Safeway's California and U.S. Truck Fleet Goes Green

Safeway, one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, announced recently a conversion its entire California and U.S. truck fleet to biodiesel fuel.

According to Safeway...

The biodiesel initiative makes Safeway one of the first major retailers in the United States to convert its entire fleet of more than 1,000 trucks to cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel. The decision by Safeway will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75 million pounds annually, the equivalent of taking nearly 7,500 passenger vehicles off the road each year.

"Safeway is proud to lead by example to help protect the environment," said Chairman, President and CEO Steve Burd. "Using biodiesel to power our transportation fleet will prevent millions of pounds of carbon emissions from being released into the environment. Our biodiesel program is just one of many initiatives underway that will make a positive impact on the environment."

In Northern California, Lt. Governor John Garamendi will join Mr. Burd for an unveiling of the company's newest biodiesel fueled big rig at a 3 p.m. ceremony on Friday at the company's Dublin, California store. The store is one of the company's green store, and is powered by solar energy. The on-site Safeway fuel center is powered by wind energy.

"Safeway's environmental leadership is a shining example of how businesses can adapt and become a major player in the fight against global warming," said Lt. Governor Garamendi. Thinking green can no longer be a choice in the business world when looking toward the future. Smart businesses are looking over the horizon, and understand that the risks and opportunity associated with this critical issue must be part of their overall plan to grow and to be successful in the future."

Source: Safeway

Trucking firm puts biodiesel to the long-haul test

As the concern over fuel prices grows, biodiesel is gaining support as an alternative fuel.

Wallaces Farmer reports on the Decker Truck Line Inc., the first major trucking company to compare a biodiesel blend (blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel) to regular diesel fuel.

According to the article, the B20 soy biodiesel blend has given outstanding performance over 350,000 miles.

Are you using biodiesel in you truck? What do you think of it? Leave a comment and tell us our story.

Will 5% biodiesel diesel fuel be mandatory for trucks?

According to Etrucker.com, the chairman of ASTM International’s biodiesel task force recently said all diesel fuel will eventually be 5% biodiesel.

Right now there are standards for 100 percent petroleum diesel (D975) and 100 percent biodiesel, or B100 (D6751). Mixing the two together has not been standardized.

The change to biodiesel is not going to happen overnight. Engine manufacturers still have to work out performance issues and biodiesel makers have to create an acceptable blend.

Four congressmen recently announced at the National Biodiesel Board’s 2007 Conference and Expo in San Antonio that they support a national biodiesel standard, in agreement with American Trucking Association.

Does this mean that future truck stops will smell like french fries? Hard to say at this point. But what do you think? Are you ready to fuel up your big rig with biodiesel? Leave a comment and tell us what you think.