Transportation $$$

Several Vermont towns and Connecticut River Transit Inc. received money last week from different funds that will inevitably better Vermont's transportation infrastructure. 21 Vermont towns will receive a total of $2.8 million in community enhancement grants from the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Of 41 applicants Arlington, Bennington, Poultney, Hubbarton, and 17 others were chosen as grant recipients based on their need for money that will go toward infrastructure improvements, including roads, bridges and sidewalks as well as bike and walking paths. Brighton, South Hero, and Wallingford will receive the largest sum of $300,000 each. Connecticut River Transit also recently received a grant of $10,000 from the Vermont Community Foundation. Executive Director of Connecticut River Transit, Gary Fox, says the money will help keep them running with rising fuel prices. [Sources: Rutland Herald, Burlington Free Press, & The Reformer]

Improving Safety for Cyclists

Cyclists may reap benefits from three bills proposed in the Vermont legislature this session. The bills address the vulnerability of cyclists on Vermont roads. If passed the bills would, among other things, create a 3 foot safety buffer around bikers potentially making roads much safer for cyclists and drivers alike. The non-profit organization - Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition - that works to promote biking and walking in Vermont is actively gathering signatures on a petition in support of the law proposed in the three bills - H-577 Vulnerable Users; H-578 and S-275: 3-Foot Law. [Sources: Times Argus]

Is Rail an Option?

Bennington County is seeking new and improved options to transport residents in, around, and out of the southwest corner of Vermont. Ever since Vermont Transit pulled many of their lines out of this region public transportation to places like Brattleboro and Albany, New York has really been lacking, says Sen. Dick Sears of Bennington. Local officials are looking to passenger rail as the most efficient and cost effective public transit option for this region. However, Rep. Timothy Corcoran II of Bennington says at least $40 million will be needed to start a passenger rail line. Getting people in this area to use public transportation will be another difficult issue Bennington County and transit planners may face. [Source: Bennington Banner]

Manchester Looking to Save on Energy

Manchester Vermont's Select Board recently appointed seven members to the town's new energy committee. The committee formed to, among other things, serve as a liaison between the town and Efficiency Vermont will work on a long term energy plan for the town. John O'Keefe town manager and committee member says a lot of work can be done to reduce Manchester's energy consumption including energy consumed in the transportation sector. Already the town has instated an anti-idling policy for town vehicles while the town's fleet uses 20 percent biodiesel fuel. [Source: Bennington Banner]

Rural Broadband May Equal More Telecommuting

A broadband system is set to hit rural Vermont. Modeled after Burlington Telecom's municipal broadband network, East Central Vermont Community Fiber Network is hoping to have 22 rural Vermont towns online by the end of 2009. With commercial broadband providers failing to meet the needs of rural Vermonters this new system could provide much needed economical and cultural development, says Steve Willbanks, chairman of the Strafford Selectboard - a key player in this project. Furthermore, this will open a tremendous opportunity for citizens to telecommute, as the project has been called a life-line for telecommuters in Vermont. [Sources: Burlington Free Press & WiFi New News]

The Impacts of Ethanol

Ethanol has Vermont farmers in a pinch. On top of rising fuel costs, a continuous burden on farmers, grain prices are also rising, cutting into farmers paychecks. China and their increased demand for grains is also part of the issue, but Jim Bushey of Boudreau Bros. a dairy farm in Middlebury says, "Corn is being used in the ethanol business and has put a really severe demand on corn for ethanol into automotive use." Corn futures were under $2 a bushel two years ago while now March futures price has a bushel selling at almost $5. Soybean prices have also doubled in the last year going from $5.60 a bushel to $11.92. [Sources: Times Argus, WCAX, & Earth Policy]

In Other Vermont Transportation News...

