Are biofuels the silver bullet for the environment? Two recently published journal articles are now arguing, contrary to popular belief, that biofuels are not necessarily the "environmentally friendly choice". In fact, the articles deem biofuels a greenhouse threat, stating that biofuels create more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels. This information comes as a result of new studies focusing on the lands used to grow and the energy input to create these fuels. Timothy Searchinger, lead author of one of the studies and a researcher in environment and economics at Princeton University says, "Previously there's been an accounting error: land use change has been left out of prior analysis." Consequently, with land use change now in the equation, the studies rebut numbers stating, biodiesel reduces greenhouse gases by 50 to 95 percent.
This does not, however, deem the use and production of all biofuels irresponsible - much consideration can be given to this topic - as the Vermont Biofuels Association says in response to these articles, "Biodiesel and other biofuels, especially if produced and consumed locally, are playing an important role in lowering CO2 and other emissions, lessening our demand for foreign oil, and helping our farmland stay open, diverse and productive. It is of the utmost importance that we continue to work together to meet the critical fuel needs of Vermont and do this in a way that is increasingly local and sustainable." Several sources are attacking these articles - follow the story through our sources and add your own comments/ideas. [Sources:
New York Times,
Vermont Biofuels Association,
New Rules,
US DOE]
Oil prices are rising to record levels and the dollar is hurting. What does this mean for Vermont, the U.S., and the rest of the world?On Monday March 3, 2008 the price per barrel of oil surpassed the 1980 record. The price set in April 1980 was $39.50/barrel, equaling $103.76/barrel in today's money after inflation adjustments. The highest trade on March 3rd was $103.95/barrel - $0.19 higher than the 1980 record. Even more, since the beginning of the month the price per barrel has been tagged at more than $110 - a new record price. Vermonters voting on Town Meeting day (March 4, 2008) already expressed concern for rising fuel prices and other transportation related costs. Nevertheless, Global oil consumption is still on the rise and expected to continue to rise by 1.4 million barrels a day for the next year. [Sources: New York Times & Times Argus]
A one dollar investment today makes for a ten dollar savings down the road when investing in Vermont's existing transportation infrastructure. Titled the "Road to Affordability", Neal Lunderville, Vermont's Secretary of Transportation says the Governor's transportation budget meets much required needs. Its objective - repair, rehabilitation, and maintenance - something not just bridge historians are interested in. With a 47% increase in the Governors proposed budget for preservation related activities and an extra $500,000 to address public transit concerns Vermont's transportation future could be on the "right" track to reducing future costs to residents and reducing emissions and pollution that the State would see with the creation of new roads, bridges, and the lack of public transit. But is it enough? The Governors new transportation budget rings in at $424 million with a 4% increase over current spending without a raise in taxes. [Sources: 
CVPS and Green Mountain College target those who cannot drive yet in hopes of teaching the decision makers of tomorrow about today's technologies. The technology: The Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) - an ever more popular alternative vehicle that has, for the past year, been basking in the spotlight here in Vermont and around the U.S. Although, only three PHEVs exist in Vermont - 2 owned by CVPS and 1 by the UVM Transportation Center - they are making a splash in the news and raising the excitement of hopeful conscious consumers and soon to be drivers. The cars get 35 miles on pure electricity from a four hour charge and have an 80 to 70 mpg fuel economy. Already a part of some exciting ongoing research in Vermont, researches have found that these vehicles could make up 1/3 of Vermont's fleet without the state having to build any new power sources. Those conducting the research - CVPS, Green Mountain College, UVM Transportation Center and the students learning about it, most recently a group of Rutland 7th graders are excited to see further results. Skiing is important to me and Global Warming stinks, says one 7th grader! [Source: 
Vermont finds itself ranked nationally on what could be considered a rather unfamiliar, but very appropriate list. Burlington ranked number 42 out of 500 U.S. cities surveyed on their "walkability". Ranked as the top walking city in 
The town of Hinesburg is taking a lead in looking for alternative modes of transportation. Hinesburg Rides - a three-component transportation program concentrated on offering alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle and rides to those in need of transportation - has lifted the new plan off the ground with a volunteer driver program. The program, operating through the local nonprofit Hinesburg Community Resource Center, is also working on setting up a car-pooling and ridesharing base. One of the main objectives of the program is, to not only provide these initial alternatives, but to bring even more alternatives to Hinesburg and the surrounding area by proving that further transit options are used and needed in and around Hinesburg. Hinesburg's two largest employers, Saputo Cheese USA and NRG Systems, are behind the program and one of the hopes is to see a CCTA bus route to Hinesburg in the near future. [Source: 
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 
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 
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: 
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 
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: 
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". 
