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Biodiesel Fleet Experiences
Hoover, Alabama, Supports Biofuels
Last Updated: April 08, 2011
Hoover, Alabama, is a town where renewable biofuels reign supreme. Three hundred thousand gallons of E85 are consumed each year by its flex-fuel police vehicles. Hoover also leads the state with 88% of their municipal vehicles using some type of advanced fuel, including biodiesel.
Commercial B20 is used by their public works fleet, but the city also makes its own biodiesel. Since 2007, a recycling program allows residents to drop off their waste vegetable oil for processing. Biodiesel fuels 40 municipal vehicles, including city trolleys.
Tony Petelos, mayor of Hoover, says,"We're collecting about 1,000 gallons a month from 21 small restaurants that don't have a means to dispose of the cooking oil as well as from our residents in the City of Hoover. We convert that into biodiesel." In 2009, Hoover joined a pilot program that converts wood waste and yard debris into E85 ethanol. Clearly, the City of Hoover is making it happen when it comes to biofuels.
Boulder Wants to Add Electric Vehicles to Its Alternative Fuel Fleet
Last Updated: April 04, 2011
Boulder, Colorado, has made a city-wide commitment to alternative-fuel vehicles. Its lineup of flex-fuel police cars and light-duty pickups is a small sampling of the nearly 200 alt-fuel vehicles put into service since 2001. Along with E85, many of Boulder's maintenance trucks and street sweepers use B20 biodiesel. Propane is also part of the alt-fuel mix. Boulder also plans to convert 15 of their gas-electric hybrids to plug-in power. Charging stations will be installed around town with some of the current coming from solar energy.
Joe Castro, facilities and fleet manager of the City of Boulder Public Works, says, "We are looking at building a smarter electrical infrastructure with not only plug-in hybrids but also renewables, such as solar."
Nearly half of Boulder's fleet already is alt-fuel with a goal of 90%--a goal that will help ensure Boulder's Rocky Mountain view stays majestic.
Knoxville Utilities Board Uses a Variety of Alternative Fuels
Last Updated: April 04, 2011
The Knoxville Utilities Board in Tennessee has over 30 years of experience with alternative fuels with nearly 90% of their current vehicle fleet now using less gasoline and diesel fuel as a result. Besides vehicles that run on compressed natural gas and E85, KUB's fleet includes 14 hybrid electrics including bucket trucks used to repair power lines. Two off-road electric Tiger trucks have said "no" to petroleum, and many of their largest vehicles run on B5 biodiesel.
The utility is also involved with the EV Project, which will bring a charging network to the Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville triangle region. Chris Wilson, fleet supervisor of KUB, says, "We want to get that corridor covered with electric charging stations where folks can get to and from those areas without having to use any type of fuel." KUB is displacing more than 46,000 gallons of petroleum a year using alternative fuels, demonstrating their strong commitment as an environmental steward for the residents of K-Town.
Austin Municipal Fleet Runs on Alternative Fuel
Last Updated: March 21, 2011
The Austin, Texas, municipal fleet uses a wide array of alternative fuel vehicles including propane, biodiesel, hybrid electric, compressed natural gas, and E85. All play a part. Plus, EMS vehicles use solar panels to reduce wasteful idling. Austin's goal is a carbon-neutral city fleet by 2020. Almost 55% of their vehicles already use alt fuels with 30 new vehicles to go green next year.
"Anytime we can start using a renewable fuel source-an alternative fuel source that originates here in this country-then we're helping ourselves internationally in doing that. And we're helping the environment at the same time," says Austin Fleet Officer Gerry Calk. Austin also plans to add plug-in electric hybrids to its fleet and install EV charging stations around town to support them, making this once-oil-centric Texas capital among America's most alt-fuel-savvy cities.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Trying to Clear the Air
Last Updated: March 07, 2011
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park that straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, is the place where eco-friendly hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are now helping to preserve this lush landscape. In 2006, beautifully wrapped and decorated hybrid cars were donated to the friends of Smoky Mountains by Toyota.
Since then, the park has received grants to help purchase additional alt fuel vehicles like E-Rods electric utility vehicles. One is used by maintenance crews; the other is an integral part of the Elk Bugle Corps that educates the public about the park's wildlife. Also new are seven hybrid SUVs and a new biodiesel filling station. The park's maintenance vehicles use B50 year-round, a switch that took a little getting used to.
According to Sam Owl, fleet manager for the park, "There was a learning curve with biodiesel because filters were plugging up and cleaning out the old fuel when we first switched to B50. But once we got past that curve, it seems like things are going pretty good now." The park is working closely with the Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition in Asheville, North Carolina, a perfect partner to help showcase the Smokies' naturally green beauty.
Yellowstone Leads the Way to Alternative Fuel
Last Updated: March 07, 2011
The National Park Service is entrusted with preserving and showcasing America's natural wonders and historical landmarks, maintaining 392 national parks covering millions of acres of land and water in all parts of the country, and plays host to more than 275 million visitors every year. No other place on earth has this much natural diversity and spectacular scenery in one accessible place than America's first national park: Yellowstone.
