News from The Olympian, Olympia Washington:
OLYMPIA -- Garbage trucks that meander through neighborhoods now will operate on biodiesel, a cleaner-burning fuel that produces less air pollution.
The city is placing its fleet of 40, which includes garbage trucks and heavy-duty vehicles, on biodiesel this week. The move is expected to cut emissions by 16 percent and eliminate 200 tons of greenhouse gases a year, said Mike Williams, a consultant working with the city.
"There are areas in intersections in Lacey at College and Sleater-Kinney that are extremely polluted, and even downtown by Water Street and Fourth Avenue," Councilwoman Jeanette Hawkins said, adding that the city has been looking at alternative fuels for about 10 years. "Everything we can do to help clean up our air and improve the quality is good."
Biodiesel is made from vegetable and animal oils, and recycled restaurant greases. It produces less pollutants such as carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas that can be poisonous.
The city pays $1.49 per gallon for biodiesel, compared to $1.23 a gallon for regular diesel, said Liz Hoenig, public works spokeswoman.
"The bottom line is it may not be the cheapest, but it meets one of our values," Hawkins said. "It's the same argument about recycling. Is it less expensive than throwing everything in one pot? If you develop the market for it, it can be, and it is."
Read the full article...
