According to the DOE, transportation accounts for 65 percent of oil consumption in the United States and is the main source of air pollution. Oil is a rapidly depleting fossil fuel resource, and countries like China and India with expanding economies are competing with the U.S. for more of a share of imported oil. That, plus the instability in oil-rich Middle Eastern countries underscores the importance of transportation programs. There are several state and federal initiatives underway to make better use of home-grown resources for transportation fuel, to improve the efficiency of transportation vehicles, and to explore alternatives to the gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine.
 

What's been done in ND?

The Division of Community Services Energy Office has been and will continue to be involved with a number of transportation/alternative fuel vehicle programs and activities, including:


 

• Biodiesel demonstration projects and information dissemination;
• Sponsorship of UND and NDSU solar vehicle race teams, and sponsorship of national solar race through eastern ND in 2005;
• Funding assistance for the purchase of hybrid gas and electric vehicles for the state motor pool;
• Continuing sponsorship of the Red River Valley Clean Cities Coalition administered by the American Lung Association, North Dakota chapter in Bismarck;
• Funding assistance for establishment of E85 refueling sites in North Dakota; and
• Partial grant funding of GEM and other alternative fuel vehicles for state facilities.

Useful Alternative Fuel Links