The Vermont Biofuels Association is dedicated to increasing the demand and capacity for locally produced biodiesel and other agriculturally based fuels, and to serve as a resource for the development of a sustainable biofuels sector in Vermont.
Founded in January 2004, the Vermont Biofuels Association (VBA) is a membership trade association comprised of 90 members who are commercial fuel users, biofuel producers, fuel dealers, farmers, academic institutions, renewable energy entrepreneurs and others.
What are Biofuels?
Biofuels are agriculture and forest-derived fuels that can be used to run vehicles, heat buildings, or generate electricity. Biofuels include biodiesel, ethanol, cellulose-based fuels, wood and grass pellets and even straight vegetable oil. A portion of the energy needed in communities around the world can be supplied by a variety of biomass crops growing in the region. In North America, for instance, soy, canola, agricultural and forest residue, pulp wood, perennial grasses, and fast growing trees like willow can be cultivated and processed to meet local energy needs using sustainable methods. A number of plants high in oil content and/or cellulose have great potential for meeting some of our fuel and energy needs and these include algae, switchgrass and industrial hemp.
Why use Biofuels?
Using biofuels helps reduce our dependence on imported sources of energy while extending finite petroleum supplies. Biofuels, especially those produced and used in state, reduce the buildup of greenhouse gases that cause climate change, and almost all harmful emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels are reduced when biofuels are used instead. Money spent on fossil fuels are a huge drain on local economies ($0.75 on every dollar spent on a gallon of fuel goes to the refiner. After taxes there is very little left for the local fuel supply company). But biofuels that come from local resources keep our energy dollars circulating in Vermont's economy while the production and use of biofuels also strengthens Vermont's agriculture and creates new jobs.
Biofuels and 'fuel switching' alone are not the answer
The use of biofuels as a fuel additive or replacement is only part of the solution to curbing emissions and greenhouse gas, buffering ourselves from potential oil shortages and strengthening our rural economy. We must first do all we can to reduce overall energy consumption by choosing fuel-efficient vehicles and heating systems, weatherizing our homes and businesses, and using public transportation and 'pedal power' whenever feasible. The gallon of fuel that makes the most environmental and economic sense is the one you never use!
About the VBA
The Vermont Biofuels Association:
- Serves as a central resource for biodiesel and biofuel-related information in Vermont
- Provides technical assistance, marketing and public relations support to biofuel producers, purchasers and distributors
- Conducts and facilitates research and pilot projects in sustainable biofuel production and usage in Vermont and New England
- Participates in biofuel working groups composed of government and business leaders interested in building the Vermont biofuel market
- Encourages new technologies and renewable energy products such as biodiesel from algae and heating fuel from pellets and other biomass feedstocks
- Collaborates with Vermont's business and agricultural sectors to develop the economic potential of sustainable and renewable, low-emission fuels.
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