State, Federal Government Biodiesel Grants
A number of grants have been issued by U.S. federal and state government agencies to encourage the use of biodiesel fuel. Such grants have been received by educational programs for promoting the implementation of biodiesel and projects for distributing or producing this type of fuel.
Government agencies which have issued biodiesel grants include the U.S. Department of Energy, the Dept. of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Michigan Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth, and the Ohio Dept. of Development. According to epa.gov, the EPA issued a $75,000 grant to organizations in California so that a project to convert waste vegetable oil from restaurants into biodiesel could be carried out. Another report, on energy.gov, indicates that the governor of Kentucky’s Office of Energy Policy awarded a $25,000 grant in April 2007 to two suppliers, both conducting projects to store and distribute this type of fuel.
There are many other examples of such grants being issued by the government. As reported by michigan.gov, the state government provided a grant of $24,500 to the Capital Area Producers Cooperative in 2004, to be used toward the purchase of two tanker trucks intended for the transport of biodiesel to farms in the area. A news story on deltafarmpress.com states that the USDA released grants totaling $960,000 to organizations involved in educating businesses and government agencies which possess fleets of vehicles, as well as the public in general.
The provision of such grants is sure to assist organizations, businesses, and local government facilities in the expansion of biodiesel usage, thus helping to improve environmental conditions, increase fuel efficiency, and eliminate waste. Check out www.gaswatch.info for more information on alternative fuels, and to monitor fuel prices in your area.