TDOT “Green Island” Grant Funds B20 and E85 Pumps in Weakley County

JACKSON, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Transportation officials joined members of the Weakley County Chamber of Commerce today to officially open new biofuel pumps at the Volunteer fueling station in Dresden. The new ethanol (E85) and biodiesel (B20) pumps were installed through a grant awarded to Weakley County Gas and Oil through TDOT’s Green Island Corridor Network program.  Currently, the Volunteer fueling station is the only station offering either E85 or B20 in the West Tennessee area.  The next closest station to offer both biofuels is off I-40 at Exit 172 in Dickson.

 

“With the Green Island grant program, we are partnering with retail fuel stations across the state to expand the availability of cleaner burning biofuels,” said TDOT Chief of Environment and Planning Joe Carpenter. “Biofuels are regulated fuels made from crops and biomass grown by American farmers. They are better for the environment and support the economy. I’m pleased we could help provide Weakley County drivers the option of using biofuels in their vehicles.”

 

The Green Island Corridor Network Grant program is a competitive funding opportunity available to retail fuel station owners and farmer co-ops interested in promoting and selling E85 and B20. Grants assist retail fuel stations with the capital costs of converting or installing fuel storage tanks and dispensing equipment for B20 (20% biodiesel) and/or E85 (up to 85% ethanol). Weakley County Gas and Oil received a grant of $49,931 for this project.  The maximum grant award was $45,000 per E85 or B20 fuel system ($90,000 for both fuels). Retail stations must provide at least 20 percent of total project costs.

 

To use E85, motorists must drive a “Flex Fuel Vehicle” or FFV. For a list of FFVs visit www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/flextech.shtml. To find an E85 or B20 station near you visit http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/maps/, select your region, go to the “What” tab at the top of the menu and choose E85 or B20. For more information on TDOT’s Green Island Corridor Network program visit www.tn.gov/tdot/biofuel/application.htm. 

 

Biodiesel is a clean, renewable fuel produced from vegetable oils, such as soybeans, or animal fats. Pure biodiesel is nontoxic and biodegradable. B20 is a mixture of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel and can be used in most all diesel engines without modifications. The use of biodiesel helps reduce harmful diesel emissions and results in significantly less visible smoke and odors than petroleum diesel.

 

Ethanol is a high octane, domestic and renewable fuel made from plant sugars. For vehicle use, ethanol is blended with gasoline in blends up to 10 percent (E10), which can be used in any vehicle, or up to 85 percent (E85) ethanol for FFVs only. Ethanol burns cleaner than petroleum gasoline and reduces the emission of carbon dioxide and a variety of pollutants that contribute to ozone levels.

 

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