Kentucky Companies Benefit from a Portion of $44 Million Advanced Biofuel Bump from USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in October $44.6 million in payments for 156 advanced biofuel producers across the country to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels.

"This funding will help local producers increase the production and availability of renewable energy and thus help our nation begin to reduce its reliance on foreign oil," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Just as importantly, USDA's support will help to further develop the nation's growing biofuels industry and generate green jobs and economic growth."

The funding is being provided through USDA's Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels program, which makes payments to eligible producers to support and ensure the expanding production of advanced biofuels. Payments are based on the amount of biofuels a recipient produces from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. Eligible examples include biofuels derived from cellulose; crop residue; animal, food and yard waste material; biogas (landfill and sewage waste treatment gas); vegetable oil, and animal fat. Through this and other programs, USDA is working to support the research, investment and infrastructure necessary to build a biofuels industry that creates jobs and conserves natural resources across America, officials say.

For example, in Dubuque, IA, Western Dubuque Biodiesel LLC received a $487,871 payment. This biodiesel production facility produces 30 million gallons per year using soybean oil, canola oil and tallow esters as feedstock. And in Kinsale, VA, the Potomac Supply Corporation received a $36,530 payment for producing two types of advanced biofuels: fuel pellets and dry kiln. Both are made from clean pine chips, sawdust and shavings feedstock. The department says the payment to the two facilities helped save a total of 28 jobs.

Kentucky companies that will receive USDA funding:

•     Griffin Industries, Inc.: $86,099.81 for Biofuel From Waste Products.
•     Owensboro Grain Company, LLC: $1,026,463.07 for Biodiesel Trans Esterification.
•     Somerset Hardwood Flooring: $49,449.09 for Pellets.
•     Southern Kentucky Pellet Mill, Inc. : $6,572.64 for Pellets.

For more information, visit the USDA's news release web page.

Kroger Opens E85 Fueling in Newport

Northern Kentucky residents now have a third location to fill their Flex Fuel Vehicles with E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) - the Kroger at 130 Pavilion Parkway in Newport. E85Prices.com reports that they were selling E85 last week for $2.68, 21% less than gasoline.

Hybrid Electric School Bus Joins Fleet in Crittenden County

(Marion, KY) – Crittenden County Schools in Marion, KY took delivery of their first new hybrid electric school bus today, and expect to reap fuel savings benefits throughout the new school year and beyond.

As the hybrid electric joins the Crittenden fleet of 35 buses, Superintendent  Dr. Rachel Yarborough noted, “Our school district has continued to seek ways to be as efficient as possible with resources. The new hybrid bus that is now added to our fleet underscores our commitment to seek innovative solutions to energy efficiency.” 

The new bus, manufactured by International Bus, was delivered to Dr. Yarborough and Transportation Director Al Starns, by Mark Cahill, Bluegrass International.  District bus drivers, mechanics, and first responders were all trained highlighting best operational practices for the hybrid-electric system. 

 

The bus uses an Eaton Hybrid System, a regenerative system that puts power back into the hybrid battery when the driver applies the brake.  Stop and start routes that generally do not exceed 50 mph provide the best performance for the hybrid system.  Hybrid electric buses already in operation across the state are seeing 30% or greater fuel savings. 

Thirty-two school districts across Kentucky currently operate 157 hybrid electric buses. Kentucky is home to the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the nation.  Over 200 hybrid buses will be purchased with the 12.9 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded in December 2009. The Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition wrote and submitted the grant, working with the Kentucky Department of Education.  The KCFC is a non profit organization.

Performance data for these hybrid school buses is being gathered by the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, a non-profit organization that administers the grant with the Kentucky Department of Education.

Find data at http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/.

KCFC's Melissa Howell Inducted into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame

The Clean Cities Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to the Clean Cities mission of reducing petroleum use in U.S. transportation. Inductees are ambassadors for alternative fuels and champions for fuel economy. Their exemplary dedication and leadership are paving the way for a new transportation future.

Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director Melissa Howell was inducted in 2011, the Hall of Fame's inaugural year.

