PORT ANGELES – By December 2008, 2 percent of the diesel fuel sold in the state must be biodiesel under a state law passed in 2006.
The requirement will increase to 5 percent when the state director of agriculture determines that at least 3 percent of the necessary supply can be produced from in-state sources.
So to avoid the equivalent of being stuck with a record player in a compact disc world, the city has begun converting its vehicles to biodiesel now, about two years ahead of the deadline.
The city’s biodiesel program will begin with all the city’s public works vehicles using about 20,000 gallons of a blend of conventional diesel fuel mixed with 5 percent biodiesel, or B5, said Bill McKenzie, fleet manager for the city’s public works department.
Conversion of Fire Department vehicles may follow later, depending upon manufacturer warranties regarding use of the alternative fuel, he said.
“The new ladder truck is good but I want to make sure the warranty is OK on any new Fire Department vehicles,” McKenzie said.
