Governor Bredesen Announces Green Island Corridor Grants

Nashville, Tenn. � Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that the state will provide a Green Island Corridor Grant of $16,400 to the Pilot fuel station at 205 Walker Springs Road in Knoxville. The funds will be used to convert an existing underground storage tank and dispenser to biodiesel (B20) fuel. This grant is one of ten awarded to retail fuel stations across the state totaling more than $130,000.

�Awarding these grants today places us one step closer to making biofuels more commercially available to all Tennesseans,� said Governor Bredesen. �By establishing this network of retail biofuel stations along our interstates and major highways, we are giving Tennesseans more choices at the pump. By increasing the availability of biofuels, we�re also able to reduce vehicle emissions, help protect public health and reduce our dependence on petroleum.�

The goal of the Green Island Corridor Program is to place biofuels stations along Tennessee�s interstates and major highways no more than one hundred miles apart.

�This program has the ability to benefit motorists, local farmers, and local business owners,� said Senator Tim Burchett. �I�m pleased to see Governor Bredesen and TDOT taking the lead on making alternative fuels more readily available to Tennesseans.�

�Biofuels can be used in many existing cars and trucks,� said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. �Flex-fuel vehicles are already configured to run on E85 ethanol, and biodiesel in blends up to 20 percent (B20) can be used in most diesel vehicles with little or no engine modifications.�

E85 refers to motor fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is typically produced from corn and other grain products. B20 is a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel fuel. Biodiesel is made from renewable sources such as soybean oil and other vegetable oils or animal fats.

�Protecting and improving air quality is vital for our health and environment,� said Ed Cole, TDOT�s Chief of Environment and Planning. �TDOT is happy to be a part of this project that helps make cleaner fuels available to the public.�

For more information on TDOT�s Green Island Grant Program, visit: www.tennessee.gov/tdot/biofuel/default.htm.

To determine if you have a flex fuel vehicle, visit: www.e85fuel.com/information/vin.php.

The Knox County Delegation worked to secure these funds for the Walker Springs Road Pilot Station.