Transportation and Energy
"The less traffic we generate, the less surface parking we have to build; the less we have to spend on traffic improvements," says Town Planner Sarah Hadd at the Transportation and Energy dominated Chittenden County Planning Conference. [Source: Burlington Free Press]

Putney's Route 5
The town of Putney may become only the fourth town in Windham County to manage a class 1 highway. There are plans in the works to turn up-keep responsibility of Route 5 over to the town. [Source: The Reformer]

Vermont & Amtrak
Will Iowa pick up a funding and partnership opportunity with Amtrak to test self-propelled passenger rail cars that Vermont was unable to come to terms on with the rail company? [Source: Des Moines Register]

A Glimpse into Transportation at Large...

US Budgeting
The Bush administration is asking Congress for $175 million to combat highway congestion. [Source: Greenwire]

"Feebates"
What if California had a "feebate" law imposing charges and granting rebates based on a vehicle's emissions? [Source: LA Times]

Electric Cars
Israel to have first national infrastructure for electric cars... [Source: Scenta]

Weekly Petro-Stats

Gas at the Pump, VT

This Week (Jan 30 - Feb 6) = $3.090/gallon
Last Week (Jan 22-29) = $3.124/gallon

Crude Oil Futures

This Week (Jan 30 - Feb 6) = $89.77/barrel
Last Week (Jan 22-29) = $89.93/barrel

Sources: Gas VT, Crude Oil

"Go Vermont" in Governor's State of the State

Governor Douglas recently proposed "Go Vermont", what he describes as "a three-pronged approach" to improving transportation in the state. The three points proposed include developing and promoting cleaner burning biofuels, increasing vehicle emission standards, and providing smarter more cost-effective transportation alternatives. Already the state fleet uses 150,000 gallons of biodiesel. Also, the state has increased its investment in public transit from $13 million to more than $21 million a year in the last 5 years - a 65% increase. Nevertheless, the Governor is dedicated to doing more to curb greenhouse gas emissions and save Vermonters money on transportation. Part of his proposal includes creating a database linking commuters to carpools as well as doubling the number of park-and-ride spaces in the state and offering more money to municipal park and ride programs. [Sources: VPR Full Text of Governor's Address, WCAX, Times Argus, Bennington Banner]

VTrans to Receive an Unexpected Gift

The Agency of Transportation gets an unexpected boost in funds. Although $4.3 million short of what the Agency needs for extra money this year due to miscalculated projections on gasoline sales and motor vehicle purchases, $3.7 million was reallocated into the Transportation Fund. State Financial watchdogs discovered that a portion of jet fuel tax revenues had been going to the wrong fund for nearly a decade. The $3.7 million - the total amount misplaced since 1999 - was recently moved from the state's General Fund into its rightful home. [Source: Burlington Free Press]

Safe Routes to School Program Informs Possible Applicants

The Safe Routes to School Program will gain $250,000 in grant funds through VTrans in 2008. Jon Kaplan the program's coordinator with VTrans was in Rutland last week discussing the focus of the group and the positive outcomes of the program - reducing obesity in children, cutting down on traffic congestion, improving air quality. Kaplan was also answering questions about the application process as it is different in this phase due to lessons learned in phase 1 of the program. The current phase of the application process will focus on education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation. To learn more about the application process or parties involved go to www.saferoutesinfo.org. [Sources: Rutland Herald - Article 1 & Article 2]

A Growing Need for Public Transit in the Northeast

Public Transportation is becoming more of a necessity in New England's northern states particularly for the elderly. New Hampshire has already begun looking into boosting their public transit as a rising number of individuals are unable to seek nonemergency medical attention or find ways to the supermarket because of their inability to drive. Although New Hampshire has spent significantly less on public transit per person in state funds, having only spent 17 cents per person in 2005 compared to Vermont's $10.06 and Maine's $1.18, Vermont and Maine - New Hampshire's northern neighbors - also share the concern over the lack of public transit especially in rural areas. [Sources: Sea Coast & Nashua Telegraph]

