Tucson to Convert Majority of Diesel Fleet to B20 Biodiesel
06 October 2006
Following successful trials of B20 biodiesel (20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel) in a number of diesel trucks that began in July, the city of Tucson, Arizona has announced that it intends to convert the vast majority of its diesel fleet to B20.
The B20 use will reduce the City’s consumption of petroleum diesel by about 200,000 gallons per year. Tucson has awarded a new fuel contract to Pro Fuels effective 1 October 2006.
The City’s cost of B-20 currently averages about 5 cents per gallon less than regular diesel fuel.
This successful pilot project is an important step forward in expanding the City’s use of alternative fuels. I commend our Fleet Services Division for their hard work on this project.
—Ward 6 Council Member Nina Trasoff
(A hat-tip to Jim Lombard!)
It's nice to see yet another US city getting out ahead of national politics and setting a practical, positive example. Biodiesel reduces PM emissions, CO2 emissions and dependence on foreign oil. With a B20 blend, NOx levels should be remain about the same.
There may be value in forming a purchasing collective with similarly progressive cities to create a market for diesel-powered police cruisers that meet Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions on top of the other requirements. Switching to clean diesel would sharply reduce the recurring fuel cost of police operations.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 07 October 2006 at 02:23 PM
We switched our sailboat engine to B20 what a difference!... :-)
Posted by: Andy | 08 October 2006 at 07:33 AM