is now available. The Resource Manual is a publication of VSJF and the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, with additional funding from the John Merck Fund.  The publication provides wood products end-users with the information they need to specify and purchase wood products grown and manufactured in Vermont.

 

 

 

 

Approximately 90 hard copies of the Resource Manual are still available. Contact VSJF to request a copy.

 

Dependent Communities

Vermont is a study in contrasts, with many innovative businesses and dynamic
communities juxtaposed with struggling communities and at-risk businesses. This report, Rural Vermont Inventory of Dependent Communities, is aimed at anticipating
problems that arise from dependency early enough to help businesses and communities survive and prosper. This report is the result of over 60 interviews conducted in January and early February, 2005 at the request of Secretary of Commerce Kevin Dorn.

 

Learning Communities

In the fall of 2000 the Wendling Foundation solicited proposals for a grant to ‘design and
implement income- and wealth-producing strategies for low-income individuals and
communities’ in the Northeast. Dubbed the ‘Learning Communities Project’, the VSJF proposal entailed developing a model that integrated three components of a sustainable community: Improving community social capital in order to enable and promote self-determination; increase the capacity of local businesses to create wealth and jobs; and encourage sustainable utilization of the human and natural resource base.

 

Renewable Energy Organizations & Activities

 

Sustainable Development

 

Annual Reports

 

Photo credit: Wayne Fawbush

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