FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 30, 2003
CONTACT: Linda Long,
(850) 245-2112
“Green” Fuel Keeps Greenway And
Trails Trucking Along
--Clean, renewable energy proves
effective--
CROSS FLORIDA GREENWAY– Imagine a fuel made from
homegrown vegetables, vegetable oil, fats and grease. The
Department of Environmental Protection is turning this
revolutionary concept into a reality. The Department’s Office
of Greenways & Trails is pumping a new “green” fuel
called biodiesel, made from these ingredients, into its fleet of
field trucks.
“Florida’s economy and quality of life depend on a clean
and healthy environment,” said Office of Greenways &
Trails Director Jena Brooks. “Using alternative fuel vehicles
reduces reliance on gasoline and protects Florida’s air, which
is especially important in a state known for the outdoors.”
The Office of Greenways & Trails began using the
alternative fuel in seven of its trucks in November. The field
vehicles tow tractors and heavy-duty maintenance equipment over
the rugged terrain of the 110-mile Cross Florida Greenway and
paved highways. The average vehicle travels over 300 miles a
week.
With more than 900 state-owned alternative fuel vehicles,
Florida is shaping the market for this and other clean air
technologies. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection
alone owns 102 alternative fuel vehicles, including 37
gasoline-electric hybrids– 13 percent of its car fleet.
“Adopting new, clean technologies protects our natural
resources,” said Mickey Thomason, manager of the Cross Florida
Greenway. “It makes sense to lead by example and operate
cleaner vehicles along the jewel in Florida’s statewide trail
system.”
According to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department
of Agriculture, biodiesel yields 280 percent more energy than
petroleum diesel fuel, while producing 47 percent lower exhaust
emissions. Biodiesel is less combustible than petroleum diesel,
making it as harmless as table salt and as biodegradable as
sugar.
Selecting alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles reinforces
Florida's commitment to clean air and the environment. Florida
is meeting new, more stringent federal clean air standards for
ground level ozone. Florida is one of just two states east of
the Mississippi, and the only highly urbanized state, that
currently meets all National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
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