CO: Fort Collins
Some Transfort city buses and other city diesel-burning vehicles are burning B20 biodiesel fuel, a blend of 20 percent vegetable-oil-based fuel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. About one-fourth of the fuel used by these vehicles will be B20.
The innovative idea is worthy because it is a step in making Fort Collins less reliant on foreign oil. Some farms in eastern Colorado grow mustard seed to produce biodiesel. The fuel also burns cleaner than traditional diesel. Early emissions tests show that B20-fueled vehicles have reduced their emissions anywhere from 5 percent to 31 percent.
Fort Collins has long been the leader in testing alternative methods to improve air quality and reduce pollution, such as offering wind power and purchasing other alternative-fuel vehicles.
One caveat: The "experiment" cost the city about $1,200 more for 5,000 gallons of fuel. That cost is expected to drop within the week because of new tax incentives. However, city officials must continue to monitor the price differential and weigh the cost and air-quality benefits, particularly at a time when the city budget is already so stretched.
Source: Article published Mar 9, 2005 in the Coloradoan