All Eyes on Anti-Idling

The trucking industry and the EPA have agreed that cutting back on unneeded idling should be a priority. Already, 30 states have some form of anti-idling laws, but truckers complain that it is difficult to keep up with the state-to-state laws. Consequently, a Federal anti-idling law may be much more effective in reducing pollution and greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, asthma, and lung disease as well as in saving the trucking industry a hefty sum of money. Idling trucks can burn up to, and even more than, a gallon of fuel an hour. The trucking industry pays $2.5 billion a year for fuel and engine repair due to long idling. At the same time this idling is releasing 11 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air. [Source: State Legislatures]

Rise in Fuel Prices has People in a Pinch

Significantly high diesel prices have those dependent on the fuel in a pinch. Averaging $3.62 a gallon last month in Vermont diesel is putting extra stress on the state's farmers and other users. The Vermont Transit Co., the states only interstate bus service and a dependent diesel user, is seeing a significant rise in operating costs. Currently, they are paying 50 cents a mile for fuel whereas last year they were paying 32 cents and in 2005 only 23 cents. Chris Andreasson, Vermont Transit Co. general manager says thankfully ridership is up 5 to 15 percent from last year depending on the route. Marble Valley Region Transit District (aka The Bus) has also felt the pressure of rising diesel prices. The Bus uses 150,000 gallons of diesel a year and in attempt to become more environmentally friendly recently made the switch to biodiesel. The downside, however, states spokeswoman for the Bus, Ellen Atkinson, is biodiesel costs 5 cents more per gallon, and although worth it, it is still an additional cost tacked on to already high prices. [Source: Rutland Herald]

Ingenuity & Excitement in Detroit

Detroit may have something new up its sleeve as the excitement at the recent car show has not been quite so high since the SUV was introduced. Companies are now sporting their "green" side boasting energy efficiency. Toyota and General Motors have both announced they will have a plug-in-electric-hybrid (PHEV) in production by 2010. Furthermore, electric vehicles may not be all that far off as the Chevy Volt also looks promising. Innovation in "green" technology is the new name of the game and companies like Johnson Controls are putting their ingenuity to the test looking at new ideas for the crossover-utility-vehicle (CUV) as well as PHEVs - how they may combine luxury, reality and sustainability into the perfect vehicle for the future. Nevertheless, 96% of American cars and trucks still rely on petroleum, demanding 120 billion gallons of it each year. [Sources: CNN, Business Spectator, & CNN Money]

In Other Vermont Transportation News...

Deficient Bridges
Vermont's House Transportation Committee went on a tour of bridges last week in Washington County as 16% of the state's bridges are structurally deficient. With conflicting ideas on solutions to this problem lingering among legislators the Governor's budget priorities may have some answers. [Source: VPR]

Safer for Pedestrians
The town of Dover Vermont is looking into new ways to make roads safer for pedestrians after a 22 year old man was run over by State Police last month. The town is considering adding more street lights for $500 a pole as well as increasing sidewalks for $125 per linear foot. [Source: Brattleboro Reformer]

Rail
Amtrak workers will not go on strike in Vermont or New York. If Amtrak workers had not met a deal with their union, the strike would have shut down all passenger rail in Vermont. All lines - Ethan Allen, Montrealer, and Adirondack - will continue to run. [Source: WCAX]

Weekly Petro-Stats

Gas at the Pump, VT

This Week (Jan 16-22) = $3.15/gallon
Last Week(Jan 8-15) = $3.16/gallon

Crude Oil Futures

This Week (Jan 16-22) = $94.35/barrel
Last Week (Jan 8-15) = $90.35/barrel

Sources: Gas VT, Crude Oil

Fuel Hits $100 a Barrel

The rising cost of fuels has people wondering what advice economists will give them next. The price of oil just recently reached $100 a barrel for the first time. At the pump gas is priced at around $3.19 up 27 percent from last year and diesel at $3.62 up 28 percent. Transportation costs have risen almost 9 percent on top of the rising costs of, among other things, education and housing. [Source: Burlington Free Press]