So it's no surprise that this is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. More than a million private vehicles and three million people traverse the park during the six months it's open every year. Yet the very act of admiring the scenery or stopping for one of Yellowstone's infamous wildlife jams-those daily backups caused by elk, bison, and bears blocking the road or just spotted nearby-is endangering the pristine environment that makes this place so special.
To combat the problem, the Park Service is committed to alternative fuel vehicles as a major part of their environmental stewardship program. In fact, a biodiesel-powered 1995 Dodge Ram pickup was the National Park Service's first alt-fuel vehicle, and it's still in service in Yellowstone with over 200,000 miles on its clock. Ask stakeholders in the Department of Energy's Clean Cities program: Yellowstone leads by example. All of their heavy vehicles run on biodiesel blends up to B40 in the summer. The park fleet also contains a number of flex-fuel E85 vehicles, advanced technology hybrids, and a few small electrics.
But park management is also looking to the past for inspiration. Jim Evanoff of the National Park Service explains, "Yellowstone had a very unique transportation operation prior to World War II, when we had a fleet of yellow buses. We had close to 400 of these old yellow buses that would transport people as they got off the trains in Gardiner and West Yellowstone and take them into the park. And most importantly, there was a driver that was very well educated and well versed in interpreting all the park's features to the visitors. After World War II, America fell in love with the private automobile and the station wagon, and nobody wanted to ride in these old yellow buses anymore, and they were slowly put out of service."
Amazingly, at its peak, Yellowstone was the second largest bus company in the nation behind Greyhound. Now, to reduce the volume of vehicles on the park's roads, Yellowstone has commissioned a small fleet of new biodiesel-powered yellow buses to use as employee shuttles and to serve as clean fuel ambassadors in nearby communities. The park has also acquired and refurbished eight of the original old yellow buses and put them back into service-once again giving guided tours in portions of the park.
Yellowstone is not as well suited to mass transit as other national parks, though. Parks with limited access or a single tourist attraction can more easily corral visitors' cars in one place and make use of shuttles. Glacier National Park's famous vintage red tour buses are still in daily use, plying visitors over the road to the sun. And they were retrofitted a number of years ago to run on clean propane while modern tour buses at Mammoth Cave National Park and others around the country are running on clean alternative fuels as well. Evanoff explains, "We're not just looking at alternative fuels but also looking at more green procurement. We're looking at water conservation opportunities, renewable energy such as from the sun or falling water.
Other park programs, like recycling and composting and a new partnership with Michelin to test low-rolling resistance tires, all tie together to reduce vehicle use, lower emissions, and save fuel. And the National Park Service hopes the influence of their good example extends beyond the park gates.
Norwich Connecticut Public Utilities Uses a Variety of Alt Fuel Vehicles
Last Updated: February 27, 2011
The Norwich, Connecticut, Public Utilities Company has assembled the largest municipal fleet of natural gas vehicles in the state. NPU has been using alternative fuels since 1995. Today, they operate 33 CNG vehicles including a sewer jet used to clean out sewer lines. NPU also has a hybrid electric bucket truck, two hybrid SUVs, and 15 biodiesel vehicles including a mini excavator and dump truck. They fill up at their new B20 refueling station built with the help of a federal grant from the Department of Energy.
John Bilda, general manager of NPU, says, "Wherever there's a vehicle and we can match that vehicle up with a compressed natural gas or an alternative fuel source, we're just simply expanding the fleet in that direction." Federal funding will also be used to transform this lot with 10 EV charging stations right next to a public CNG refueling station that's helping to make the Rose of New England a sweet-smelling, cleaner, greener city.
Sevierville, Tennessee Moves People on Propane Hybrid Trolleys
Last Updated: January 19, 2011
Visitors to the City of Sevierville, Tennessee, are touring the town in eight propane-fueled hybrid electric trolley cars. The city purchased the vehicles in 2005 to help reduce air pollution. Propane produces fewer tailpipe emissions than diesel fuel, and it reduces the city's reliance on imported oil.
But these propane hybrid trolleys are only the tip of Sevierville's green initiative. They are also the proud owners of a pair of larger plug-in hybrid buses used for special events. The city has also added four dedicated propane trolleys, a CNG bi-fuel pickup, and some 30 specialized municipal vehicles including a new refuse truck that runs on renewable B20 biodiesel. Sevierville is a community leader doing its part to keep the Volunteer State ready, willing, and green.
Mammoth Cave National Park is Committed to Alternative Fuel
Last Updated: December 01, 2010
In 1999, Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky made a commitment to use E85 ethanol in its small fleet of flex-fuel vehicles and installed their own refueling station. Today, more than a decade later, all of the park's 41 vehicles run on alternative fuels, including biodiesel, propane, and electricity.
The park has converted six school buses from gasoline to propane. They take nearly 175,000 visitors a year to cave entrances. Rangers use these gem all-electrics to patrol campgrounds and assists with parking.
For years, Melissa Howell from the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition has worked closely with the park to develop a strong alternative-fuel program?an effort that fits in perfectly with the National Park Service's mission to protect and preserve our country's most vital natural resources.
City of Ann Arbor Promotes Green Fleets Program
Last Updated: March 09, 2010
The City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, embarked on its Green Fleets Program in 2004 with the initial goal of reducing the municipal fleet's gas and diesel use by 10% before 2012. They achieved that in half the time and then set their sights higher: To use 30% renewable energy across all municipal operations by 2010, and they are meeting that goal, too.
