Special Edition of the FYI:  Savannah River Leadership

As we become more and more accustomed to the information flood that is brought to our desks by email, there are occasions that we all find an impressive article that strikes us as unique and informative.  Yesterday we came across such an article which had been forwarded to our attention by staff from the DOE Savannah River Plant in South Carolina.

As those of us who work in the field of alternative fuels know, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, while a good start, leaves much to be desired.  EPACT requires state and federal governments to acquire alternative fuel vehicles and we suppose this was an effort to establish national leadership in the task of transitioning from petroleum to alternative fuels.  However, as we also know, EPACT does not require state and federal fleets to use the alternative fuels in the vehicles being acquired.

It is our experience that most of the alternative fuel vehicles being acquired by state and federal fleets pursuant to EPACT mandates are E85 flexible fuel vehicles.  These vehicles are produced at no additional cost and offered on the general fleet contract.  For a mandated fleet, these vehicles meet the acquisition requirements at no extra cost.  Additionally, E85 vehicles can and are most often, operated exclusively on gasoline, where no refueling sites are available. 

The article “Aiken Station Paves the Way” by John Bankston, originally published on January 29, 2002 in the Augusta Chronicle can be found at http://www.augustachronicle.com/stories/012902/bus_biofuel.shtml.  It outlines the efforts of staff at the Savannah River Operations Office in Aiken, South Carolina to not only meet EPACT alternative fuel vehicle acquisition requirements, but to also facilitate the establishment of a public E85 fueling facility at a nearby site.

The Savannah River Operations Office focuses on three missions in the management and operations of this key DOE site:

Savannah River Site occupies approximately 310 square miles, (about the size of the area inside the Washington, D.C. beltway) and is located twelve miles south of Aiken, South Carolina.  Faced with implementing an alternative fuel program pursuant to EPACT, management committed to not only meet the letter of the law by acquiring alternative fuel vehicles, but to also use the alternative fuels in the vehicles -- a novel concept!

Savannah River engineering staff was first asked to become familiar with the various forms of alternative transportation fuels and to make a recommendation as to what fuel should be used.  While all forms of alternative transportation fuels reduce energy dependence and advance environmental benefits, SRS staff felt that an E85 program could be implemented in the most cost effective manner.

SRS engineers then began to educate themselves on the material requirements for handling E85 and ultimately sent two members of their staff to Jefferson City, Missouri to personally inspect the two public E85 fueling sites in operation.  These staff persons met with the supplier of the E85, the owner of the stations, and the staff of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (all of whom are located in Jefferson City).  Using an existing tank and dispenser, they were told that after cleaning the tank, removing the aluminum parts, and placing proper signage on the dispenser, the E85 program was absolutely “transparent” in comparison to gasoline.

Taking this knowledge, SRS immediately began to design an above ground storage tank system to be located on the site to dispense E85, but more importantly, they also began to work with a local retailer that had demonstrated an interest in alternative fuels.

The attached article describes the alternative fuel efforts of Red Roberts, President of United Energy Distributors.  Mr. Robert’s station in Aiken, South Carolina is the first such facility in the United States to offer both E85 and biodiesel to the general public.  The article outlines the commitment that Mr. Roberts and staff from the Savannah River Site put into the development of this publicly accessible station.  As a result of these actions, a federal facility is meeting both the letter and intent of the Energy Policy Act.  A locally publicly owned alternative fueling station has been opened which will also serve the general public.

The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition would like to recognize and applaud the efforts of United Energy Distributors, who we are also proud to have as a member of the NEVC.  In addition, the management and staff of the Savannah River Site also deserve recognition for taking a local leadership role by advocating the use of alternative transportation fuels.  In fact, SRS can be looked at and used as a prime example of the opportunities for success that come through a partnership of the private and public sector.