News Release
January 22, 2003

For More Information, Contact:
Meg Kester, Marketing & Communications Manager
Intercity Transit, 360-705-5842

The public transportation agency in Thurston County, Intercity Transit, has begun using an cleaner burning fuel called “biodiesel” in its fleet of 67 buses. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel being used by an increasing number of businesses regionally and nationally. Made from natural, renewable resources such as plant vegetable oils, it produces significantly less air pollution, is biodegradable and is safe for the environment. It also reduces dependence on foreign oil.

The transit agency is using a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel. Known as B20, this alternative fuel blend has been shown to reduce particulates by 20 percent, carbon monoxide emissions by 13 percent and total hydrocarbon emissions by over 10 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.

Intercity Transit tested use of biodiesel on several of its buses in 2002 and found no operational difficulties. In fact, because biodiesel acts as a fuel lubricant, the agency’s Maintenance Director speculates that it may extend the life of bus engine components. Beyond the environmental benefits of biodiesel, Intercity Transit was attracted to using this fuel type as it can be used in any conventional diesel engine without modification and stored safely anywhere that petroleum diesel fuel is stored.

Particulate levels, regulated under the federal Clean Air Act, are high in the Puget Sound region.  Lacey Mayor and Intercity Transit Authority Vice Chair, Graeme Sackrison states, “Intercity Transit’s voluntary shift to biodiesel use is being done to address the new federal emphasis on reducing particulate levels in our area. In the long run, this effort will benefit everyone.”   

Long term use of biodiesel will depend upon pricing, availability and performance. Intercity Transit officials expect that as demand increases, cost will drop. The current wholesale price of the B20 biodiesel blend runs about 20 cents above petroleum diesel. Although Intercity Transit joins other agencies already using this new fuel, it is the only transit district in Washington State currently operating on this fuel type. The Intercity Transit Authority is banking that more agencies throughout the Puget Sound will make the switch. Current users include the City of Tacoma, using the fuel in its entire fleet of refuse haulers, and McChord Air Force Base using biodiesel in more than 400 of its vehicles. Intercity Transit is currently the only transit district in Washington State using biodiesel fuel.

Regional use of biodiesel has grown to more than 500,000 gallons annually, according to Linda Graham, Director of the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition. The Coalition is a collaboration of public and private entities working to increase the use of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and natural gas, for use in motor vehicles.

“Having a transit district in our region step forward to use of biodiesel sets an example for others and shows leadership in expanding the use of alternative fuels in the region. The commitment to alternative fuels addresses the substantial air quality and energy security concerns associated with the continued use of traditional petroleum fuels,” states Graham.

Nationally, biodiesel is one of the fastest growing alternative fuel markets, with current national production at more than 80 million gallons annually and hundreds of major fleets operating on biodiesel including transit agencies, military bases, school districts and delivery fleets.

Biodiesel is made from vegetable and animal oils and recycled restaurant greases. The most common feedstock for biodiesel is oilseed crops such as soybeans, canola, cottonseed and mustard seed. 

Intercity Transit Gets State's Top Environmental Award  The Washington State Department of Ecology presented its Environmental Excellence Award to Intercity Transit during a joint transit Authority and Citizens Work Group meeting November 17, 2003.

Intercity Transit has also been recognized by the Coalition with the Alternative Fuels Sustainable Commitment Award.