U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu Commends KCFC Efforts

Secretary Steven Chu approved of KCFC's efforts to reduce foreign oil dependency across Kentucky in an article on Tuesday June 13th. After confirming that President Barrack Obama has a long-term plan to reduce oil imports by one third, he pointed out that meeting such a goal will require the help of cities and states, not just the federal government.

He credited the Clean Cities Program nationwide for saving nearly 3 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel since its launch 18 years ago. Citing he Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools Program and Mammoth Cave National Park's efforts, he praised KCFC specifically for saving 38 million gallons of gasoline from 2005 to 2009, and developing a number of partnerships to transform Kentucky fleets into greener, more fuel efficient vehicles.

“By working together through programs such as the Clean Cities initiative, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help protect Kentucky families from pain at the pump,” says Secretary Chu.

ASTM Approves Biofuel Specification For Jet Fuel

June 13, 2011 – The ASTM International Committee on Petroleum Products and Lubricants approved a new specification that could allow biofuel blends to power commercial flights.

"Once finalized, the new specification will enable use of biofuel blends comprised of up to 50% by fuel generated from feedstocks such as camelina, jatropha or algae,” says US FAA Administrator Randy Babbit. "We anticipate publication of a standard in the next few weeks will open the door for production of commercial aviation biofuels that can be used without changing aircraft systems or airport fueling infrastructure."

The U.S. Air Transport Association anticipates the final issuance of the specification by August 2011.

Senate Votes to Keep Ethanol Subsidy on Tuesday, Repeals it on Thursday

On Tuesday June 13th the U.S. Senate voted 40-59 in favor of allowing the $5 billion annual subsidy on ethanol to expire at the end of this year. On Thursday, however, they voted to immediately repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit.

Opponents of the subsidy expressed concern about the deficit and suggested that the subsidy be either eliminated immediately or phased out over several years. Advocates of the subsidy emphasize the need to reduce foreign oil dependency.

White House spokesman Clark Stevens said President Barack Obama opposed the elimination of the subsidy but was “open to new approaches that meet today’s challenges and save taxpayers money.”

The Kentucky Corn Growers Association, a KCFC member, posted this statement from the National Corn Growers Association:

The National Corn Growers Association expressed severe disappointment today that the Senate allowed petty politics to trump prudent policy in the fight for the future of the ethanol industry. The passage of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's amendment to immediately repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit represents a tax increase on fuel that will kill jobs in rural America and hit all consumers in the pocketbook, NCGA said.

The ethanol industry supports more than 400,000 U.S. jobs, contributing more than $56 billion each year to the nation's economy and $11 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue.

Also Thursday, the Senate rejected a proposed amendment by Sen. John McCain that would have prevented the U.S. Department of Agriculture from providing grants for blender pumps.This is good news because blender pumps provide options for those with flex-fuel vehicles and can help the ethanol industry grow in the years to come.

Greening Your Fleet Conference Held at Belterra Resort

The Greening Your Fleet Conference was held on Wednesday June 8^th and Thursday June 9^th at the Belterra Resort in Florence, IN. Eighty attendees heard updates from the natural gas, propane, hybrid electric, electric, biodiesel and ethanol markets. Ride and Drives for various alternative fuels/advanced technology vehicles were held after each conference session.  

One of the founding members of the KCFC,

Bill Calvert shares his expertise of CNG.

KCFC board member and UPS Vice President Bill Jacob shares updates on the company's green initiatives.

Eddie Coleman, KCFC board member 

from Green Fuels Holding looking 

under the hood of the electric ENER1.

Tim Hughes, KCFC board member from KY Dept of Energy looking at the Roush LPG Pick Up.

KCFC President Tracey Thurman getting ready 

to test drive the Chevy Volt with Communications 

Specialist Lindsey Duffy along for the ride.

         

KCFC President Tracey Thurman from Lexington-Fayette County Government and Tim Hughes "thinking" about the LPG van.

Hybrid Electric School Buses Delivered to Bath, Mercer, and Montgomery Counties

Mark Cahill of Bluegrass International 
presents official key to the two hybrid electric 
school buses delivered June 1
to Mercer County Superintendent 
Chuck Hamilton.

Four more hybrid electric school buses were delivered to Bath, Mercer, and Montgomery Counties this past week. Mercer County had two hybrid buses join its fleet of 68 traditional school buses on Wednesday June 1st in Harrodsburg, KY.  

"In Mercer County we not only view the arrival and use of our hybrid buses from an environmental and economic advantage, we see it as an educational commitment to our community by investing in the message we preach on lessening our carbon footprint for the preservation of future generations," says Superintendent Chuck Hamilton.

Mark Cahill of Bluegrass International (left), 
Superintendent Nancy Hutchinson (center) 
and Transportation Director Burnsie Stewart (right)  

celebrate the arrival of their first hybrid electric 
school bus, with Bath County Schools drivers 
and technicians onThursday June 2 in Owingsville.

One hybrid electric school bus was delivered to Bath County schools in Owingsville, KY on Thursday June 2nd. The bus joined Bath County's fleet of 40 traditional school buses.

"Bath County School District is very excited about this innovative green technology which allows us to be a part of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition.  As the future unfolds Bath County will continue exploring new energy saving resources," says Superintendent Nancy Hutchinson.

 Montgomery County received its first hybrid electric school bus to join its fleet of and Montgomery Counties each received one. The keys to the hybrid buses, produced by the International School Bus Factory, were presented to the Superintendent of each school district by Mark Cahill, Bluegrass International. 

Mark Cahill of Bluegrass International delivers the key to

Montgomery County's first hybrid electric school bus to

Superintendent Daniel Freeman Friday June 3.

"We have been anticipating the hybrid bus' effectiveness in reducing fuel costs and helping to protect the environment, and are excited to evaluate its performance," says Superintendent Daniel Freeman.

Cycle Three Hybrid School Bus Awards Announced

Twenty-five more hybrid school buses have been awarded in the latest round of applications for funding assistance. The Kentucky Department of Education has received approximately $12.98 million in funding for project proposals from school districts to purchase approximately 213 diesel/electric hybrid school buses. Funds from this grant will support a number of school districts as they provide safe transportation while reducing emissions and lowering fuel consumption.

So far 99 buses have been awarded to 34 counties in the first two cycles of the grant's dispersal. Districts receiving buses in the third round are:

Breathitt County - 3
Crittenden County - 1
Kenton County - 3
LaRue County - 2
McCreary County - 1
Pike County - 15

Hybrid Electric School Buses Delivered to Madison County and Williamstown Independent

Four new hybrid electric school buses capable of improving fuel efficiency an average of 35% have joined Madison County’s fleet of 176 traditional school buses. Keys to the new hybrid buses were presented to Superintendent Tommy Floyd by Jeff Niblock of Whayne Supply in Richmond, KY on May 5, 2011.

“We are excited about introducing these hybrid buses into our fleet. We know the value they will add to the current efforts we are making in the area of energy efficiency and conservation district wide,” says Superintendent Floyd.

Williamstown Independent also took a delivery of their first two new hybrid electric school buses.  The buses were delivered on Friday, May 6th.