Alternative Fuels and Flexible Fueled Vehicles: State of Connecticut
Canola is a possible source for biofuel.
Connecticut legislation provides a comprehensive toolbox of grants and information clearinghouses to build the infrastructure for, and encourage the use of, alternative fuel sources in the state.
Grants will cover upfront capital expenses needed for specialized machinery and infrastructure in the production and consumption chain: producers, distributors, service stations, and government institutions. Information databases will provide producers a tool to steamline the supply chain for the industry. Government institutions will act as leaders in biofuel usage, while property owners will receive a tax credit. The legislation also enables tax abatements and HOV occupancy for alternative fueled vehicles.
The legislation is a state level model that targets the entire chain of production, including grants, building a supplier base, and encouraging end use. Biofuels are the prefered fuel source of this legislation which is administered at various state entities. However, this approach could be applied to other alternative fuel sources and administrative approaches depending on the environemntal concerns, administrative needs, and infrastructute of the state.
This legislation establishes:
- Grants to qualified biodiesel producers and biodiesel distributors
- A grant program for service stations
- A grant program for purchase of biodiesel-based school buses
- A grant for school and municipal buildings using alternative fuel sources
- A biofuel crops grant program
- A task force to promote use of biodiesel fuel and explore commercial and industrial applications
- A Connecticut Farm Link program database of farmers and agricultural land owners who intend to sell their farm operations or agricultural land
- A database of institutions and businesses that produce waste vegetable oil or other comparable food product suitable for conversion to biodiesel
- A property tax credit for the use of biofuel for home heating purposes
- A plan for use of biofuels in the heating of state buildings
- State universities and agencies to serve as testing centers for biodiesel and biodiesel fuels for heating and transportation
- Biofuel requirements for intrastate transit
- Permission for local municipalities to provide tax abatements on hybrid vehicles
- Permission for single occupant hybrid vehicles to use HOV lanes
