Maine Dairy Switches Fleet to B20 Biodiesel; Largest Private Biodiesel Fleet in New England

28 November 2006

Portland, Maine-based Oakhurst Dairy will have transitioned 130 delivery trucks—more than 90% of its fleet— to a B20 biodiesel blend by the end of 2006. This switch will make the Oakhurst fleet the largest private biodiesel fleet in New England, reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 1,332 tons per year.

The company made the switch as part of its commitment to the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, a first-in-the-nation voluntary carbon dioxide emissions reduction program initiated in 2004. Oakhurst was one of the first corporations in Maine to sign on to the Carbon Challenge, agreeing to cut direct emissions by 15% and indirect emissions by 5% (below year 2000 levels).

Oakhurst also cited the $0.08 per gallon reduction in the excise tax for motor fuel that contains at least 2% biodiesel as a reason for the switch to biodiesel.

The science behind global warming is irrefutable, and the evidence is mounting weekly that we have already begun to experience climactic changes caused primarily by our burning of fossil fuels. I am proud of the work we have done as a state to make Maine a leader on climate.

—Maine Governor John Baldacci

Maine was the first state in the nation to put forth a Governor’s Carbon Challenge, and was among the first to use biodiesel to heat state offices and buildings and to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The Maine DOT also plans to begin using biodiesel in the spring in some of its regions.

Oakhurst’s goal is to increase the biodiesel ratio in their fuel beyond 20% in the future, as long as no engine problems arise.

Over the past years, the dairy has taken a number of steps toward increasing efficiency of the fleet and meeting clean air standards. A few of these include:

• Recycling oil filters, anti-freeze and waste oil

• Installing equipment in refrigeration units to improve efficiency

• Purchasing retreaded tires, which often help produce better gas mileage

• Employing re-routing software to improve efficiency, saving 44,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year, representing more than 200 tons of avoided CO2

• Installing idle regulators to reduce emissions

• Switching to hybrid cars for the company sales vehicles

The Carbon Challenge. In 2001, the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers signed an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2010 and to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, with the goal of an overall 75% to 80% decrease from 2003 levels. In 2003, Maine became the first state to enact these goals into statute.