Water Bureau's 'workhorses' get biodiesel

Water Bureau's 'workhorses' get biodiesel
OregonLive.com - Portland,OR,USA
The Portland Water Bureau's vehicles began running Tuesday on fuel that is nearly 100 percent biodiesel, a move that will cut pollution and could help spur ...

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The Portland Water Bureau's vehicles began running Tuesday on fuel that is nearly 100 percent biodiesel, a move that will cut pollution and could help spur economic development if Commissioner Randy Leonard has any say.

Leonard, who oversees the Water Bureau, pushed to have about 69 of the 84-vehicle fleet switch to B99 -- fuel that is 99 percent biodiesel and 1 percent petroleum diesel. Previously, the fleet used B20.

Vehicles that run on biodiesel put less particulate matter into the air. Biodiesel also burns cleaner and cuts the amount of nitrogen oxides, which cause pollution.

"No one can argue with the environmental aspects of this," Leonard said. "But this move not only helps keep the air clean, but it could help pave the way to create jobs in Portland."

Leonard said the city is in talks with a company that is considering building a biodiesel plant.

"This is something that could be an important aspect of our economic development plan for the city," he said. "If we can pull this off -- and I'm hopeful that we can -- then we're going to create jobs and do our part by not relying as much on sources of foreign oil."

Most of the vehicles switching to the B99 fuel are considered the bureau's "workhorses." They include backhoes, dump trucks, graders, excavators and service trucks. Other vehicles include tractors, mowers, work vans and some passenger vehicles, said Tricia Knoll, a Water Bureau spokeswoman.

Don Holmes, the bureau's sustainability coordinator, said the move is "a big deal for a fleet like this. This is a great fuel to use, and it shows Portland's commitment to helping provide cleaner air and reduce the use of traditional oil."

Holmes said some vehicles in the fleet are too old to switch to the new fuel. In those cases, other fuel will be used until it's time for the city to buy replacements.

B99 is slightly more expensive, and the price varies from day to day. Officials say they expect the changeover to be "cost neutral," Holmes said.

The Water Bureau buys about 100,000 gallons of biodiesel each year, he said. City officials said they'll buy roughly the same amount of the B99 grade of fuel.

Leonard has positioned himself as the City Council's vocal leader on biodiesel issues. He pushed through an ordinance earlier this year that will require service stations in Portland to carry biodiesel beginning next year.

Leonard said he's talked with farmers across the state -- he's headed to Eastern Oregon in October to meet with still others -- and thinks there's enough support to build a diesel-producing plant.

"We'll have more options with biodiesel," he said. "Let's face it, alone, we're not going to change the direction of a national policy on oil consumption. But Portland has shown that it's a model on other things, and this can be another one.

"If our farmers can grow enough soybeans, canola and other crops, then we can create a huge demand for biodiesel here. It's going to create a niche in Portland. This is the future."

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