Biodiesel: The New Fuel

Vegetable oil-powered vehicles would cost the city more but produce less pollution.

1 minute read

December 4, 2002, 10:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


In an effort to reduce both air pollution and America'sdependenceon imported oil, the city of Berkeley's entire fleet of recycling trucksare now running on biodiesel. The alternative fuel, which comes from thecity's restaurants and doughnut shops, is now being considered for thecity's public works fleet. That move would make Berkeley the first city in the country to run itstrucks on vegetable oil. While biodiesel is nearly double the cost ofpetroleum-based diesel, prices are beginning to fall. It is also a lesspolluting fuel source than regular diesel.

Thanks to California Policy Forum

Tuesday, December 3, 2002 in The Oakland Tribune

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