"First of all, it's important for the City of Ann Arbor to green its fleet to help us fight climate change," says Andrew Brix of the Ann Arbor energy commission. "But the bigger impact is that we get to use fuels that are produced here in Michigan and in the U.S., and that keeps money in the local economy."
Ann Arbor's fleet uses a wide variety of clean alternative fuels, including E85, compressed natural gas in both light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and up to 50% blends of biodiesel. They are also field testing this hybrid electric lift truck and plan to buy two of them.
Ann Arbor is showing that even a small city fleet can make a big environmental statement. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Gloucester County Schools Fill Up with Propane
Last Updated: March 01, 2010
The MotorWeek success story of the week comes from Gloucester, Virginia, where the county school system has added five newly designed Blue Bird buses that run only on propane. With a full load of propane, driving range is comparable to a diesel-fueled bus with a 60-gallon tank. Bus drivers love how quiet the new buses run. Other benefits include lower maintenance costs.
According to school administrator Roger Kelly, "The cost per mile is significantly lower--about 10¢. The price per fuel is over $1 per gallon cheaper."
With the help of government grants, school officials hope to add five more propane buses next year. Gloucester also uses biodiesel in their remaining bus fleet--all in an effort to provide cleaner air for most-precious cargo. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Committed to Alt Fuels for 20 Year
Last Updated: November 20, 2009
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport began experimenting with biodiesel in 1987. Today, they have close to 400 vehicles that run on B20--including light-duty trucks, runway sweepers, tow trucks, and front loaders. Their aircraft rescue firefighting units and emergency generator also run on the cleaner burning fuel. A new biodiesel electric hybrid bucket truck is used to change out terminal lights. The airport is also in the process of converting a majority of its gasoline-powered fleet to run on natural gas. The onsite CNG fueling station currently serves 35 shuttle buses and 60 airport maintenance vehicles.
"We are trying to educate the public through the airport and through St. Louis Clean Cities about the use of biofuels by doing promotional stuff about us being able to clean up the atmosphere in our area," said Michael Bernich, fleet maintenance manager for the airport. Lambert-St. Louis is one airport where reducing the use of petroleum fuels has been a top flight priority for over 20 years. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
University of Oklahoma Adopts Variety of Alternative Fuels
Last Updated: November 10, 2009
The University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., has 160 vehicles that run on alternative fuels, including five low-speed electric vehicles. Two of the electric vehicles are used for on-campus mail delivery. OU also operates 43 electric utility vehicles and golf carts on campus sidewalks and paths that are used by maintenance and physical plant staff.
Beth Gatewood, OU assistant administrator of printing, mailing and document production, said the low-speed electric vehicles save the time and expense of refueling and are ready to go after recharging outside her building. "Besides being fun and quiet," Gatewood said, "we can get in all the small places on campus we need to squeeze through."
Central Oklahoma Clean Cities stakeholders since 1995, the University of Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Services, which includes Fleet Services operations and Cleveland Area Rapid Transit (CART), fuels 53 flex-fuel sedans and SUVs with E85, 41 heavy duty trucks and CART buses with B20, and 15 heavy duty and light-duty passenger vehicles and shuttle buses with CNG at its new Transportation Operations Center, a multi-fuel, state-of-the-art fueling, maintenance and operations facility. The center has four fast-fill CNG hoses at 3600 psi, and eight slow-fill CNG hoses in addition to four pumps for biodiesel and ethanol.
The university also has three hybrid electric passenger cars in its fleet that fuel at the facility which also dispenses gasoline and ultra low sulfur diesel.
At the official opening of the Transportation Operations Center in March 2009, OU President David Boren said the university is committed to the environment and the new Transportation Operations Center is a symbol of that commitment. Boren has made it university policy if an alternative fuel vehicle is available for the type of vehicle needed, the university will purchase the AFV.
OU Fleet Services plans to add five CNG buses to the CART fleet with 2009 federal stimulus money and will purchase and convert two new Chevrolet Impalas with assistance from an award from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments' 2009 Public Fleet Conversion Grants program. ACOG's Public Fleet Conversion Grants? program is administered through its Clean Cities program office.
New York City Sanitation Uses A Variety of Alternative Fuel Approaches
Last Updated: November 05, 2009
The New York City Department of Sanitation, the nation's largest municipal refuse fleet, is making great strides in using clean, alternative fuels. Among the array of vehicles is the hybrid hydraulic garbage truck, the only one in the country in its weight class. The agency is also testing hybrid electric and natural gas powered refuse trucks.
NYC's 2,000 other diesel refuse trucks run on renewable B5 biodiesel as do 450 of their street sweepers. Another 25 are fueled by compressed natural gas, and the alt-fuel list continues with hundreds of light duty gasoline-electric hybrids used by field supervisors along with 6 all-electric GEMs that move around the repair shop.
