Sugarbush Biodiesel Program

Program Initiative
Through the work of the Green Team, Sugarbush Resort is continuously looking for areas where we can improve our operations through use of renewable resources. Traditionally, snowmaking, grooming, snow removal/roads and parking lot maintenance would rely on 100% petrodiesel. At Sugarbush, we’ve implemented the use of a “biodiesel blend” (20% biodiesel, 80% straight or “neat” petrodiesel) in ALL diesel machinery to offset our petrodiesel usage.

What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a clean-burning fuel for diesel engines made from domestically produced, renewable fats and oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed, hemp, and algae. Biodiesel can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. It burns substantially cleaner than petrodiesel and it can be a powerful tool for improving our environment. In addition to the known benefits of biodiesel, Sugarbush is striving to be an industry leader in the use of renewable fuels in its operations. Sugarbush Resort used the following criteria to evaluate the implementation of a biodiesel program:

Environment - Global Warming poses a serious threat to Vermont ski areas. With its increased temperatures and changed weather patterns, global warming has the ability to derail the entire ski industry. Investing in biodiesel is investing in Sugarbush’s future and the greater public good. Emissions drastically reduced from use of petrodiesel include smog/ozone, particulates, CO2, NOx and Carbon Monoxide. See Table 1 for a summary of emission reductions resulting from use of B20 blend biodiesel over 100% petrodiesel.

Publicity - Sugarbush is a Vermont biodiesel pioneer and is established as one of the state’s environmental leaders. No other ski areas in Vermont are known to be using 100% biodiesel blends for similar mountain operations.

Economic Benefits - Oil is projected to become unaffordable between while biodiesel may become more affordable. Using and becoming familiar with biodiesel today puts Sugarbush one step ahead of the impending oil crisis, decreases our dependence on foreign oil by investing in a domestic renewable fuel source can help boost the local economy.

Mechanical - Acts as a solvent and lubricant by cleaning out engines, increases engine efficiency and helps extend equipment life.

Table 1. Biodiesel Emissions Table

What does Sugarbush intend to accomplish?
Our primary goal for this biodiesel implementation is to put a renewable fuel source to work during our most critical operation period during the year. We’ve found that this renewable fuel can perform, and potentially out perform petrodiesel, in this environment. Sugarbush is a pioneer in the use of biodiesel and is one of Vermont’s environmental leaders. With the addition of the Biodiesel Project, Sugarbush has further reduced its greenhouse gas emissions and implemented a fuel stock that has numerous environmental benefits.

Information Contacts & Useful Links
If you require additional information for yourself, a media inquiry or a guest, please use the project contact listed above. Follow these web links for more detailed biodiesel program information:
The National Biodiesel Board - http://www.biodiesel.org/
Soy Power Diesel - http://www.soypower.net/