UNCA gains alternative, above-ground fuel tanks this summer

Thanks to a $70,000 Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Grant from the North Carolina Division of Air Quality, the UNC Asheville Transportation Office will begin construction this summer on three above-ground fuel storage tanks and 2,000 gallons of B50 (50 percent biodiesel, 50 percent petroleum diesel), 2,000 gallons of E10 (10 percent ethanol, 90 percent gasoline) and 1,000 gallons of E85 (85 percent ethanol, 10 percent gasoline).

"In light of budget cuts, it's really important that we try to get as much funding available. We would not be able to do this project if not for this grant," said Chris Miller, environmental health and safety officer. "Back in 2005 state legislature required that we reduce dependency on petroleum by 20 percent. We're already at 38 percent, so this project will help us further that goal."

Currently, the transportation office runs its vehicles on B20 (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent petroleum diesel). The grant money will first replace the two aging 300 gallon tanks (one diesel, one gasoline) with three above-ground fuel dispensers for a centralized fueling station outside of the Sam Millar Complex.

UNCA has 84 vehicles for university use, 14 of which are Flex Fuel (E85) vehicles; four of these use B20 and belong to the transportation office. Vehicles that currently burn regular gasoline will start out on E10, and as the demand for the E85 motor fleet increases, the transportation office will phase out of E10 and move to E85, according to Miller.

"With this new fuel dispensing system, it integrates directly with Raleigh's motor fleet fueling system, so it will allow not only our motor fleets but also those from other state institutions in Raleigh and other areas to come here and use our system," Miller said. "There are not many alternative fuel stations across the state available to alternative fuel vehicles. Ours will allow other areas like city of Woodfin, city of Asheville, city of Weaverville, town of Weaverville and more to utilize this system."

The transportation office ordered the grant in March. Senior environmental studies student Corey Scheip, who interned at the transportation office this summer, researched, developed plans and wrote the application.

"We asked for $96,000 for an ethanol, biodiesel and compressed natural gas station," Scheip said. "The ethanol and biodiesel got approved, the CNG rejected. This is the first time UNC Asheville has received a Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Grant, which is put out every year."

Miller plans to keep the fueling station on campus open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will be the first alternative fueling station in north Asheville, open to other state and local government agencies and to the public. The station allows the possibility of significantly improving local and regional air quality, Miller said.

"Using cleaner fuels help the environment. It's part of our plan with the university to be environmentally sustainable," Miller said. "Allowing the public to utilize these fuels will make it easy for everyone to reduce their contributions to air pollution."

Miller estimates this project will result in a 20 to 25 percent reduction of emissions in one year. The amount of emissions reduced in 10 years using E10, E85 and B50 would be 550 tons, according to estimations in the grant application.

"The funds are only to install the fuel system and will be available for one year," Miller said. "Just because we applied and won doesn't mean we won't be eligible in the future. If we want to buy alternate fuel vehicles or electric vehicles, we can ask for those in the next grant. We're not making new plans yet, though. First I want to get this one bedded down."

Miller hopes UNCA will serve as an example to other universities and state institutions. Bill Eaker, environmental services manager of the Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition, supports the university's endeavors.

"The CVC is thrilled that UNCA is expanding its use of alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles," Eaker said. "Through the installation of this multi-fuel station, we encourage other public and private fleets to follow their examples."

Miller hopes the switch to alternative fuels will assist the LOSRC in obtaining the U.S. Department of Energy's "Clean Cities" designation for the Asheville region.

Mark Combs, director of public works for the city of Asheville, believes the project will strengthen the commitment among the city of Asheville, the university and the community at large to promote environmental stewardship.

"A tree grows large from a sea," Combs said. "All of these new technologies and fuels require training and knowledge, so even starting out with a small number of vehicles is a way to get the staff and the city council thinking that way. UNCA is absolutely pushing to be a leader in reducing mobile source emissions, which is something everyone needs to pay attention to because we all drive."

Steve Baxley, associate vice chancellor of campus operations, wrote a letter of support for the grant application, commending the project as an important step in keeping with the university's commitment to environmental stewardship.

"Our challenge is to do what's right for us," Baxley said. "If that becomes a model for other folks, then great. Plenty of universities in the U.S. are doing far more than we are; unfortunately, plenty also aren't doing as much as we are. We're all blessed here at UNCA to have faculty and students that are concerned about the environment and responsible stewardship. We do the best we can with what we have."

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