The University of Vermont Transportation Center (UTC) received a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) from Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) to conduct studies on the new technology here in our hilly cold climate state. The keys to the Toyota Prius, converted by Hymotion (a Toronto based company) to run as a PHEV with household plug-in ability, were turned over to UVM President Daniel Fogel by President Bob Young of CVPS February 21st. Both Presidents, Governor Jim Douglas, and UTC Director Dr. Lisa Aultman-Hall spoke about their excitement to test this new technology and how it may curb dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. Already PHEVs have been found to have 30% lower carbon emissions than regular hybrids. With the UTC in possession of this unique vehicle more tests and research are to be conducted on the vehicle's emissions, performance, and how a fleet of these cars would impact Vermont's grid. Already, Phase 1 of the PHEV, study conducted by the UTC and partners, found that under the right circumstances Vermont's grid could support a fleet of 200,000 plug-in hybrids. Having the vehicle will allow the UTC to further test these findings moving into Phase 2 of the PHEV research. For more information and to view the Phase 1 PHEV report go to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=79pqikcab.0.0.78995ccab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uvm.edu%2F%257Etransctr%2F&id=preview. [Sources: WCAX, VPR, UVM Communications]
Plug 'n Go
The University of Vermont Transportation Center (UTC) received a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) from Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) to conduct studies on the new technology here in our hilly cold climate state. The keys to the Toyota Prius, converted by Hymotion (a Toronto based company) to run as a PHEV with household plug-in ability, were turned over to UVM President Daniel Fogel by President Bob Young of CVPS February 21st. Both Presidents, Governor Jim Douglas, and UTC Director Dr. Lisa Aultman-Hall spoke about their excitement to test this new technology and how it may curb dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. Already PHEVs have been found to have 30% lower carbon emissions than regular hybrids. With the UTC in possession of this unique vehicle more tests and research are to be conducted on the vehicle's emissions, performance, and how a fleet of these cars would impact Vermont's grid. Already, Phase 1 of the PHEV, study conducted by the UTC and partners, found that under the right circumstances Vermont's grid could support a fleet of 200,000 plug-in hybrids. Having the vehicle will allow the UTC to further test these findings moving into Phase 2 of the PHEV research. For more information and to view the Phase 1 PHEV report go to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=79pqikcab.0.0.78995ccab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uvm.edu%2F%257Etransctr%2F&id=preview. [Sources: WCAX, VPR, UVM Communications]
Log your Utility Miles!
Even in the dead of the winter cycling is an alternative to unnecessary car miles. Vermont has a growing community of cyclists that are pushing for people to get out of their cars and for the growth of pedestrian and bike friendly pathways. Shelburne residents, for instance, went to the polls on Town Meeting Day to vote on a $1.1 million bond for the construction of recreational paths, bike lanes and new sidewalks. The Green Mountain Bicycle Club is looking at utility miles - bike miles spent for anything other than pleasure or exercise (i.e. commuter miles) to see how useful getting in the car truly is. Steve Barner a club member and individual baffled by why people depend on their cars for short distance trips added 200 utility miles to the clubs running total in January alone. The club and its member hope to act as a model for others - influencing more people to get out of their cars. From August to December the utilities hours logged by the club saved 1 ton of carbon dioxide according to an online calculator at mycyclinglog.com. [Sources: Burlington Free Press Article 1 & Article 2]
Biofuels: A Hot Topic
With the New York Times article, "Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat" plenty of questions have hit the surface on the impact of biofuels. Consequently, the debate continues. In Vermont biodiesel and other biofuel production is quite promising says, Netaka White, executive director of Vermont Biofuels Association and chairman of Renewable Energy Vermont's Biofuels Working Group. If done in a sustainable manner on a local scale with consideration paid to the environment in which these fuels are to be produced (i.e. Corn based Ethanol has no place in Vermont) biofuel production could have very positive environmental and economic impacts. Vermont on-farm research being conducted over the past 2 years has now given us the information needed to project that over the next 10 years, using sustainable rotation practices on just 16% of our cropland, Vermont could grow enough oilseeds to replace all diesel used in our agriculture sector (6.4 million gallons per year) and more than 50% of the imported protein livestock feed for our dairies, states White. Furthermore, the Vermont Senate is considering a bill to legalize the growth and sale of industrial hemp - a seed crop with a very high yield and an efficient source of biodiesel and other valuable products. It is guaranteed that the dialog on biofuels is far from over. [Sources: Rutland Herald, Times Argus, Addison Independent]
Check out the Greenest Cars of 2008!