Collecting 22 million pounds of garbage a day using vehicles that are less dependent on petroleum is how NYC's Department of Sanitation is keeping it "clean and green" in the Big Apple. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Dallas County Schools Run on Biodiesel and Propane
Last Updated: October 19, 2009
Dallas County Schools in north Texas has made alternative fuels a priority. With the fifth largest school bus fleet in the country, DCS even makes its own biodiesel. Each week 400 gallons of waste vegetable oil is put through a maze of tanks, tubes, and filters and converted to biodiesel, which is then blended into B10 and B20 to fuel over 1000 buses.
In April, DCS unveiled its Fryer Flyer, a school bus with twin fuel systems, one carrying biodiesel, the other carrying biodiesel made from processed waste vegetable oil. Propane is also being used as an alternative to traditional petroleum fuels. This new propane-powered bus is one of 600 such units, with a further 100 buses due for conversion from gasoline. All of which makes Dallas County Schools a leader in providing clean and green benefits for north Texas and beyond. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Kansas City Updates With Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Last Updated: October 08, 2009
In 1996, the City of Kansas City, Missouri instituted a fleet-wide alternative fuel program. Today, more than 200 compressed natural gas cars, trucks, and vans fuel up at the city's central CNG station. Also, their 1,100 diesels run primarily on B20 and B50 biodiesel. In June, 2009, Kansas City received the first 4 of 19 Diamond International trucks upfitted for CNG. Used to repair water main breaks, they are some of the largest rigs to run on CNG. According to Sam Swearngin, "We're kind of proud of the fact that these trucks are the cleanest trucks you can buy on the planet that do what they do and operate right here in our neighborhood. "The alternative fuel program extends to the Kansas City International Airport, where 35 shuttle buses also run on CNG, all to make "KC" cleaner and less dependent on oil. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Alternative Fuels Are Key to Airport Transportation in Portland
Last Updated: August 24, 2009
The Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon has become a dedicated user of alternative fuel vehicles in almost every aspect of operation from baggage loading vehicles to shuttle buses, police vehicles, and street maintenance equipment. PDX began replacing conventional petroleum diesel buses with vehicles fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG) in 1997 and currently has 46 dedicated CNG vehicles including 26 shuttle buses, 6 Ford Crown Victorias, one Honda Civic, one F450 service truck, a forklift, 9 vans and two step vans. PDX also has two bi-fuel CNG/gasoline pickups and two vans. Propane vehicles include four forklifts and 1 small scrubber/sweeper. There are 15 flexible-fuel vehicles fueled with E85 and seven hybrid light-duty vehicles used for police activities.
Biodiesel also plays an important part in the alternative fuel plan. PDX has fueled its diesel vehicles with B20 since 2002 and currently operates 26 heavy-duty on-road vehicles including four buses, 19 trucks and three F450 service vehicles plus 27 additional pieces of off-road equipment.
PDX installed fueling infrastructure to meet its alternative fuel needs. The airport currently has CNG, LPG, and B20 fueling stations on the property, althought it cannot sell fuel to other fleets or the public because of access limitations. PDX is also looking to expand CNG availability by adding an additional fueling station or purchasing back-up components for its existing infrastructure.
Rick Elliott, aviation maintenance superintendent, points to lower emissions and longer operational life, which means more miles between rebuilds, as advantages to the alternative fuel fleet. "Whenever we look at purchasing a vehicle, our first question is 'Is it available in an alternate fuel?'" Elliott said. For more information, contact Rick Elliott at the Port of Portland.
Carmeuse Uses B99 in Limestone Mining Equipment
Last Updated: July 27, 2009
The Carmeuse Lime Mine Company now includes B99 (99% biodiesel; 1% petroleum diesel) in the assortment of biodiesel blends it uses in its underground equipment operating in two Kentucky lime mines. Carmeuse began using B99 (99% biodiesel; 1% petroleum diesel) one year ago at both their Black River (Pendleton County) and Maysville (Mason County) sites. The Maysville mine continues to use B99 exclusively, while the Black River mine uses blends ranging from B50 to B99. Between the two mines, one million gallons of biodiesel are used annually. Biodiesel was not unfamiliar to Carmeuse operations when the company began using the fuel at the higher blend in 2007. Carmeuse officials had worked with the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC) and the Kentucky Division of Energy to address mining industry regulations for underground air quality. The regulations, established in 2001 by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), adopted new limits on human exposure to diesel particulate matter (DMP) in underground mines. MSHA is the governing body that sets limits for the concentrations of DPM in the atmosphere of a mine as well as limits for personnel exposure. A pilot biodiesel program, launched at the Kentucky mines in 2003, was conducted in two phases, using two different biodiesel blends (B20 and B50) with No. 2 diesel. The testing was done in conjunction with the Governor?s Office of Energy Policy and KCFC. The results, published by MSHA, showed a significant reduction in DPM. In the Black River mine study, B35 use resulted in DPM reductions between 16% and 33%. Inside equipment cabs, where DPM concentrations are higher, the DPM reductions were between 40% and 55%. In the Mayfield mine study, B50 use resulted in DPM reductions between 49% and 71%. Since these studies were done in 2003 ( Maysville study and Black River study) both mines have switched to using B99, with the help of the Commonwealth Clean Cities Partnership.?By utilizing biodiesel as their primary fuel, Carmeuse supports the health of their workers and the health of the Kentucky and U.S. farm economy,? said Jeff Lykins, president of KCFC.Contact: Bob Mondron, Sourcing Manager, Carmeuse (Bob.Mondron@carmeusena.com)
L. L. Bean Delivers With Biodiesel
Last Updated: June 19, 2009
L.L. Bean was the first major Maine-based company to test biodiesel in its distribution fleet, and now boasts a growing fleet of heavy-duty vehicles that operate exclusively on B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel, 80% diesel. Tractor rigs move merchandise between various warehouse and store locations while shuttle buses take customers from the retail store to various Outdoor Discovery School locations operated by the company. Fuel comes from an onsite 800-gallon, skid-mounted tank installed by Frontier Energy, Maine's only full-service supplier of B100 and blended biofuels.
