Vermont Company Putting Biodiesel in Line Trucks
reen Mountain Power in Colchester, Vt., has begun blending biodiesel fuel made from animal fat and vegetable oil in its trucks.
Green Mountain began introducing the clean-burning, organically produced fuel to its more than 20 diesel-engine line trucks in Chittenden and Addison counties areas last Wednesday.
The fuel mixture came about as a result of a new fuel arrangement with Champlain Oil Co., Green Mountain said.
Green Mountain Power will use B20 biodiesel — a blend of 20% biomaterial and 80% conventional diesel. B20 biodiesel is the industry standard because it offers significant emission reductions at an affordable price and works with existing diesel engines, it said.
According to the Vermont Biofuels Association, an estimated 100 million gallons of biodiesel will be produced in the United States by the end of 2005 — an increase of more than 75 million gallons over the past two years.
Use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine can result in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. In addition to its environmental benefits, it decreases dependence on foreign oil, Green Mountain said.