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy recently released a list of the 12 Greenest Cars sold in America. Of the 12 only one, the Ford Focus, was made domestically. Two cars were European made and the rest by Japanese automakers. The Washington-based non-profit group's top pick based on measures including tailpipe emissions, greenhouse gases, fuel economy and consideration given to the environmental impacts of manufacturing was the Honda Civic GX. A unique and uncommon car on the market - Honda sells about 100 a year - runs on compressed natural gas. The Toyota Prius received the second place spot. For the complete list visit greenercars.org, the council also lists the years top polluters. [Sources: New York Times & EE News]
Senator Talks Serious Rail for Vermont
Senator Dick Mazza a member of the Vermont Senate Transportation Committee says rail is and should be an integral part of Vermont's transportation mix. VTrans recognizes that tractor trailer trucks can do up 10,000 times the damage of a passenger vehicle to the state's roads, many of which are in dire need of repair. One rail car could remove this damage by 3 times as it can carry the load of three tractor trailers. The Senator states that Intercity passenger rail is also very important to Vermont as the Amtrak line to Washington D.C. from St. Albans experienced a 16.6% increase in ridership in the last year and the Ethan Allen service from Rutland to New York City a 3% ridership growth. Senator Mazza is convinced that the five-year-rail plan concentrated on improving infrastructure, funding, etc. will secure a "robust" rail system to welcome the next generation of "transportation challenges". [Source: Champlain Islander]
The Battle over Emissions Continues
A new California study says vehicle-tailpipe standards blocked by the U.S. EPA would reduce 150% more greenhouse gas emissions by 2016 than new federal CAFE standards. The "combined emissions benefit" in California and the 12 other states including Vermont that have adopted the standards blocked by the EPA would be 120% greater than the federal rules in 2016 and 89% better in 2020. Even more, if the California vehicle greenhouse-gas rules were instated nationwide they would be 109% better by 2016 and 85% better by 2020 than the new federal rules. Also, top U.S. officials, including many in the EPA, say they strongly oppose Administrator Stephen Johnson's decision to block the waiver that would allow these standards. Barbara Boxer, Environment and Public Works chairwoman, added that this decision depicts the EPA as an "agency in crisis". View Report. [Sources: EE News Article 1 & Article 2]
In Other Vermont Transportation News...
New Buses promises SandersSenator
Sanders pledges to improve Vermont's public transit. [Source: WCAX]
Governor meets with Bush on Energy
Governor Douglas talks energy and the need to reduce vehicular consumption of foreign oil with President Bush. [Source: WCAX]
Vermont and High Priced Crude Oil
Prices for crude oil hit record high - above $102 a barrel. How does it affect Vermonters? [Sources: EE News & Times Argus]
Sanders pledges to improve Vermont's public transit. [Source: WCAX]
Governor meets with Bush on Energy
Governor Douglas talks energy and the need to reduce vehicular consumption of foreign oil with President Bush. [Source: WCAX]
Vermont and High Priced Crude Oil
Prices for crude oil hit record high - above $102 a barrel. How does it affect Vermonters? [Sources: EE News & Times Argus]
A Glimpse into Transportation at Large...
Plug-in Hybrids not the right answer?
Plug-in Hybrids will undoubtedly cut U.S. gasoline use. Nevertheless, these cars could increase pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in some places. Along with the PHEV studies being conducted at the University of Vermont, Seattle City Light (a public utility) has just announced their plans to test and monitor the impacts of 13 Toyota Prius Plug-ins. [Sources: USA Today & Seattle Times]
Biofuels still on a roll & still more concerns
California to increase Ethanol fueling stations, but the International Association of Fire Chiefs says fire departments in the U.S. are not prepared to put out car fires fueled by Ethanol and other biofuels. Also, Virgin Atlantic completes it first test flight of a Boeing 747-400 running on 25% biofuels in an unmodified engine. [Sources: LA Times, Kansas City Star, & New York Times]
Here comes the Ethanol!
A $186 million Ethanol factory - the largest in the world has opened in South Bend, Indiana. [Source: Mother Earth News]
Plug-in Hybrids will undoubtedly cut U.S. gasoline use. Nevertheless, these cars could increase pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in some places. Along with the PHEV studies being conducted at the University of Vermont, Seattle City Light (a public utility) has just announced their plans to test and monitor the impacts of 13 Toyota Prius Plug-ins. [Sources: USA Today & Seattle Times]
Biofuels still on a roll & still more concerns
California to increase Ethanol fueling stations, but the International Association of Fire Chiefs says fire departments in the U.S. are not prepared to put out car fires fueled by Ethanol and other biofuels. Also, Virgin Atlantic completes it first test flight of a Boeing 747-400 running on 25% biofuels in an unmodified engine. [Sources: LA Times, Kansas City Star, & New York Times]
Here comes the Ethanol!
A $186 million Ethanol factory - the largest in the world has opened in South Bend, Indiana. [Source: Mother Earth News]
Weekly Petro-Stats
Gas at the Pump, VT
This Week (Feb 26 - March 2) = $3.188/gallon
Last Week (Feb 20 - 25) = $3.163/gallon
Crude Oil Futures
This Week (Feb 26 - March 2) = $101.24/barrel
Last Week (Feb 20 - 25) = $99.25/barrel
This Week (Feb 26 - March 2) = $3.188/gallon
Last Week (Feb 20 - 25) = $3.163/gallon
Crude Oil Futures
This Week (Feb 26 - March 2) = $101.24/barrel
Last Week (Feb 20 - 25) = $99.25/barrel
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