Thorntons Groupon Promotion - Buy E85 at 50% off

Monday December 27 through Wednesday December 29, Thorntons is sponsoring a promotion on E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) – which is available at 13 Thorntons locations in the Louisville/Southern Indiana area. They have partnered with Groupon, an online coupon and gift card marketer, to allow customers to purchase gift cards online for e85 gasoline at 50% off. Customers can purchase a $20 gift card, that is restricted to e85 fuel purchases, for $10 at www.groupon.com/deals/thorntons-inc-louisville. In addition to the gift card, purchasers will receive a Thorntons FREEquency card preloaded with one free fountain or coffee drink. Limit one gift card purchase per customer.

For a list of E85 Thorntons locations, visit http://www.thorntonsinc.com/Store-Locations.html.

Clean Fuel Tax Credits Passed and Signed by President

Tax legislation approved late Thursday, December 16, represents significant continued investments in alternate fuels and for domestic biofuel production.   

The legislation includeed several provisions to reduce oil dependence by encouraging biofuel production, including one that extends the current 45 cent per gallon tax credit for ethanol through 2011. The bill also extends, through 2011, $1 dollar per gallon tax credits for biodiesel production and diesel fuel created from biomass, as well as a 10 cent per gallon tax credit for agri-biodiesel producers.

It is a great success that the tax credit for alternate fuels, such as Natural Gas and Propane of .$50/gallon also came through, retroactive to January 1. 2010.

The bill also included investments in alternative vehicle refueling infrastructure. The bill extends through 2011 the 30% investment tax credit for infrastructure that supports alternative fuels like ethanol, hydrogen, biodiesel and natural gas.

These reinstated tax credits should lower the cost of alternative fuels throughout Kentucky and serve as a helpful incentive for cleaner domestic fuels.

The President signed the legislation today among many alternative and biofuels supporters.

Mammoth Cave National Park Chosen for Partnership

KCFC long-time member Mammoth Cave National Park was chosen to lead a national partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Park Service in 2010.

This initiative is designed to reduce petroleum use, improve air quality, curb congestion and educate visitors about the advantages of cleaner fuels.

MCNP was chosen as the first participant because of the proven commitment to cleaner fuels. In 1999, MCNP introduced E85 to their fleet and quickly became the first national park fleet in the nation to be 100% powered by clean fuels/technologies. Four additional Propane powered buses, two Propane powered pick up trucks and five Low Speed Electric vehicles are included for MCNP.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks will also participate in the program.

A variety of vehicle technologies are included in the $1.3 million dollar partnership. Propane, Electric, Ethanol (E85) and hybrids will be featured, along with an extensive education component.

Kentucky’s Corn Farmers Support American Ethanol Partnership with NASCAR

More than 50 million NASCAR fans will soon be introduced to the benefits of American corn-based ethanol. Not only will the popular racing organization fuel all 2011 races with E15, a 15 percent corn ethanol blend, but will highlight the renewable fuel as part of a promotional partnership with corn farmers and ethanol supporters.

NASCAR announced yesterday in Las Vegas that it has joined forces with American Ethanol, an ethanol initiative backed by Growth Energy, the National Corn Growers Association and its state affiliate associations, including the Kentucky Corn Growers Association (KyCGA). 

“We are proud to be part of this exciting new venture with NASCAR,” says Jim Barton, chairman of KyCGA’s Promotion Council and corn farmer in Lexington, Ky. “The partnership will allow us to show NASCAR’s fan base that ethanol is not only ‘green’ but can be used in high-performance engines. We also hope to bring more information to the public about how family corn farmers are growing, and will continue to grow enough corn for food, livestock feed and fuel.” 

As part of the multi-year agreement, America Ethanol will be highlighted on every vehicle running in a NASCAR race and be prominent on NASCAR’s Green Flag. In addition, American Ethanol will sponsor a new award for every race, be featured on-site race day events and more. American Ethanol will support drivers, teams and tracks with marketing, promotional activities and advertising. 

“NASCAR and American Ethanol are ideal partners,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “NASCAR is a great American sport in its third generation of family ownership, and ethanol is produced from the harvest of family-owned farms across our country’s heartland.”  

“American Ethanol’s new partnership with NASCAR is much larger and more ambitious than a typical sports sponsorship,” France added. “Here we have an entire industry looking to NASCAR to communicate its message that America is capable of producing its own renewable, greener fuel. The entire NASCAR industry will benefit from American Ethanol’s multi-faceted support of NASCAR, as well as from thousands of farmers and members of the ethanol supply chain now serving as new ambassadors for the sport.” 

