Last October 2006, the Department of Energy announced the investment of $8.6 million for 16 projects that will expand the use of alternative fuels in vehicles.
It will bring up to $25 million in funding the United states’ alternative fuel program.
These projects were selected under three topics: Refueling Infrastructure for E85 and Alternative Fuels; Incremental Cost for Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Idle Reduction Training and Awareness in School Districts.
“This public-private partnership helps bring diversity of supply to our transportation fuel market,” DOE Secretary Samuel Bodman said.
“We need to integrate a diversity of supplies and a diversity of suppliers in order to reduce our reliance on any one particular type of fuel, or particular supplier. By building our energy infrastructure we create an environment in which American consumers have more choices in the transportation fuel they use.” he added.
The Refueling Infrastructure topic area covers projects that will include new refueling facilities, or additional equipment or upgrades and improvements to existing alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) refueling sites.
In this project, 13 were selected to include the installation of E85 in both converted and new stations. There were also additional projects that will focus on the installation of biodiesel blending facilities to improve the availability and distribution of low-level biodiesel blends.
Two projects, meanwhile, focused on the infrastructure for compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). If succesful, these projects can reduce up to 30 million gallons of petroleum-based fuels.
The Incremental Cost for Alternative Fuel Vehicles topic area will support projects for the incremental cost of placing new or converted highway-certified vehicles. A project for propane-powered vehicles was selected and is expected to reduce up to 100000 gallons per year.
The Idle Reduction Training and Awareness for School Districts,meanwhile, considered the development and implementation of comprehensive school bus driver, student, faculty, and parent education and awareness programs to eliminate or reduce idling in school districts. Two projects were selected under this topic.
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