L.L. Bean is committed to environmental stewardship and has made the purchase of B20-capable vehicles a key part of its purchasing policy. In the past two years, the fleet has grown from 8 to 13 tractor rigs and from 8 to 17 shuttles, and now uses approximately 20,000 gallons of B20 annually. The company reports no problems with B20, even during intense winter seasons.
The company also supports other environmental outreach programs. L.L. Bean donated $1 million in 2002 to support Acadia National Park's free, propane-powered bus system as part of its support for protecting the environment. The propane buses have been so well accepted that the company made an additional $1 million donation to finance additional vehicles. L.L.Bean's financial support for Acadia underscores the company's ongoing commitment to responsible recreation, conservation, and preservation. "We hope others will join L.L.Bean in supporting America's national parks," said company CEO Chris McCormick.
While propane was not workable for L.L.Bean's own on-road fleet due to fueling logistics, the company has found that B20 fits its needs perfectly. For additional information about L.L. Bean's use of biodiesel, contact Carolyn Beem at cbeem@llbean.com cbeem@llbean.com
University of Illinois-Chicago Fleet Invests in AFVs
Last Updated: June 01, 2009
Diversity on campus has a new meaning in Chicago. The University of Illinois-Chicago's (UIC) transportation system for innercampus and commuter transport includes a variety of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). The fleet includes 12 light-duty hybrids, 37 flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), 26 vehicles that operate on B20, two compressed natural gas (CNG) cargo vans, and a CNG Crown Victoria. In addition, nine CNG Blue Bird buses transport an average of 2,000 people daily around the campus. All in all, AFVs represent 36% of their fleet.
With the help of two Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grants received through the efforts of the Chicago Area Clean Cities coalition, the university installed CNG infrastructure. "We now have two slow-fill dispensing units and we have added two quick-fill CNG units," says Pablo Acevedo, associate director of facilities management at UIC. The university's program extends its reach even farther by allowing vehicles owned by the City of Chicago to fill up at the UIC facility.
Acevedo explains that there are pluses and minuses to his CNG vehicles. "Parts and maintenance are more costly for the CNG vehicles than for regular diesel vehicles. It's also important to get the right kind of training for our mechanics who work on the CNG vehicles." On the plus side, the AFVs use less expensive fuel and reduce pollution caused by burning diesel.
The CNG and FFVs are purchased based on mandated levels dictated by the state and alternative fuel provider section of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The CNG-powered vehicles were first purchased in 1997. "The decision back then was based on cost savings and environmental concerns," Acevedo says. "Those are the same reasons we continue to add CNG vehicles to our fleet."
There's always room for more advanced vehicles--and UIC is interested in the all-electric, commercial Ford Transit Connect van, which is expected to have a range of 100 miles per charge and a top speed of 70 miles per hour.
"UIC's commitment to its alternative fuel program and its involvement in the coalition make it an exemplary fleet in the Chicago area," says Chicago Clean Cities Coordinator Samantha Bingham. "We are happy to assist UIC as well as other coalition members with everything from technical assistance to identifying funding."
Disneyland Resort Moves With CNG and Biodiesel
Last Updated: April 29, 2009
Disneyland Resort, Inc. is continuing its commitment to the environment by introducing two initiatives to reduce its petroleum use while maintaining its reputation for excellent guest services. The Resort has begun using compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel its 16 guest trams that transport guests between Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure park, and parking facilities. The switch to CNG from a diesel/hybrid engine was made possible through a $1.17 million grant from the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program, which paid for nearly half the conversion costs. According to Disneyland transportation specialists, using CNG will eliminate the need for approximately 50,000 gallons of diesel per year.
The Carl Moyer grant was created by the California state legislature in 1998 to encourage the use of alternative fuel vehicles. Each year, the California Air Resources Board disburses money to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which administers Carl Moyer funds in Southern California.
The Resort is also using a special B99 biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil to power its Disneyland Railroad steam trains and the Mark Twain riverboat. The move is expected to save approximately 200,000 gallons of petroleum diesel per year, according to Frank Dela Vara, Disneyland Resort's director of environmental affairs and conservation. The Disneyland Railroad's five trains have been using a soy-based biodiesel since April 2007. The B99 used cooking oil-based biodiesel will continue to reduce emissions by up to 80%.
