GMP fleet goes to biodiesel fuel
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Associated Press - Published: August 4, 2005
COLCHESTER — Green Mountain Power Corp. trucks may soon be giving off a slight whiff of French fries. The electric company is switching much of its fleet over to partial biodiesel fuel.
The trucks will be filled with a fuel called B20, of which 20 percent is made from animal fat and vegetable oil and 80 percent is conventional fuel, the company said in a statement.
The fuel is being provided by Champlain Oil Co. and will be used first in GMP trucks in Chittenden and Addison Counties. The company's Washington County fleet soon will follow suit, with trucks serving other areas to follow later, officials said.
"We're really excited that we can reduce emissions from our vehicles by using this fast-growing technology," Mary Powell, GMP's chief operating officer, said in the statement issued by the company.
"Biodiesel helps us to improve our environmental footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter," Powell said. "The use of biodiesel is important for climate protection as well as local air quality."
Champlain Oill Co. President Tony Cairns said his firm was "thrilled to be the first company to introduce and supply bulk quantities of biodiesel for commercial use in Chittenden County."
Use of B20 biodiesel is growing rapidly because it offers sig-nificant emission reductions at an affordable price and works with existing diesel engines.
Champlain Oil also will supply the fuel to the University of Vermont from a pump at its main office in South Burlington. The fuel will also be available for the public at a retail pump at the Jiffy Mart location at 1855 Shelburne Road.
According to the Vermont Biofuels Association, an estimated 100 million gallons of biodiesel will be produced in the U.S. by the end of 2005 an increase of more than 75 million gallons over the past two years.
The GMP statement said use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. The biofuel component is produced domestically, meaning reduced reliance on foreign oil.
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