Another step for biodiesel in Florida

The Florida Department of Agriculture has announced that its Division of Forestry will begin using biodiesel fuel in some of its heavy equipment and maintenance vehicles, including motor graders, tractors, backhoes and loaders.

The Division of Forestry will test a mixture containing 20 percent bio-diesel and 80 percent regular diesel (B20).  The Department notes that the cost of biodiesel is the same or slightly less than regular diesel, it is less polluting and it requires no engine modifications.

The Division of Forestry uses more than 1 million gallons of fuel per year, with diesel usage accounting for 65 percent of that total. 

The program is being laucnhed in two of the division's largest districts -- Withlacoochee, which includes Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Pasco and Sumter counties, and Blackwater, which includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties.

In making the announcement, Agriculture Commissoner Charles Bronson reitereated his committed to reducing the state's depenedence on foreign oil.
"We have been working with our agricultural producers, university scientists and businesses with the capability of constructing processing facilities to come together to make Florida a leader in the production of alternative fuels," Bronson said.  "It is important that public agencies do their part and demonstrate a commitment to the program."

Click here for the Agriculture Department's press release

- David Adams

Comments

[Vicky]

So where can a person (with a diesel car)go in FL (except for Lake City, those folks are ahead of the rest of slow florida) pull up to a pump, put in their little plastic card, and pump biodiesel directly into their little car's tank? Why is that so difficult. Ever travelled anywhere else? It is readily available in Greenville, SC for c's sake!