Led by Growth Energy, nearly 100 different entities – from individual ethanol plants to Corn Grower Associations to biotech companies – are rallying around NASCAR to communicate their ethanol message. 

“E15 is an enormous opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create U.S. jobs, and strengthen national energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “There is nothing more American than NASCAR, and there is no fuel more American than ethanol. We are so proud that the bounty of American farming will be used in NASCAR racing.” 

For more information, visit www.americanethanolracing.com

kyGREEN.tv features Griffin Industries on Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Segment

Airs Tuesday, December 7

KyGREEN.tv recently launched a new series, Kentucky’s Greenside, where they discovered the behind the scenes green initiatives at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. This series airs online at www.kygreen.tv and on Kentucky Educational Television (KET). The episode featuring Griffin Industries and how they supplied Biodiesel for the WEG will air tomorrow online at http://www.kygreen.tv/channels/kentuckys-greenside/. The next scheduled KET airdate is December 9 at 10:00 p.m. EST on KET1.

Thorntons Offers E85 for 85 Cents on Black Friday

Thorntons is excited to announce that on Black Friday, November 26, 2010 it will sell E85 flex fuel for 85¢ per gallon, from 7AM to 3PM at select locations in Kentucky and Indiana.

In Kentucky, the special price will be offered at the Fern Valley Road location in Louisville (off I-65) and the newest location on Elkhorn Drive in Lexington (off I-75/I-64 Winchester Rd Exit).

E-85 is an alcohol-based fuel, comprised of just 15 percent petroleum. Ethanol can be made from virtually any agriculture feedstock from which starch is derived, such as corn, sugar cane, wheat or milo. Today, the vast majority of domestic ethanol is produced from corn, grown in the Midwest and is an abundant and renewable grain.

E-85 as an alternative fuel has experienced tremendous growth in the last ten years.  The growth is due primarily to the fuel's many benefits as a renewable fuel that helps create a cleaner environment, boosts the U.S. economy and reduces oil imports.

“We are very excited about the expansion of E-85 fuel in our stores and are promotion its availability to raise consumer awareness on savings as well as educating consumers on protecting our environment,” said Matt Thornton, Chief Executive Officer of Thorntons. “We support the use of ethanol, wherever it is economically available."

Emerging Technology Request for Proposals Now Open

EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign has opened a grant competition to solicit applications for approximately $4 million in funding for the DERA Emerging Technology Program. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is posted on the NCDC website - www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/ - and contains details regarding eligibility,  program guidelines, and submission instructions. 

The RFP will be open for approximately 70 days, closing on January 27, 2011. EPA plans to award the grants resulting from this competition in May 2011. 

The Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Funding Assistance Program contains funding dedicated to the deployment of EPA-approved Emerging Technologies. An information session will be held on November 30th, at 3pm EST. Please see the NCDC Grants and Funding website for details.

For all other questions and/or inquiries regarding this RFP, please submit in writing to CleanDiesel@epa.gov, or call 1-877-NCDC-FACTS.

KCFC Welcomes Its Newest Gold Member - Uhl Truck Sales

Uhl Truck Sales is now a member of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition.

With over 50 years of experience in the industry, Uhl Truck Sales has become Southern Indiana and Greater Louisville's hometown center for Medium, Heavy, and Severe Service Trucks.

Uhl Truck Sales is 3 Dealerships strong and will serve your needs with the utmost professionalism and efficiency. If you’re in the market for a new or used truck, or if you’re looking for the most comprehensive list of services available for your business, you’ve come to the right place.

Visit their web site at www.uhltrucksales.com.

Keystop Marathon Truck Center Offers E85 Refueling in Franklin, KY

The Franklin, Ky. Keystop Marathon Truck Center owned by Key Oil Co. opened its E85 refueling dispensers on November 20, giving Kentucky Flex-Fuel Vehicle drivers one more option to fuel up with renewable, American-made ethanol. The refueling station is located off I-65 at Exit 2. This is the 17th location for E85 refueling in the state, but the only retailer selling E85 on I-65 south of Louisville.

View a map of all Kentucky E-85 locations.

