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Group growing good stewards of the
air
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| By: ANNA GARBER,
Staff Writer |
November
02, 2002 |
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| A fledgling organization working to
introduce cleaner fuels in the East Tennessee region held its first
meeting in Sevier County Thursday. |
The East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition aims to
promote a viable alternative fuels industry and economy, and thus to
improve the region's air quality.
Sevier County governments
and utilities were well represented at the meeting, and this county
seems to be as active as any in promoting the coalition's
goals.
In attendance were representatives of Sevierville,
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg governments; Great Smoky Mountains
National Park; Sevier County utilities; Knoxville Area Transit; Oak
Ridge National Laboratories, two alternative bus companies and
Valley Proteins of Strawberry Plains.
Valley Proteins is a
kitchen grease recycler that produces a stabilized fat suitable for
use as a biofuel. The firm is considering the manufacture of
biodiesel.
The coalition began forming in February. Its
immediate goals are to recruit partners, find funding and
concentrate on marketing and education, said Sevierville Public
Information Officer Bob Stahlke.
He said every meeting
includes an educational component to help members learn more about
alternative fuels, so they can in turn talk to others knowledgeably
on the subject.
Coordinator Jonathan Overly is the only
employee so far. A grant funds his salary and expenses, Stahlke
said.
Overly outlined some of the coalition's recent
activities, several of which were in Sevier County:
* He has
met with McNelly-Whaley Ford representatives in Sevierville.
McNelly-Whaley and Ted Russell Ford in Knoxville are the only
certified alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) dealers in East Tennessee.
Overly said McNelly-Whaley may partner with the coalition.
*
He has also met with Park staff to talk about alternative fuels and
the coalition. Park staff are looking into fuel choices and actions
to improve their footprint on the Park.
* Gatlinburg is
preparing to buy three natural gas-powered police cruisers.
*
Sevierville Public Works Director Bryon Fortner said the city is
still evaluating what the best fuel would be for its trolleys and
where the money to buy them will come from.
The gathering
broke into three groups to discuss how to move forward. "We have
only a handful of alternative fuel users" and need to work on
getting more, Overly said. That was one area of concentration for
the infrastructure group.
Other areas ripe for development
are increasing alternative fuel use among existing owners of AFVs;
developing a refueling infrastructure, and developing clean fuel
corridors along Interstates 40, 75 and 81.
Two other groups
work on education, marketing and legislative efforts.
Pigeon
Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevier County Utility District already have
AFVs in their fleets. Overly is trying to find out more about county
and other fleets throughout East Tennessee and how many AFVs they
have, but is having problems accessing the numbers.
He also
spoke of an "Advancing the Choice" public event in the early spring,
focusing perhaps on the school bus fleet in Knox
County.
Overly will make a presentation to Sevier County
Transportation Board on Nov. 20.
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| ©The
Mountain Press 2002 |
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