Town of Waterbury to Join the Biodiesel Bus w/ the Help of Green Mountain Coffee

Stowe may not be ready, but the town of Waterbury has announced that it will begin using biodiesel in some, if not all of its diesel vehicles. Waterbury plans to start using B20 biodiesel this spring in three of the town's trucks. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, located in Waterbury, runs all of its trucks on B20 and has agreed to allow the municipality to use their 10,000 gallon biodiesel tank, installed at their facility last fall, to fill their trucks. The switch will cost the town 1.7 cents more per gallon, but Waterbury's public works director says, it is a small price to pay. Neighboring Stowe has also considered making the switch, but states the economics simply are not right just yet. [Source: Stowe Reporter]

Updated Vermont Biofuels Map

An update to the Vermont Biofuels Map includes biodiesel and ethanol stations. It can be downloaded here.

VT to Join California Lawsuit Against the EPA

Vermont will join California in suing the Environmental Protection Agency over the agency's decision to block California's plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. The waiver, California, Vermont, and at least 14 other states were proposing to pass would reduce tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks, and SUVs by 23 percent by 2012 and 30 percent by 2016. The EPA denied the waiver last month - December. Consequently, Vermont's appeal, announced January 2, comes in response to this denial. If the waiver were to pass the result would be a state fuel-efficiency standard of 36.8 mpg by 2016 - 1.8 gallons higher and four years earlier than the demands of the recently federally signed energy bill. [Source: Burlington Free Press, Washington Post, Times Argus]

Safe Routes to School Accepting Applications

The Vermont Safe Routes to School program is set to begin accepting 2008 applications to assist in the funding of noninfrastructure activities at schools. There is a free informational meeting for all those interested on January 18th at the Rutland Free Library. Already participating schools and schools not yet in the program are welcome to apply. Jon Kaplan, the Safe Routes to School Coordinator for the Agency of Transportation will be at the Jan. 18th meeting explaining the program and answering questions. [Source: Rutland Herald]

Vermont Resident Slides Ahead in Field of Alternative Transport

Steve Crafts provides a creative alternative for those willing to put a twist on their morning commute. Alternative transportation is revered in Vermont by many of the state's citizens, but when biking and walking become difficult in the winter is there another alternative? Steve Crafts has found one using the popular Burlington bike path - now covered with snow - to reduce his carbon footprint, "clear his mind", and above all get him to work. [Source: Burlington Free Press]

Is Rail Vermont's Solution?

The bridges and roads of Vermont have seen there better days. Currently, their are approximately 1,609 town-owned bridges on Vermont's priority list - bridges in need of repair. Furthermore, Vermont bridges listed as structurally deficient rank ninth-worst in the nation in terms of percentages. All of this is costing Vermont quite a bit of money. One of the alternatives is to shift the traffic weight to rail. Although a long term goal, Richard Mazza, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, says he hopes to see a large shift of traffic to rail in the next 4 to 5 years. [Source: Burlington Free Press]

How to Save $ on Commuting

With rising gas prices some find carpooling to be the solution. However, many people do not know where to begin. Where do we meet? What are the true benefits? The Upper Valley Rideshare Program, managed by Vermont and New Hampshire departments of transportation, offers some of the answers to these questions as well as a calculator to determine your travel miles impact on air quality. Joan Clinton the rideshare coordinator discusses the benefits of carpooling further. [Source: Seacoast]

In National Clean Cities News...

The St. Louis Clean Cities Coalition is helping to establish Missouri's first permanent hydrogen fueling station. The station will be built at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. The new station will fuel two Ford E-450 student shuttle buses that currently refuel at a mobile hydrogen station. [Source: Clean Cities]

Weekly Petro-Stats

Gas at the Pump, VT

This Week (Jan 2-8) = $3.14/gallon
Last Week (Dec 12-31) = $3.10/gallon

Crude Oil Futures

This Week (Jan 2-8) = $97.95/barrel
Last Week(Dec 12-31) = $93.36/barrel

Sources: Gas VT, Crude Oil