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Biofuels Initiatives

Among UConn’s commitments climate change action, UConn joined the New England Governor’s/ Eastern Canadian Premier’s Climate Change Action Plan and Pledge in 2003 and this committment was signed in late-2003 by President Austin. In April 2004, as part of the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) the governor also issued Executive Order 32, setting target percentages of clean energy purchase by state agencies by 2010, 2020 and 2050.  This led to CT Public Act 04-252 regarding climate change action and emissions registration.   

The University of Connecticut has already demonstrated support for renewable fuels by running its shuttle buses with a biodiesel blend.  This biodiesel is produced on-campus from waste cooking oil donated by campus-run dining locations. As these goals progress, the University will be continuing its initiatives to support and promote biofuels and the overall reduction in greenhouse gases.


Background Information
  History and background
  Workgroup Members
Biofuels Consortium
  Biofuels Consortium Homepage
Annual Symposiums/Conferences
Outreach Activities
Demonstrations and Displays
Guster Concert

Related News

  

Dr. Richard Parnas, Chair of UConn Biofuel Consortium awarded 2007 ELA Award (2007 Environmental Leadership Awards)

Out of the Frying Pan, into the Gas Tank (Uconn Advance, 11/29/2004)

Making the Educated Choice: Biodiesel (The Cool Current, Winter 2004-2005)

     

 

Additional Biodiesel Information

Remarks by the President on Energy

Virginia BioDiesel Refinery West Point, Virginia

May 16, 2005 11:25 A.M. EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/05/20050516.html

"...The final step toward making America less dependent on foreign oil is to develop new alternatives to gasoline and diesel...Biodiesel can be used in any vehicle that runs on regular diesel, and delivers critical environmental and economic benefits.

"Biodiesel burns more completely and produces less air pollution than gasoline or regular diesel. Biodiesel also reduces engine wear, and produces almost no sulfur emissions, which makes it a good choice for cities and states working to meet strict air quality standards. And every time we use home-grown biodiesel, we support American farmers, not foreign oil producers.

  

"More Americans are realizing the benefits of biodiesel every year. In 1999, biodiesel producers sold about 500,000 gallons of fuel for the year. Last year, biodiesel sales totaled 30 million gallons. That's a sixty fold increase in five years.  More than 500 operators of major vehicle fleets now use biodiesel, including the Department of Defense and the National Park Service and James Madison University. The County of Arlington, Virginia, has converted its fleet of school buses to biodiesel. And Harrisonburg is using biodiesel in its city transit buses.

  

"In the past three years, more than 300 public fueling stations have started offering biodiesel. You're beginning to see a new industry evolve.  And as more Americans choose biodiesel over petroleum fuel, they can be proud in knowing they're helping to make this country less dependent on foreign oil...

 

"A recent study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory projected that biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, could provide about a fifth of America's transportation fuel within 25 years. And that would be good for our kids and our grandkids..."

- President George W. Bush

   

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