CALVERTON, N.Y. — Metro, one of the New York metropolitan area’s independent fuel suppliers, celebrated the opening of its state-of-the-art biodiesel/bioheat clean fuel blending and distribution center. The company hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour for elected officials, business and community leaders, and environmental advocates. The facility, which is located at Enterprise Park at Calverton (EPCAL), was privately funded. It will be accessible by a revitalized rail spur made possible by federal and state funding, allowing Metro to transport its fuel more efficiently from its main facilities in Brooklyn. The same amount of fuel transported by 2,500 truck trips can be transported by only 100 rail trips. Federal stimulus money, allocated through the New York State Department of Transportation, contributed $4.8 million to the rail project. Additional funding from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), totaling $350,000 — including $150,000 for the biodiesel portion of the Calverton facility — and Empire State Development (ESD), totaling $650,000, provided funding to the rail revitalization. Speakers at the opening included New York state Sen. Kenneth Lavalle and New York Assemblyman Dan Losquadro.

Publication date: 11/21/2011