Events & News

News: Coalition and Member Updates 

Oct. 2005

King County’s Use of Alternative Fuels and Hybrid Vehicles

King County is currently the largest user of biodiesel in the state of Washington. County agencies consume approximately 190,000 B100 equivalent gallons per year. Approximately 50,000 B100 equivalent gallons per year are used in heavy equipment operated by King County Solid Waste, and 140,000 B100 equivalent gallons per year are used in transit buses. The use of biodiesel for transit buses is expected to grow to 450,000 gallons when manufacturers’ approval is granted to use it in the new fleet of hybrid buses. The warranty on these buses currently prohibits the use of biodiesel. The fuel is used as a B5 blend with ultra low sulfur diesel.

King County’s use of fuel saving hybrids also continues to grow. In addition to 214 hybrid transit buses, King County operates over 125 hybrid Toyota Priuses and Ford Escapes. Fleet Administration anticipates that King County will save roughly 14,000 gallons of gasoline per year as a result of using hybrid cars. King County Executive Ron Sims is a strong supporter of the use of both biodiesel fuel and fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles.  

Oct. 2005
More biodiesel stations in Seattle.

The network of public-access biodiesel stations in the Puget Sound region has grown again. Seaport Petroleum has added two B99 pumps at its station in Seattle. One of the two pumps is a high-speed pump for fleets and tote filling while the other is a regular-speed pump for passenger vehicles. The station is located at 7800 Detroit Ave SW and allows 24-hour access with a credit card or one of their cardlock cards. Additional information is available by contacting Anna Mroczkowski at 206.805.4103.

Pettit Oil also provides B20 at its public-access station at 2535 Airport Way South in Seattle. MasterCard and Visa are accepted at the station, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call Sheryl Wiley at 800.532.3835 with any questions.  

Sep. 2005

Public access CNG station opens in Pierce County

Clean Energy in partnership with Pierce Transit has opened a self-service, public access compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling facility at Pierce Transit in Tacoma. Pierce Transit has worked with CNG as a fuel source for its buses since 1986 and now operates its buses solely on CNG. “We are pleased to help make CNG fuel available for use by the general public,” stated Pierce Transit CEO Don S. Monroe. "This is an extension of our organizational commitment to help improve the air quality of the Puget Sound region.” According to Sarah Smith of Clean Energy, “Clean Energy is very excited about our partnership with Pierce Transit and about expanding access to inexpensive, clean-burning, domestically-produced CNG in Puget Sound. We’ll have more public access facilities opening soon so stand by for more announcements.” Access is available 24 hours and CNG may be purchased with a Visa, MasterCard, Clean Energy Card or Voyager Card. The address of the facility is 3898 94^th Street SW in Tacoma. Questions regarding the facility can be directed to 800.663.4555. To reach the facility, take exit 127 off North- or Southbound I-5 (Puyallup/South Tacoma Way). Head north on South Tacoma Way. After the second light turn left onto 94^th Street SW. The facility is located on the left side at the end of 94^th about 0.2 miles from South Tacoma Way.