Bourne's Energy announces grand opening of new blending facility

Bourne's Energy is thrilled to announce a new milestone in Vermont's green energy history with the grand opening of the first local biofuel blending plant in the central Vermont area. The event is being held Oct. 24 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Bourne's Energy was awarded a $45,000 grant through the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund to support the development of an injection blending operation for biodiesel, allowing it to supply B5, B10, B20 and B99.9 blends of fuel on-demand. The use of biodiesel reduces pollution from vehicles as well as home and commercial heating.

“We've been working closely with farmers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders for a number of years to increase the local production and local use of biofuels in Vermont,” said Netaka White, Bioenergy Program Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and special supporting guest at the 1:00 p.m. ribbon-cutting for the grand opening. “Bourne’s Energy continues to be a leader in its field, by helping Vermont homes and businesses be more energy efficient and helping them move towards cleaner and greener heating and transportation fuels. These biofuel blending plants will do more to put renewable, low emission biodiesel into more homes and vehicles than any other investment VSJF has made towards Vermont biofuel infrastructure. This is a great new opportunity for Vermonters to experience the ‘biodiesel difference’ with a high-quality biofuel blend, made locally from recycled cooking oils and mixed in this state-of-the art facility.”

Liz Miller, Commissioner of the Department of Public Service, will also be in attendance at the grand opening to congratulate Bourne’s Energy. She noted that increasing biofuel usage in the state is a key strategy supporting greater energy independence and lower emissions. “A great deal of the biodiesel now consumed in Vermont is used for transportation purposes in heavy-duty vehicles such as buses, commercial trucks and off-road agricultural equipment,” she said. “Bourne’s customers also currently use biodiesel blended with heating oil (typically a B5 blend) to meet a portion of the state's thermal needs. Bourne’s facility is a great development—it will offer Vermonters a way to conveniently access these fuels and easily reduce their pollution contribution. This is very promising for the continuing increase we hope to see in biodiesel use.”

Peter Bourne recognizes green living is growing in demand in the Green Mountain state, and with the opening of Bourne's Energy's Biofuel Blending plant, the ecofriendly innovator is ready to supply the community with alternative heating and fuel solutions without compromising the food chain or creating other environmental issues.

“The production of Bourne's biofuel is an interesting journey,” said Bourne. “[Biofuel] begins at local eateries as used cooking grease, which is picked up and recycled by a partner company, White Mountain Biodiesel. Bourne’s collects the future fuel and brings it to the biofuel blending plant where it's converted/blended into Bioheat or biodiesel.”

Bourne went on to explain that by using biofuel, people are engaging in ecologically and economically savvy practices like cutting down on carbon emissions and reducing wear and tear on their vehicles and heating equipment, as well as sustaining local jobs. “Is there a big price break for using biofuel at this time? Honestly, no, but it doesn't cost any more either. So I guess it comes down to a matter of doing the right thing,” concluded Bourne—and he is hoping people will do exactly that.

Bourne's makes it easy for anyone who heats their home with oil or uses diesel fuel in any way to reduce their carbon footprint by simply using biofuel instead.

Bourne’s Energy celebrates its 65th anniversary of being a local, family-owned heating fuel and equipment business. With five local offices throughout North and Central Vermont in Morrisville, Waterbury, Waitsfield, Lyndonville and Swanton, the company is conveniently situated to better reach and serve local communities.