Cranmore Mountain Resort Uses B20
Last Updated: May 30, 2008
Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway, New Hampshire, has been recognized by the National Biodiesel Board for proving the viability of biodiesel in winter conditions through its use of B20 to operate four snow groomers since 2003. The resort uses more than 20,000 gallons of B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% diesel) each year, which results in a 4,000-gallon reduction in the use of conventional diesel. The resort also invested in a 4,000-gallon above-ground, non-heated biodiesel storage tank with collaborative help from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the Granite State Clean Cities Coalition.
According to Director of Operations Jim Mersereau, Cranmore's use of biodiesel has resulted in a significant improvement in air quality because it burns cleaner than conventional diesel. "This is especially true when the machines are being worked on in the repair shop," says Mersereau. Employees have also found that not only is biodiesel better for the environment but it is convenient to use. "We have never had any problems with the biodiesel fuel in the cold, and we didn't have to make any modifications to our machines in order to use it," Mersereau says.
For additional information on Cranmore Mountain Resort, visit the Web site at http://www.cranmore.com or contact Jim Mersereau at jmersereau.mc@boothcreek.com.
Portland Water Bureau Leads the Way with B99
Last Updated: December 19, 2007
Oregon's Portland Water Bureau (PWB) is committed to using the highest blend of biodiesel available. Since 2006, it has been using B99 (99% biodiesel, 1% diesel) in its city-owned, diesel-powered vehicles and equipment from spring through fall and B50 (50% biodiesel, 50% diesel) in the winter.
PWB's switch to B99 is the latest in a string of initiatives aimed at building alternative fuel infrastructure in the region and state. "We're doing our part to increase biodiesel demand and help spur the development of Oregon-based production facilities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease reliance on foreign oil," says Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard. A long-time biodiesel advocate and an instrumental leader in the bureau's switch to biodiesel, Leonard promotes B99 as a cleaner-burning renewable fuel and an opportunity to boost the local economy.
To that end, the biodiesel used by PWB is locally produced. The city's partners in the effort--Oregon-based Star Oil and SeQuential Pacific Biofuels--blend and distribute the fuel, while regional farmers (from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana) grow the seed crops that eventually become the feedstock for B99. PWB and its project partners are stakeholders in the local Columbia Willamette Clean Cities coalition.
With PWB's approximately 144 vehicles--ranging from backhoes and forklifts to dump trucks and tractors--running on B99, the emissions benefits are adding up. During the first quarter of 2007, the fleet offset:
- 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide.
- 1,800 pounds of carbon monoxide.
- 519 pounds of sulfur oxides.
- 170 pounds of particulate matter.
- 126 pounds of hydrocarbons.
Contact: Rick Wallace, Columbia Willamette Clean Cities coordinator, 503-378-3265.
B99 Fuels States Logistics Services
Last Updated: October 26, 2007
States Logistics Services, based in Buena Park, Calif., is a family-owned business that is in it for the long haul. The third-party packaging and transportation company has taken a giant step into the future by deciding to fuel its Class 8 trucks with B99, a blend of 1% diesel and 99% biodiesel. The company made the move after its customer, Clif Bar Inc., inquired about biodiesel fuel. States Logistics did the research and decided to jump in at the B99 level.
"Reduced emissions was the key motivation in our decision," says States Logistics sales manager Matt Montford. "Our drivers report that the trucks are quieter, are smoother to operate, and there's no black smoke." The International trucks have Cummins ISM 425V 410 engines. States Logistics Services uses approximately 10,000 gallons of B99 annually. On-site fueling is provided by General Petroleum Co. The company also leases trucks, and these vehicles operate on B5 based on limitations set by the leasing company.
"We see the move to B99 as a way to support our customer and it sets us apart as a forward-looking business. We believe it's the right thing to do," Montford concludes.
For more information, contact Matt Montford at States Logistics Services.
Salt Lake City International Airport
Last Updated: September 27, 2007
The Salt Lake City International Airport is a major western U.S. hub serving 18 airlines that operate 450 scheduled daily departures. Its location within the city limits of Salt Lake City puts it in an EPA air quality nonattainment area for particulate matter. The airport has instituted a Clean Fuel Program in an effort to reduce airport vehicle emissions by using alternative fuels.
The airport parking shuttle fleet includes 13 35-foot buses and six 40-foot buses that are CNG powered. Due to a recent rapid growth in airport parking, the airport purchased five used diesel buses that are running on B20 biodiesel. Altogether, the fleet operates 24 hours a day and travels more than 600,000 miles per year.
The airport has begun to replace its aging 35-foot buses and the five diesel powered buses with a fleet of 19 40-foot low-floor CNG buses. The rest of the airport fleet consists of 96 light-duty vehicles (49 CNG, 10 electric, 8 hybrid, and 39 biodiesel) along with the CNG buses and three CNG heavy-duty trucks. Through these combined efforts, the airport has reduced its regulated emissions output by approximately 17,498 pounds per year when compared to a similarly sized fleet running on gasoline and diesel.
The airport also has CNG fueling infrastructure as the result of the combined efforts of the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program, Utah Clean Cities, Salt Lake City Corporation, Questar Energy Services, Utah Energy Office, Utah LP Gas, and Utah Hotel & Lodging Association. The fueling facility was positioned to accommodate the airport's CNG fleet as well as private ground transportation providers. It is open 24 hours a day and is also available to the public.
