Developing Railway Markets for Montana BiodieselCX(s) Applied: B5.1Date: 12/14/2010Location(s): Havre, MontanaOffice(s): Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
December 14, 2010
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CX(s) Applied: B5.1
Date: 12/14/2010
Location(s): Havre, Montana
Office(s): Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Golden Field Office
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is proposing to provide $125,000 of State Energy Program American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to Opportunity Link, a non-profit organization, to conduct a one year study on the performance of a switch train running on a 20% biodiesel blend in extreme weather conditions. Opportunity Link would collect engine performance and emissions data to inform railroad operators, rail regulators, and state and federal policy makers of demonstrated performance properties and benefits to air quality when biodiesel is used to fuel a locomotive switch engine. The study is expected to show that green house emissions can be reduced while boosting the local economy by using locally produced biodiesel. The project is located at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad rail yard in Havre, Montana.