Metrolina Biofuels
Summary
During the last week of August 2008 Metrolina Biofuels began pumping B99 (99% biodiesel and 1% petrodiesel) out of its solar powered pump in north Charlotte. The pump will be the first B99 pump publicly available in the Charlotte region. The pump is one of several regional projects funded through the NC Solar Center's Clean Fuel Advanced Technology grant program.
Project Details
The opening of the pump marks the end of a long journey for the members of Metrolina Biofuels, a long-standing member of the Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition. In 2006, Metrolina Biofuels received a $9,800 grant from the North Carolina Solar Center through it Clean Fuels Advanced Technology program for the installation of a biodiesel pump. The group began work on the pump only to find obstacles for the pump location and power source. The pump was finally located at 3711 Miranda Road Charlotte, NC 28216 and is fully powered by a solar panel.
Metrolina Biofuels will be filling their 500-gallon tank at the pump with biodiesel locally produced in North Carolina. The fuel will be sold for close to the cost of petrodiesel. The high cost of diesel fuel and concerns about the environment and foreign oil dependence may help boost their business at the pump. In addition, Metrolina Biofuels hopes that the pump's location near the intersection of 1-77 and 1-85 will attract motorists traveling through the region that are interested in fueling with biodiesel.
The Metrolina Biofuels mission is a sustained and sustainable effort to educate the public about the necessity of a radically different transportation model and to provide plant-based fuel from local sources in as many venues as they are able. Their biodiesel pump will be open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm weekdays or by appointment.
By the Numbers
Fuel Type: Biodiesel
Project Cost: Over $20,000, including in-kind services
Grant Amount: $9,800
Contact Information
George Bostic
Metrolina Biofuels
george@sunsetcoachmen.com
If you have a success story you would like to submit please contact Emily Parker at (eparker@centralina.org)