2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lindsay Mirabito
                  May 31, 2006
                  (607) 561-1673

MIRABITO FUEL GROUP OPENS BIODIESEL FUELING STATION IN ONEONTA, NY

Oneonta, NY -- The Mirabito Fuel Group today announced the opening of a new public biodiesel fueling station at their Carbon Street, Oneonta, NY location. The station is funded in large part by a New York State Clean city Challenge Program Grant through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The announcement was made during a press conference held at the fueling station in Oneonta. President of Mirabito Fuel Group, Joe Mirabito, was joined by NYSERDA Vice President Robert Callender, Senators Tom Libous and James Seward, Assemblyman Bill Magee, Oneonta Town Supervisor Duncan Davie, Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) Representative Martha Clarvoe, Otsego County Chamber President Rob Robinson and business leaders.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to team up with NYSERDA and OCCA on this project," said Joe Mirabito. "This state-of-the-art biodiesel fueling site will allow us to highlight the use of alternative energy sources that will lead to our country reducing its dependence on foreign oil."

 The New York State Clean Cities Challenge, which OCCA is a member of, awards funds to members of New York's Clean Cities organizations to purchase alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and/or refueling infrastructure.  Clean Cities organizations in New York State include the Genesee area; Syracuse area, New York City, the Capital District, Western New York, and Long Island as part of a national grassroots effort to promote the use of AFVs.

OCCA presented the idea to Mirabito's in 2004 with the idea of obtaining a grant from NYSERDA to help cover the initial expense of building the fueling site. The total amount of the grant awarded to the Mirabito Fuel Group was $142,800.00 is approximately 75% of the cost of the project.

"Governor Pataki has asked New Yorkers to produce and use alternative energy sources which will reduce our dependency on foreign oil," said NYSERDA President

Peter Smith.  "The projects in Sidney and Oneonta will help meet that goal and provide the public with an alternative fuel in the form of biodiesel.  The use of this fuel has been limited in this area of New York State due to the lack of supporting infrastructure. I am pleased that NYSERDA and Mirabito Fuel Group will work together to address this issue and provide the public with the biodiesel fueling facilities necessary."

"Biodiesel is a very easy way for our country to lessen its dependence on foreign oil producing countries and offer a more environmentally friendly fuel for consumers," said Mirabito.  "It is a win-win situation for energy suppliers, energy consumers, the state of New York and the environment."

Mirabito Fuel Group installed a 20,000 gallon tank and a loading and unloading dispensing system at its Sidney terminal.  The tank is being used to store B100 fuel, an alternative, soy-based diesel fuel produced from renewable and recyclable resources such as vegetable oil. B100 is 100 percent biodiesel, burns cleaner than traditional diesel fuel, is biodegradable, non-toxic, and reduces greenhouse gases and hazardous emissions such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide.  The site has 24-hour access through the use of the Mirabito Fuel card.

A 10,000 gallon tank has also been installed in Oneonta for the storage of B20 fuel, which is a diesel fuel mixture that contains 20 percent biodiesel, and 80% ultra low sulfur diesel fuel.  A fuel dispenser and pump will also be installed.  It is estimated that approximately 38,000 gallons of B20 will be sold to fleets and citizens with diesel vehicles at this site during its first year of operation.

NYSERDA, through its New York State Clean Cities Challenge Program is providing more than $142,800 towards these projects. NYSERDA funds come from State Energy Plan monies provided to New York State by the Department of Energy and administered by NYSERDA. This is the sixth round of funding for the State's Clean Cities Challenge, and the Mirabito projects are one of six projects that will be funded statewide.  Total funds allocated to the six projects are approximately $800,000.

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