KCFC Elects 2011 Officers and Board of Directors

On November 18, 2011 Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition board members and officers were elected:

2011 Officers

President

Tracey Thurman, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government

Vice President

Bill Jacob, UPS

Secretary

Greg Davis, Mammoth Cave Hotel

Treasurer

Vic Peek, LG&E (retired)

2011 Board of Directors

Merritt Becker

Cummins Crosspoint

Darren Patchin

Ferrellgas

Len Dunman

Mercer Transportation

John Lyons

KY Division of Air Quality

Laura Knoth

KY Corn Growers Association

Thomas Clark

Eaton

Mike Mulheirn

Jefferson County Public Schools

Nancy Cox

University of Kentucky

Fred Byrd

Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center

Kristina Anderson

KY Department of Energy Development and Independence

Dickie Turner

Murray State University

Mark Cahill

Bluegrass International

Eddie Coleman
Green Fuels Holding

Governor Beshear announces Clean Diesel funding for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Project will reduce emissions of air pollutants in Fayette County

Gov. Steve Beshear announced November 10 that the Kentucky Division for Air Quality (DAQ) has awarded the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) $204,947 to reduce diesel emissions from its waste-hauling fleet.  The funds were made available through the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA).

“This innovative step by the leadership of Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government  to green their fleet and reduce air pollution in the area is an example of what government and individuals can do to enhance the air quality of all of Kentucky,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “These kinds of voluntary measures benefit both public health and economic development.”

“Reducing diesel emissions from a portion of our truck fleet is one of many steps we have taken to improve our environment,” Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry said. “Improving the environment has been a top priority of this administration, with the goal of leaving the environment in better condition than we found it. We have taken many steps toward that goal, and appreciate Governor Beshear’s support of the steps we are taking today."

The project will retrofit 15, 2006 model-year refuse trucks with diesel particulate filters, reducing tail pipe emissions of particulate matter by nearly 90 percent. Particulate matter is linked to increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other serious health problems.  Diesel engines manufactured before 2008 emit high levels of this black, sooty pollutant.

A diesel particulate filter replaces the muffler of the vehicle, trapping most of the fine particulate pollution before it can escape out the tailpipe.  Retrofitting waste-hauling equipment generates net benefits for a large number of an area’s inhabitants, as those vehicles travel on a large percentage of the area’s roads.  Waste haulers also make frequent stops and starts, which increase emissions. The grant will also be used to purchase and install a diesel particulate filter cleaning system that will be used to clean the filters of the entire fleet of refuse haulers.

“We encourage all Kentucky cities and counties to begin considering how they might address emission from their diesel and light-duty fleets,” said John Lyons, director of DAQ.  “With tighter air quality standards on the horizon, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has proven its commitment to clean air by implementing diesel emission control technology in its fleet.  By taking steps now to reduce air pollution, local governments can be ready to meet those new standards”, said Lyons.

Retrofits, repowers, refueling with alternative fuels such as biodiesel or ethanol, purchasing vehicles with good fuel economy, and implementing idle reduction policies are all means to reduce emissions from fleet vehicles, according to Lyons.

Additional funding for diesel reduction projects is currently available through the Kentucky Division for Air Quality until Nov. 23.  Details can be found by visiting the division’s website at air.ky.gov or by calling 1-800-928-0047.

TARC Awarded $9 Million in Federal Grants

Portion will Fund Eight Additional Hybrid Buses

TARC announced at the end of October that it will receive $9 million to buy eight hybrid buses, install an electronic fare collection system and make energy efficiency improvements at its historic Union Station headquarters in Louisville, under federal grants approved this month.

TARC’s fleet of environmentally-friendly buses will increase to 29 with the arrival of eight new hybrid-electric buses funded through the FTA’s Clean Fuels Bus and Bus Facilities Program. The buses will replace diesel-fueled buses that are 12 years old and have traveled an average of 475,000 miles. 

The hybrid buses are more fuel efficient, easier to maintain and offer a smoother ride than older diesel-fueled buses. A hybrid bus saves on average 2,000 gallons of fuel a year compared to older buses.  At current diesel prices the fuel savings would total $36,000 a year.

Read more

Griffin Industries Sold for $840 Million

KCFC member Griffin Industries, of Cold Spring, Ky., has agreed to be purchased by Darling International Inc. for $840 million in cash and stock.

The deal, expected to closed by year-end, will create the nation’s largest provider of animal rendering, food recycling and recovery services with annual revenues of $1.1 billion, 3,262 employees and 136 sites across the United States.

The purchase includes $740 million in cash and $100 million in Darling stock, which closed at up 11.9 percent or $1.23 at $11.53, a two-year high.

Randall C. Stuewe, Darling chairman and CEO, said in a statement, "The combination of our two companies fills out our national footprint and gives us the ability to better serve our customers from coast to coast."

Read the full story at nky.com.