Governor Bredesen Proclaims First Ever Biofuels Day in Tennessee

Nashville, Tenn. � As millions prepare to celebrate their freedom this July Fourth, Governor Phil Bredesen is encouraging Tennesseans to kick off the pre-holiday weekend by celebrating independence with biofuels. Governor Bredesen today signed a proclamation declaring June 28th as the first ever Biofuels Day in Tennessee and announced his plan to get more Tennesseans to try clean, homegrown, renewable biofuels.

�I�m pleased to designate June 28th as Biofuels Day in Tennessee,� said Governor Bredesen. �In addition, I am encouraging fueling stations across the state to reduce their prices on ethanol and biodiesel for this special one-day event. Millions will be hitting the road this weekend for the July Fourth holiday and I want to invite all Tennesseans as well as those passing through our state to consider celebrating their independence with biofuels.�

Currently there are 32 retail biofuels stations in operation in Tennessee. Five offer both E85 (ethanol) and B20 (biodiesel), 25 sell B20 only and two stations offer E85 only. A map of existing retail biofuel stations can be found at www.biotenn.org and is attached to this release. Click here for a map of the Biofuel Green Island Corridor Network.

In 2007, Governor Bredesen proposed $4 million in state funds, which was approved by the General Assembly, for the Tennessee�s alternative fuels initiatives. In February, Bredesen dedicated $1.5 million of the funds to TDOT�s Green Island Corridor Network Grant program. The program was established to encourage more retail refueling stations to offer biofuels to the public. On June 6, Bredesen announced the first ten Green Island Corridor Network grants.

On Thursday, June 28th, Governor Bredesen will announce the next round of Green Island Corridor Network Grants and will unveil a new initiative to promote biofuels to the public at a press event in Nashville.