Case Studies: Smugglers' Notch Resort
Tom McGrail
Smugglers' Notch Resort
Cambridge, Vermont
Tom McGrail, Environmental Compliance Manager at Smugglers' Notch, has been doing research on biodiesel since the National Parks and Western ski resorts started using it three years ago. After observing that Sugarbush Resort had success with it at Mt. Ellen in winter 2004, Smugglers' issued a statement that they would begin using biodiesel by spring 2005. With the help of Vermont Biodiesel Project fuel cost assistance, they were running tractors, lawnmowers and a backhoe on B20 by June 2005, just in time to reduce diesel emissions around their summer guests.
"Smuggs" has been motivated to make the move to biodiesel by air quality concerns, as well as a desire to reduce environmental risks in case there should be a fuel spill. At the ski mountain, they will undergo a series of emissions tests in winter 2005-2006 with the help of Dr. Melinda Treadwell, a Keene State College researcher. Using stationary source equipment, Dr. Treadwell and her research colleagues are studying diesel emissions, ambient air quality, and resultant effects on human health. They will be undertaking some of the most thorough experiments in the country focused on comparing biodiesel to petrodiesel emissions. Tom anticipates this information will be useful to Smugglers' Notch and to Vermont's Air Pollution Control Division when it comes to examining air quality permits for businesses implementing biodiesel operations. Over the long term, Smuggs will also examine how biodiesel affects equipment maintenance. Tom is optimistic that by increasing demand for biodiesel, Vermont will reduce its reliance on petroleum. He also sees the potential for growing a viable biodiesel sector in Vermont, where local agricultural producers could meet a portion of the state's fuel needs. Looking ahead, Tom predicts that pricing on biodiesel will be less volatile than that of petrodiesel, raising another benefit to the program.
Smugglers' Notch Resort plans to stick with a B20 blend until industry data definitively shows that B25 or B30 works as well or better. For summer months, Tom can picture using B100, but first wants to get all available information concerning the need for synthetic seals. The resort runs 3,000 to 3,500 gallons of diesel per year in equipment that's used in close proximity to guests, so there's an added incentive to increase the percentage of biodiesel in those applications. They use approximately 200,000 gallons of fuel in their snow making compressors and will be running them on B20 during the 2005-2006 winter season.
Supplies and delivery through Jack Corse Co. have gone well so far. Maintenance workers at Smugglers' Notch have been pleased about the lowered emissions, and equipment operators have not noticed any difference in performance using the B20, but have detected diminished odor with it.
Since beginning the biodiesel program, Tom has heard nothing but positive responses and witnessed mounting interest. He also finds himself fielding an increasing number of questions from environmental teams at other resorts and as well as from other types of commercial scale fuel users. Smuggs has seen the benefit of some good regional press since they began using B20, and there will be an article about them in a national ski magazine in 2006.
If there is any concern with using biodiesel, it's the uncertainty regarding the effect of extremely cold weather on the fuel. Tom and his maintenance people are looking into the additives necessary to avoid gelling. He's found a supplier who has a product formulated to lower the gel point to -40° F, which should be adequate for Smugglers' needs.
Over the past couple of years Tom has attended a number of public events focused on biodiesel, including both Vermont Biodiesel Workshops (at the Statehouse in September 2004 and Vermont Law School in June 2005) and a biodiesel orientation for fleet mechanics held at the Agency of Transportation Central Garage in Berlin.
From his vantage point, Tom sees these biodiesel programs as a way for the resort industry to provide leadership to other sectors. "There's a lot that needs to be done in the area of greenhouse gas (and other emission) reductions," he says, "and maybe this will be a catalyst for other businesses to lessen their impact on the environment. Smugglers' has been fortunate to be at the cutting edge of this renewable fuel movement in the Northeast. It's a proven technology that I'm personally pretty excited about, and I hope to see it continue with this kind of momentum."