Just weeks after announcing plans to transition 500 MTA buses to hybrid, and days following the award of the highest grade ever for environmental initiatives from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, Governor O’Malley yesterday was joined by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and administration officials to present roadmap for a more sustainable transportation fuel system in Maryland, beginning with the construction of four new E-85 fuel pumps throughout Maryland. To promote Maryland’s energy independence, Governor O’Malley outlined a plan that will combine consumer education, new technologies, and the development of an infrastructure such as the new facilities announced today.
“As the State purchases new vehicles for its fleet, more and more of our cars, trucks and vans will run on alternative fuels,” said Governor O’Malley. “With these new E-85 facilities, we’ll continue to make Maryland’s transportation fleet less dependant on fossil fuels, strengthening the energy future of our State for generations to come. These upfront investments in our alternative fuel infrastructure position Maryland to take advantage of the rapid advances in the next generation of non-food-based ethanol while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
E-85 is a blend of fuel that contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is a renewable fuel made primarily by distilling grains such as corn, wheat and barley. E-85 also burns cleaner than petroleum gasoline, and is thus better for the environment. Emerging forms of ethanol fuel is made from non-food based crops, like switch grass. These new products promise to be even more affordable while still reducing harmful nitrogen emissions to the Bay by 80 to 90 percent. Because it can be produced domestically, E-85 decreases dependence on foreign sources of energy. The U.S. currently imports approximately two-thirds of the petroleum it uses.
“Because of Gov. O’Malley’s bold leadership, Maryland continues to lead by example. Our commitment to strengthening our sustainable future for our children is evident in the investments we make,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “Maryland will stand up for the environment and future generations by investing in sound, renewable energy policies like the construction of facilities like these.”
“Reducing the State’s dependence on foreign sources of oil has never been a more pressing issue, and greater use of E-85 and other renewable fuels can help us do that,” said Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) Secretary Alvin C. Collins. “With 1,200 flex-fuel vehicles already in the State’s fleet, we are striving to reduce reliance on fossil fuel and its harmful impacts on the environment.”
“With the proper state leadership, alternative vehicles such as E-85 cars and plug-in electric hybrids can become common on Maryland’s roads during the next ten years,” said Malcolm D. Woolf, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). “By reducing our reliance on foreign oil, Maryland can advance our economic security, our national security, and our environmental security at the same time.”
Governor O’Malley outlined three distinct transportation strategies through which Maryland will become more energy independent:
Expansion of Biofuels
–>