Biofuel boost: Efforts under way to promote alternative fuels in New England

New England policymakers are floating ideas such as tax incentives to help boost alternative energy business in the region, and even committing to the use of biofuels-based state vehicles to lead by green example.

Until these ideas and policies can clear a complex web of federal, state and local hurdles, however, too many alternative energy companies still won't benefit. At least not yet. While there is still work to be done, there's plenty of movement particularly in Massachusetts and Connecticut to help support fledgling alternative energy companies and keep them here in New England. Earlier this month, Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell asked state officials to make recommendations by July 2007 about how to increase the state government's use of alternative energy vehicles and plan for an increased demand for alternative fuel pumping stations.

Both opportunities, however, may elude some alternative fuel companies, such as Easthampton-based Greasecar Inc. For Greasecar, which specializes in technology to adapt diesel fuel cars to accept vegetable oil as fuel, the higher demand could mean a boost in business. But vegetable oil is not a certified biofuel by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or Bay State energy regulatory agencies. Greasecar has begun lobbying federal and state officials to win approval for vegetable oil, said Jeremie Spitzer, Greasecar general manager. Without the certification, Greasecar would have difficulty competing for municipal contracts to convert government vehicle fleets because government contracts must adhere to federal and state guidelines regulating biofuels.

Greasecar, which was founded in 2000 and employs 11 people, has 3,500 customers in all 50 states, said Spitzer. Its technology is designed for use on diesel cars. Drivers must collect vegetable oil from, for instance, local restaurants and then process the oil at home using a Greasecar filtration system. The technology is a two-part system, which includes a heating and filtration kit to fit a 55-gallon drum. Once the oil is cleaned it is pumped into the car. A separate device, which includes a digital display, is installed on the car to filter the oil further and monitor fuel levels and temperature.

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