The airport offers private ground shuttle companies a $2,500 credit for driving an alternative fuel vehicle on airport property and using the passenger pickup restricted access lane. By working together with private fleets and the public, Salt Lake City International Airport has succeeded in its quest for clean air through the use of alternative fuels and vehicles.
For more information about alternative vehicles at the Salt Lake City International Airport, contact Ed Napier at ed.napier@slcgov.com.
Hoover Municipal Government Runs on Alternative Fuels
Last Updated: September 24, 2007
With a population of around 65,000, Hoover, Alabama, is the sixth largest city in the state. The City of Hoover currently operates 179 flex-fuel vehicles as well as 21 other light-duty vehicles, 60 medium- and heavy-duty trucks, two buses, two shuttles, and 96 off-road vehicles on B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. The city currently boasts that 80% of the fuel used by its fleet is alternative fuel.
Hoover's police force operates 130 of the flex-fuel vehicles, which are fueled 100% of the time on E85. The remaining 49 flex-fuel vehicles are used by the city's administative personnel. Hoover has also started a test program to use B20 in its fire trucks and plans to forward the results to the National Fire Protection Association.
Hoover may also be the first municipal government in the U.S. to manufacture its own B100 using waste vegetable oil collected from local restaurants. The city also plans to start home collection of waste vegetable oil by providing gallon jugs to homeowners who want to participate.
"The price of the alternative fuels is below the price of petroleum fuel. With our own B100 production, we might even turn a profit," says David Lindon, fleet management director for the City of Hoover. "The mayor and the city council are committed to clean fuel. It's the right thing to do for our energy security and it's cost effective."
For more information about the alternative fuel program in Hoover, Alabama, contact David Lindon, Fleet Management Director, City of Hoover.
Carnegie Mellon University
Last Updated: September 21, 2007
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pa. is an environmentally responsible institution on several levels. A key element in its mission to reduce petroleum consumption on campus is to use alternative fuel vehicles whenever practical. In July 2007, six university shuttle buses began operating on B20 biodiesel fuel. The infrastructure for B20 has been established in the Pittsburgh area and the fuel is conveniently available at a local refueling location.
CMU had originally invested in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles but found that the CNG infrastructure did not develop in the region as anticipated. "We found that infrastructure is an essential component for any alternative vehicle program to become sustainable," said Barbara Kviz, environmental coordinator in Facilities Management Services. The university is now in the process of selling its CNG vehicles.
A campus-wide survey conducted with faculty and staff reinforced CMU's expanded scope of interest in assisting employees with finding alternative transportation to work. Other approaches established to help reduce petroleum consumption include support for public transportation through bus passes provided to students, faculty, and staff and special parking privileges as a carpool incentive for commuters. Facilities Management Services also uses 10 electric vehicles for transportation around the grounds and a new fleet of campus police cars will use E85 ethanol fuel.
For more information, contact Barbara Kviz, Environmental Coordinator, Facilities Management Services, Carnegie Mellon University.
Clark County School District
Last Updated: September 21, 2007
The Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the fifth largest in the nation. It spans more than 8,000 square miles and provides transportation to approximately 138,000 students. The district currently has 1,450 school buses that use biodiesel and plans to add 100 buses every year for the next five years. The fleet travels more than 18 million miles and consumes more than 3 million gallons of biodiesel (B20 blend) each year. That adds up to 600,000 gallons of petroleum displaced annually.
The school district initially tried using biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil, but found that the vehicles performed better with 100% soybean oil. The district was also able to take advantage of the one dollar per gallon tax incentive for using soy oil. The school district currently has 10 biodiesel fueling stations throughout the Las Vegas area. In addition to the school bus fleet, the district operates more than 500 other vehicles including food service trucks, construction equipment, water trucks, backhoes and mowing machines on B20.
"In Nevada, 90% of the vehicles we purchase are required to run on alternative fuels. We could meet that standard by using B5, but we are using B20 and are happy with the results," explains Frank Giordano, director of vehicle maintenance. "We get the same mileage as we would with petroleum, and we believe we are providing a cleaner atmosphere."
For more information, visit the Clark County School District transportation website.
Auburn Tigers Switch to Biodiesel
Last Updated: September 21, 2007
Auburn University's orange and blue Tiger Transit buses are now green. The transit fleet of more than 40 vehicles has made the switch from regular diesel fuel to biodiesel. The switch comes at a time when ridership is at an all-time high. The one-day record was set during the first week of fall classes in 2007 with 17,000 riders.
The buses are initially using B10 biodiesel, which is a blend of 10% biodiesel and 90% petroleum diesel. But fleet managers expect to move to B20 in the near future. The biodiesel fuel is made from soybean oil produced by Alabama Biodiesel Corporation in Moundville and distributed by R.K. Allen Oil Company in Talladega.
While the cost of biodiesel is similar to regular diesel fuel, Dave George AU's director of parking and transit services, says there are many advantages to using biodiesel. Biodiesel actually helps keep the inside of the engines cleaner, and passengers and drivers appreciate the reduction in exhaust fumes. "There's almost no odor compared to the smell of regular diesel," George says. "Plus we get better fuel mileage with biodiesel."
