Governor M. Jodi Rell recently announced the state has awarded $350,000 in grants to seven biodiesel distribution facilities throughout Connecticut.
Under the Distribution Facilities Grant Program, companies that undertake projects to develop biodiesel distribution equipment and facilities are eligible for $50,000 reimbursement grants at the completion of their projects.
"Support for biodiesel production is not only an economic development issue but also an environmental issue," Governor Rell said. "By creating more opportunities for renewable energy sources we can assist individual businesses, reduce energy costs, improve air quality and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil. Programs such as this are a key component of my agenda to make Connecticut a leader in sustainability."
The program is funded by the Department of Economic and Community Development and administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology.
Award recipients are:
* Megellan Terminal Holdings, L.P., an independent petroleum storage company that will purchase and install a blending system, biodiesel storage and necessary piping at its facility at 85 East Street in New Haven.
* Bantam Supply Co. Inc., is a retail Bioheat, diesel, and propane distributor in Bantam. The company will upgrade the pump, metering and monitoring system and increase distribution capacity at the facility.
* Baribault Oil Company, Inc., located in the Oakville section of Watertown, is a wholesale distributor of B5 Bioheat biodiesel blends, fuel oil and diesel fuel. The company intends to use its grant to replace existing piping with 4-inch Schedule 40 welded pipe and install a new loading area to accommodate the diameter change.
* Total Energy Solutions, LLC, parent company to Sterling Street Terminal, sells petroleum products from five locations in Connecticut as well as others in New England, New York and the mid-Atlantic region. East Hartford-based Sterling Street Terminal LLC, a petroleum distribution facility, will use the grant to modify its storage tank for a blending system and purchase and install a 10,000 gallon biodiesel "day tank" with dispensing pump and meter.
