A report released recently by the Vermont Clean Cities Coalition Vehicle shows that while miles traveled in Vermont are less this year than in the previous three years, expenditures on fuel continues to increase. Hybrid purchases have increased to 3% of all new vehicles purchases, whereas gasoline-only powered vehicles have decreased by 2%. The full report can be viewed here.
Chittenden East Supervisory Union is streamlining bus routes so that they will be driving 25,000 fewer miles this year than the last. They are also making fewer stops per development, having high school students walk to corners, and keeping engines fine-tuned to reduce fuel use.
Nationwide, Amtrak saw 14% more riders in July of this year compared to last year. Passengers on the Vermonter line (St. Albans - Essex Junction - New York City - Washington D.C.) increased 23%. Ridership on the Ethan Allen Express (Rutland - New York City) increased 9%.
Keith Armstrong of Armstrong Farm, on Route 7 straddling Pownal and Bennington, has planted sunflowers so that he can turn its oil into biodiesel for use in his 1973 International Tractor. Armstrong is benefitting from partnering with John Williamson of Stateline Farm, who already has biodiesel-making equipment to process his own biodiesel feedstock crops.
As previously reported, Albany based Innovation Fuels is looking to plant pennycress this fall as a possible biodiesel feedstock. Its ongoing efforts to build biodiesel plants in New York have been frustrated by a lack of a sustainable stream of raw materials, one of the reasons why they are looking into developing pennycress as a local crop.
The National Safe Routes to School Task Force has released its final report that includes recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Congress. The program aims to increase walking and bicycling by schoolchildren to reduce obesity, crash fatalities, and traffic congestion, while improving environmental quality. 