"Auburn's leadership on alternative sources of energy starts on campus," according to AU President Jay Gogue. "Tiger Transit's switch to biodiesel illustrates our commitment to improving energy security for the United States and promoting economic growth through development and use of renewable bioenergy."
For more information about the biodiesel switch of Auburn University, contact Mike Clardy at clardch@auburn.edu.
Eastman Chemical Switches to B20 Plantwide
Last Updated: September 21, 2007
In 2005, after only one month of testing B5 biodiesel fuel in its diesel fleet, Eastman Chemical Company moved all of its diesel vehicles to B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel fuel. Now, two years later, the entire fleet has transitioned to B30. The diesel fleet, located at the Kingsport, Tennessee facility, numbers about 200 pieces and includes tractor trailers, cranes, medium-duty trucks, bulldozers, dump trucks, backhoes, and farm tractors. Eastman also has more than 150 pieces of diesel-powered stationary equipment, such as welders, air compressors, generators, and water pumps that are fueled with biodiesel.
The decision to move from B5 to B20 and then from B20 to B30 was based on positive comments from drivers about equipment performance and decreased odor and smoke. Darren Curtis, a staff engineer with Eastman's transportation department, says the company switched to biodiesel because it was an excellent opportunity to do something beneficial for the community and the environment at the same time. "It's not often that something this simple and easy comes along that can have a potentially major impact on the environment and the community."
In mid-2007 Eastman took B20 to a new level using it to fuel its onsite locomotives that are used for in-plant switching operations. According to Curtis, the move has been a smooth one. "We moved the rail system first to B10 and then a month later went to B20. We don't anticipate any unexpected problems based on three things: our previous experience with biodiesel blends, our experience thus far with B10 in the locomotives, and Genesee & Wyoming's (GWI) testing of biodiesel." GWI own the locomotives and perform the in-plant switching, and Eastman provides the fuel. Curtis credits GWI with extensive testing using biodiesel blends.
The switch has triggered a lot of interest in the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia areas, according to Curtis. The general hope is that other large users of diesel fuel will follow Eastman's lead. "Eastman alone can make a small contribution, but it's going to take everyone working together to make the kind of impact we'd like to see," he says.
For more information, contact Betty Payne at Eastman Chemical.
Redwood National and State Parks
Last Updated: August 22, 2007
Located near Eureka, California, the Redwood National and State Parks are currently using a variety of alternative fuels in its fleet. They are using biodiesel (B20) to operate 32 heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) used for park maintenance. The park also uses five light-duty electric vehicles and two Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) for light maintenance and park transportation. In addition, the park has an electric tractor vehicle used to haul cleaning supplies to the restrooms, pick up and transport garbage, and to perform routine maintenance work. "The electric tractor is quieter than a conventional vehicle, and it does not disturb the wildlife as much," says Roads and Trails Supervisor Richard Mayle.Redwood National and State Parks currently has an onsite biodiesel (B20) refueling station. "Biodiesel is inconsistent because it usually takes a few weeks to get a shipment to our remote location. Sometimes the fuel arrives in a few days and other times it takes a couple of weeks," says Mayle. "Biodiesel also costs a little bit more than conventional fossil fuel diesel, but we have noticed that biodiesel is cleaner and seems better for the environment."
For additional information, visit the Redwood National and State Parks website or contact Richard Mayle at richard_mayle@nps.gov.
Louisville School Buses Fueling with Biodiesel
Last Updated: March 15, 2007
Since mid December 2006, all the buses operated by the nation's nineteenth largest school district have been fueled with B2--a blend of 2% biodiesel, 98% diesel. With approximately 97,000 students, Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District in Louisville, Kentucky, operates 1,100 school buses, which travel more than 85,000 miles a day. According to School Superintendent Stephen Daeschner, the district expects to "significantly reduce" exhaust emissions through the use of more than 50,000 gallons of biodiesel per year.
The Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC) played a key role in initiating biodiesel use by JCPS. It helped the district develop bid specifications for the fuel and line up distributors. More importantly, KCFC helped convince Marathon Oil Company to start blending biodiesel at its fuel terminal in Louisville and obtained grants (from the Kentucky Soybean Board, National Clean Cities Inc., and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program) to help it do so. This is only the second fuel terminal of the nation's fifth largest refiner to blend biodiesel. Marathon is now distributing B2 and B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% diesel) for a variety of other customers. "Fuel availability was a huge factor for the school district's move to biodiesel; it started using it shortly after Marathon started blending it," says KCFC Coordinator Melissa Howell.
According to Howell, JCPS fuels the buses from its own fleet facilities at seven depots where many of the district's students transfer from one bus to another. This depot system makes the air quality benefits of using biodiesel particularly important because students have to switch buses in a location where hundreds of buses are operating.
With an incremental cost of only $.02 per gallon, 35 Kentucky school districts are now using biodiesel in their buses. The state offers a tax credit for biodiesel producers and is looking forward to the opening of a major biodiesel production plant within the coming months. Owensboro Grain expects to have a 50-million-gallon-per-year facility--far larger than existing plants in the state--operational in Owensboro, Kentucky, sometime this summer.
For further information, contact Melissa Howell, KCFC Coordinator, 502-452-9152.