Melissa Howell is a cornerstone of Clean Cities. She has been with the program since its beginning in 1993, when she helped found Kentucky's Commonwealth Clean Cities Partnership. Ever the consummate professional, Howell's dedication to reducing petroleum use in transportation has weathered all manner of political and economic conditions. Howell is known for her persistence in inspiring fleets to action, and she brought several high-profile stakeholders to the alternative-fuel table, including Mammoth Cave National Park, Fort Knox military base, UPS, and the World Equestrian Games. And thanks to Howell's leadership, thousands of children across the state of Kentucky ride to school on hybrid electric and biodiesel buses.

Howell is the original Clean Cities mentor, having coached new coordinators to success long before a formal mentorship program was established. She is always willing to share her vast experience and knowledge with other coalitions to reinvigorate stalled projects and instill confidence in rising leaders. Howell's impressive body of work with Clean Cities makes her the example other coordinators seek to follow.

In 2008, Howell was named Clean Cities Coordinator of the Year, and in 2005, she received the Southeast Region Award.

See all of the Clean Cities Hall of Fame inductees - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/hall_of_fame.html

KCFC Welcomes New Member - Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research

The Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research conducts and facilitates R&D on potentially commercializable renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The Center promotes partnerships among the state's colleges and universities, private industries, and non-profit organizations to actively pursue federally and privately funded research and development resources that are dedicated to renewable energy solutions, including:

• Advanced Energy Materials Manufacturing
• Solar Energy Conversion
• Renewable Energy Storage
• Biofuels/Biomass Conversions
• Energy Efficiency & Conservation

By engaging and utilizing Kentucky's workforce and natural resources, the Center's ongoing goal is to seek outcomes that enhance global energy and economic security and maintain US technological leadership in developing and deploying advanced energy technologies. The Conn Center leads research that increases homegrown energy sources to meet the national need while reducing energy consumption and dependence on foreign resources.

The Conn Center is focused on developing technologies for converting biomass to useful fuels and chemicals. Specifically, the center is interested in lipid and cellulosic biomass conversions to transportation fuels and chemicals. Such capabilities will bring Kentucky new private investors to build plants that process biofuels utilizing our research expertise and innovations.

Conn Center website: http://conncenter.org/

Thirty-Four More Hybrid Schools Buses Join Kentucky Fleets

The Kentucky Department of Education announced the latest round of school districts across the Commonwealth that will receive Hybrid Electric School Busses, as part of a federal grant program.

Barren County - 1
Bath County - 2
Breathitt County - 4
Bullitt County - 5
Garrard County - 1
Jefferson County - 18
Madison County - 2
Meade County - 1

Hybrid school buses are now operating in 35 school districts logging nearly 400,000 miles. Districts are seeing significant fuel savings over their traditional diesel powered buses.

The buses are manufactured by ThomasBuilt and International and operate with an Eaton parallel hybrid system.

Learn more about the program at http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/resources/hybridhorsepower.htm.

Hybrid School Bus Joins Fleet in Hart County

(Munfordville, KY) September 21, 2011 – Hart County Schools in Munfordville, KY took delivery of their first new hybrid electric school bus last week, and expect to reap fuel savings benefits throughout the new school year and beyond.

"We are excited to be adding a hybrid electric bus to our fleet in Hart County.  We strive to offer cutting edge technology in every aspect of our student's education, and this is another way we can do that as well as reduce fuel costs and save money in this challenging economic time" said Hart County Superintendent Ricky Line.

The new bus, manufactured by International Bus, was delivered to Superintendent Line and Transportation Director Daniel Hawkins, by Mark Cahill, Bluegrass International (in photo attached).  District bus drivers, mechanics, and first responders were all trained highlighting best operational practices for the hybrid-electric system. 

The bus uses an Eaton Hybrid System, a regenerative system that puts power back into the hybrid battery when the driver applies the brake.  Stop and start routes that generally do not exceed 50 mph provide the best performance for the hybrid system.  Hybrid electric buses already in operation across the state are seeing 30% or greater fuel savings. 

Thirty-five school districts across Kentucky currently operate 126 hybrid electric buses. Kentucky is home to the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the nation.  Over 200 hybrid buses will be purchased with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded in December 2009. 

Performance data for these hybrid school buses is being gathered by the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, a non-profit organization that administers the grant with the Kentucky Department of Education.

Find data at: http://www.kycleanfuels.org/