Final Report Rochester Vehicle Fleet Alternative Fuels Systems Study

A new fueling facility will be required at Mt. Read or elsewhere to fuel the FFV’s,
since the limited existing gasoline dispensing facility will need to remain in service
for dispensing gasoline. This facility could require the expenditure of $150K to
$200K , not including design costs and a canopy for the station. 37 Funds for this
expenditure can be sought from the Green Station project, and NYSERDA.
Moreover, a high level of uncertainty exists regarding the Underwriters Laboratory
certification of E85 dispensers. Though no failures of E85 dispensers have been
observed in the United States or Brazil, where E85 is widely used 38 , UL has decided
to completely review its E85 testing and certification procedures for fueling systems.
In making this decision, UL rescinded the parts certification it had provided to the
Ohio based firm OPW, though no failures or problems were observed. Currently the
major dispenser manufacturers Wayne Dresser and Gilbarco have E85 dispensing
units, which await certification. NYSERDA has chosen to go ahead with its program
while the UL issue proceeds.
This uncertainty can be addressed in the following manner:
1. Work with NYSERDA and the New York State Department of State Bureau
of Administration and Code Enforcement if a waiver is needed to install an
E85 dispenser.
2. Work with the Fire Department officials to provide them with information
from the above-mentioned Bureau, as well as the many state fire marshals
nationally that have issued interim guidance on this issue. 39
Local distributors are not currently carrying E85, and there is a measure of perceived
uncertainty with any change in operations for such firms. However, ethanol is
present at numerous locations, and the E85 fuel can be obtained by blending the
gasoline and ethanol, just at a higher blend from the more typical E10. Certain
distributors, such as NOCO in Tonawanda, received funds from NYSERDA to bring
E85 to their fueling rack, so the distribution of the fuel will become more common
going forward.
The net energy balance of ethanol has been discussed in the press to a large extent,
and concerns the amount of energy needed to make ethanol versus the amount of
energy produced when the ethanol is used. The most recent study examining the
previous energy balance studies of ethanol found the energy balance to be positive. 40
37 Canopies, though ubiquitous, have large concrete footings to ensure stability and wind resistance,
and are expensive.
38 See various Underwriters Laboratory recent reports on the issue found on their website.
39 States issuing interim guidance on installing or using E85 stations include Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa,
West Virginia, Oregon, and others. Information on this is available from the National Ethanol Vehicle
Coalition, 877-485-8595 or e85fuel.com.
40 Farrell, A.E., Plevin, R.J., Turner, B.T., Jones, A.D., O’Hare, M., Kammen, D.M., 2006. Ethanol
Can Contribute to Energy and Environmental Goals, Science Volume 311: 506-508.
http://rael.berkeley.edu/EBAMM/
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Final Report