Connecticut Biodiesel Laws and Incentives
State Incentives
Biodiesel Production and Distribution Grants
The Connecticut Qualified Biodiesel Producer Incentive Account will be established within the General Fund and funding will be expended by the Department of Economic and Community Development for the purpose of providing grants to qualified biodiesel producers and distributors. A qualified biodiesel producer will be eligible for up to 60 monthly grants from the account, up to a total grant per fiscal year equal to: 1) $0.30 per gallon for the first five million gallons of biodiesel produced; 2) $0.20 per gallon for the second five million gallons of biodiesel produced; and 3) $0.10 per gallon for the third five million gallons of biodiesel produced. Any portion of biodiesel produced by a qualified biodiesel producer in excess of 15 million gallons per fiscal year is not eligible for these grants. One-time grants for the purchase of equipment or establishment or retrofit of production facilities will also be available; these grants will not exceed either $3 million dollars or 25% of the equipment or construction cost. Additional grant money up to $50,000 per distributor/site will be available for the actual costs of creating storage and distribution capacity for biodiesel. (Reference Senate Bill 1500, 2007)
Biofuels Support
The Department of Economic and Community Development is required to administer a fuel diversification grant program to provide funding to Connecticut institutions of higher education or Connecticut institutions of agricultural research for purposes which may include research to promote biofuel production from agricultural products, algae and waste grease, as well as biofuel quality testing. (Reference Senate Bill 1500, 2007)
State Laws and Regulations
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition and Emissions Reduction Requirements
The fleet average for cars or light-duty trucks purchased by the state must: 1) have a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated fuel economy of at least 40 miles per gallon; 2) comply with state fleet vehicle acquisition requirements set forth under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 490); and 3) obtain the best achievable fuel economy per pound of carbon dioxide emitted in its vehicle class. AFVs purchased by the state to comply with these requirements must be capable of operating on an alternative fuel that is available in the state. Department of Public Safety vehicles that the Commissioner of Public Safety and Commissioner of Administrative Services designate as necessary for the Department of Public Safety to carry out its mission are exempt from these provisions.
Beginning January 1, 2008, at least 50% of all cars and light-duty trucks purchased or leased by the state must be alternative fuel, hybrid electric or plug-in electric vehicles. All AFVs purchased or leased must be certified to the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Low Emission Vehicle II Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Standard, and all light-duty gasoline vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles purchased or leased by the state must be certified, at a minimum, to the CARB Low Emission Vehicle II Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Standard. Beginning January 1, 2012, the required percentage increases to 100%. The Commissioner of Administrative Services is required to report annually on the composition of the state fleet, including the volume of alternative fuels used.
(Reference Connecticut General Statutes 4a-67d and Senate Bill 1500, 2007)
School Bus Emissions Reduction
The Commissioner of Environmental Protection and Commissioner of Education are required to establish a school bus emissions reduction program which will include the following: 1) establishment of grants for municipalities and local and regional school boards for reimbursement of the cost of retrofitting full-sized school buses that are projected to be in service on or after September 1, 2010; 2) development of an outreach plan and educational materials regarding the program, and; 3) assistance to municipalities and local and regional boards of education and bus companies to retrofit their full-sized school buses.
Prior to September 1, 2010, each full-sized school bus with an engine model year of 1994 or newer transporting children in the state must be equipped with specific emissions control systems, including either: 1) a closed crankcase filtration system and a level 1 device, level 2 device or level 3 device; 2) an engine certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet Model Year 2007 emission standards; or 3) use compressed natural gas or other alternative fuel certified by the EPA or the California Air Resources Board to reduce particulate matter emissions by at least 85% as compared to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.
(Reference Senate Bill 1500, 2007)
Alternative Fuel Taxicab Regulation
In compliance with any other regulations governing the use of taxicabs, any alternative fuel sedan or station wagon with a wheelbase of at least 102 inches may be used to provide taxicab service. (Reference Connecticut General Statutes 13b-96)
