Chatham Installs Biodiesel Tank with Carolina Blue Skies funding

Pittsboro, NC - Chatham County received $6800 as part of the "Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative", using it to purchase and install a 1000-gallon biodiesel fueling station at the county's garage. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oil or animal fats that is easily blended with petroleum diesel, typically at a 20% biodiesel 80% petroleum diesel ratio.



The Waste Management department began using B20 earlier this month in three of its recycling trucks. The department estimates it will reduce its annual usage of petroleum diesel by 2,500 gallons or more. The project also has a positive impact on the local economy. Chatham County currently obtains its biodiesel from Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro. In addition, the Waste Management department partners with Piedmont Biofuels to provide cooking oil recycling tanks and pick-up service at the county's 12 Collection Centers. Another recycling tank is located at the county's main Waste Management facility for any county resident, restaurant, or other small business. Teresa Chapham, Chatham's waste reduction coordinator says,

"Chatham residents and businesses can directly contribute to cleaner emissions in the county and support the local economy by recycling their used cooking oil. The oil is used locally to produce biodiesel, which is used to fuel our recycling trucks. It's also a great way to keep cooking grease out of the plumbing systems, as well as landfills in North Carolina".

The US Department of Energy reports that biodiesel also substantially decreases harmful emissions, and reduces visible smoke and noxious odors. "While our vehicles are equipped with emission controls, using the B20 blend will further reduce our fleet's negative impact on the air quality in Chatham", said Dan LaMontagne, Chatham County's solid waste director.

For more information on Chatham County's recycling programs contact Waste Management department at 919-542-5516.

One Million Gallons Displaced: Announcing the Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative

Last year, US DOE Secretary Steven Chu and Vice President Joe Biden announced nearly $300 million in Clean Cities grants to support clean vehicles, fuels and infrastructure development. The Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG), based near Raleigh, North Carolina, was among the 25 award recipients. The Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative was awarded just over $12 million and was designed to provide support for alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure projects by collaborating with five principal alternative fuel partners in the Carolinas: Triangle Clean Cities Coalition (TCCC), Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition (CFCC), Land-Of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition (LOS-CVC), North Carolina Solar Center, and Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition (PSCFC). “We are excited to bring this opportunity to our stakeholders. In these tough economic times, it is vital to keep our focus on sustainable practices that will improve our environment and economy,” stated Kathy Boyer, coordinator for Triangle Clean Cities.

Carolina Blue Skies will include vehicles and fueling infrastructure for electric, hybrid-electric, CNG, LPG, E85, and biodiesel fuels and technologies. It has been estimated that this Initiative will displace nearly 3.7 million gallons of petroleum annually after full implementation while creating and preserving jobs and jumpstarting local economies in both North and South Carolina.

Alternative fuel use in North Carolina has grown significantly in the past decade. In 2008 alone, North Carolina Clean Cities stakeholders displaced the following gallon gas equivalent (gge): 723,400 gallons from B100; 1,623,975 from E85; 67,803 from CNG; 12,337 from NEVs; 16,271 from HEVs; 399,307 from biodiesel blends (B5 – B50), and 14,361 from LPG. North Carolina formed the NC Biofuels Center with the goal of using at least 10% locally produced biofuel by 2017, and has recently begun several initiatives to prepare for electric vehicles, including participating in the national Project Get Ready and pioneering other local programs. South Carolina is emerging as a leader in alternative transportation fuel infrastructure, fuel consumption, and fuel production in the southeast. In a state of 4.3 million people, South Carolina utilized 73,000,000 gallons of E85, 498,000 gallons of biodiesel, and 40,000 gallons of CNG in 2008. While significant progress has been made in recent years in both Carolinas, there is still more work to be done.

This Initiative will expand alternative fuel infrastructure in North Carolina by nearly 30% and will increase the number of alternative fuels stations by 20% in South Carolina. It will also improve air quality in both states. Currently, 24 counties in North Carolina are in non attainment or maintenance for National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and in South Carolina there will be projects in five of the six counties at risk for non- attainment for ground level ozone.


Projects in South Carolina
Nine organizations in South Carolina will share more than $4.2 million awarded through the South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s State Energy Office to convert vehicles to run on new fuels and to build the state’s network of alternative vehicle refueling stations.

A total of 341 vehicles will be refitted to operate with either propane, compressed natural gas (CNG) or hybrid technology. In addition, 68 refueling stations will be built to service these vehicles, most of which will be available for public use, including ethanol, biodiesel, propane and compressed natural gas facilities.

“These funds will reduce harmful emissions by promoting the use of alternative vehicles and creating jobs in our state,” Andrew Epting of the South Carolina Energy Office said.


Projects in North Carolina

Four North Carolina organizations will dispense nearly $7.8 million to twenty five recipients over the next four years for alternative fueling infrastructure and alternative fueled vehicles. The Triangle J Council of Governments and North Carolina Solar Center in Raleigh, NC, Land of Sky Council of Governments in Asheville, NC, and Centralina Council of Government in Charlotte, NC will all work to purchase or convert 164 vehicles to run on propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), biodiesel and hybrid technology.

The North Carolina projects will also plan to install 96 alternative fueling stations (including 80 charging stations), making biodiesel, propane, electric charging stations, and CNG more available to fleets and customers.


By the Numbers

12,004,175
million dollars to AFV/infrastructure development

3.7 million
Gallons of gasoline displaced per year after full implementation

300+
number of jobs created and retained in NC/SC (over 100 with Federal Funding)

B20 and higher now available in Saxahapaw NC

The Saxahapa General Store is now host to a Piedmont Biofuels tank and biodiesel pump, both part of the Carolina Blue Skies Green Jobs initiative. The station offers blends of B20 and higher, and is available 24 hours per day and open to the public - users must join the Biofuels Cooperative to get their card key (www.biofuels.coop/). With this opening, drivers can fill up on clean, renewable fuel produced in Pittsboro NC.

Lyle Estill from Piedmont Biofuels spoke at the opening, as did State Representative Alice Bordsen and Alamanace County Commissioner Tom Manning.