'Beyond a Billion' event recognizes fuel reductions

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, federal and other state officials joined the Granite State Clean Cities Coalition and Clean Cities coalitions across the country on Friday to celebrate displacement of more than a billion gallons of petroleum. This "Beyond a Billion" ceremony was part of the opening session for the annual Granite State Clean Cities conference, called "Advancing the Choice: Energy Security, Economic Security, and Climate Change." The Conference was held at the Gunstock Ski Resort in Gilford.

The goal of the Clean Cities Program, which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy, is to decrease petroleum use by focusing on alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel blends, idling reduction, and general fuel economy improvements. The Granite State Clean Cities Coalition is a collaborative of 56 public and private interests from all regions in New Hampshire.

"By passing the billionth gallon milestone," stated Michael Scarpino, U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program Manager, "Clean Cities coalitions have shown they are making a difference on both a local level and a national level. While our thirst for oil puts the environment and our economic and energy security at risk, Clean Cities coalitions across the country are demonstrating options that work."

Scarpino was joined by Alice Chamberlin, Policy Advisor for Governor Lynch, Robert Varney, EPA Region 1 Administrator, and Michael Walls, Assistant Commissioner at the Department of Environmental Services, as he poured the symbolic "billionth" gallon of biodiesel into a heavy duty truck owned and operated by Rymes Heating Oils, Inc.

"Governor Lynch is proud to recognize the Granite State Clean Cities Coalition for helping to increase the use of alternative fuels in New Hampshire, reduce fuel consumption, and protect our natural resources," noted Alice Chamberlin of the Governor's Office. "The Clean Cities efforts are consistent with the energy reduction goals outlined in the Governor's Executive Order calling for State Government to Lead-by-Example in Energy Efficiency."

The billion-gallon milestone is significant, given the fact that the United States imports approximately two-thirds of the petroleum it uses. One billion gasoline gallon equivalents of petroleum is enough gas to fuel two million cars for a year. The billion gallons have been displaced through use of alternative fuel vehicles, idling reduction, improved fuel economy, fuel blends and hybrid vehicles. In 2004, New Hampshire's coalition offset over 34,000 gallons of petroleum by using alternative fuels and saved an additional 2,600 gallons by eliminating unnecessary idling.

The event featured many light- and heavy-duty hybrid electric vehicles, compressed natural gas vehicles, and biodiesel vehicles. For more information on the Granite State Clean Cities Program, contact Rebecca Ohler at (603) 271-6749 or rohler@des.state.nh.us.