MEA Biofuels Grant Program Update
 The Biofuels Grant Program was developed as a way to increase the
access to and usage of biofuels (E85/biodiesel) by Maryland
consumers by providing funds to support the installation costs for
biofuel refueling infrastructure at commercial refueling stations.
The program has a total of $100,000 available. The first round ended
November 15, 2006 and resulted in two projects being funded. Cato
Oil & Gas will install B20 fueling at two locations in Salisbury
which are expected to result in over 600,000 gallons of annual B20
sales.
The remaining $75,000 is likely to be made available in a second
round of funding that will open in July 2007.
Click here for more information on the MEA Biofuels Program Update.
Underwriters Laboratory Delisting of E85 Pumps
On October 5th the Underwriters Laboratories suspended their
certification of fuel dispensing components when those components
are used with alcohol blended fuels (such as ethanol) in blends
greater than 15%. The current UL Standard 87 and safety requirement
pertains to dispensing equipment used with petroleum products such
as gasoline and diesel, but not for high-concentration alcohol fuels
like E85. The concern is the potentially higher corrosiveness of
alcohol relative to petroleum fuels and how this corrosion impacts
the equipment safety. UL acknowledges that no safety issues, field
incidents, or documentation of equipment corrosion has been
attributed to E85. UL held a forum with industry experts in November
2006 to discuss the matter and to gather technical data that will be
used to develop the final standard. In the interim, many state
legislatures have allowed the continued use of dispensers with E85
while the issue is resolved.
Click here for more information on the UL Delisting of E85 Pumps.
Ethanol Demand Inflames Grain Market
The demand for corn (primarily from increased ethanol production)
caused corn, soybean, and wheat prices to explode in early January
2007. This occurred following news that corn stockpiles were quickly
shrinking after the USDA reported last fall’s corn harvest was lower
than expected. This caused corn prices to hit a 10-year high. This
is good news for growers, but bad news for some users (like
livestock feed users of corn) since they are not seen as the
priority.
Click here for the complete story.
Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)
 A PHEV is essentially a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) with a larger
battery pack that allows the vehicle to operate for a much longer
distance than a conventional hybrid vehicle on the energy stored in
the battery pack. The battery is discharged while being used and is
fully recharged using a typical wall outlet, ideally during off-peak
periods where there is available capacity and potentially lower
rates.
There are many reasons for considering PHEVs.
- They can dramatically increase fuel economy, decreasing the
petroleum use on long trips.
- Potentially eliminate petroleum use for short trips such as
commuting to work.
- The cost of electricity is roughly 25% of gasoline.
One of the main issues with PHEVs is that the batteries are
currently very expensive and the useful life is unknown for the use
pattern of a PHEV, since this pattern is significantly different
than a HEV.
Click here for more information on PHEVs.
New Year Ushers In New Era of Clean Diesel Trucks
2007 marks a major goal in reducing the emissions from diesel
vehicles with the implementation of much stricter exhaust emissions
standards. Particulate matter emissions are reduced by 90% and
significantly lower NOx emissions. Manufacturers have shown that
they are able to meet these standards. A huge time and monetary
investment was needed on the manufacturers and suppliers side to
develop the technology. These results would not have been possible
without the new ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel and the
modification to the entire petroleum production and distribution
network.
Click here for the complete Diesel Technology Forum press release.
Light-Duty Hybrid Update
The Orange County, Los Angeles, and North American International
Auto Shows had several light-duty hybrid vehicle releases including:
- 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
- 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line (Mild-Hybrid) – Front-Wheel Drive
- 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- 2008 Ford Escape / Mercury Mariner / Mazda Tribute Hybrid
- 2008 Ford Fusion Hybrid / Mercury Milan
- 2008 Saturn Aura Green Line
- 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line (Dual-Mode) – Front-Wheel Drive
- 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line (Dual-Mode) – Four-Wheel Drive
Click here for more detailed information on the new light-duty
hybrid vehicle. |
