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As of Jun 02, all general-purpose government vehicles at Wright-Patterson AFB are fueled with biodiesel, a "cleaner" alternative to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning fuel made from natural, renewable resources, such as vegetable oils. The biodiesel that the base uses is called B20 (20% vegetable oil, 80% diesel fuel).
WPAFB is the second base in AFMC to use biodiesel fuel and hopes to be the first to achieve the 20 percent reduction in use of fossil fuel as mandated by Executive Order 13149, which states that each agency that operates 20 or more motor vehicles within the United States must reduce its entire vehicle fleet's annual petroleum consumption by at least 20% by the end of fiscal 2005, compared with fiscal 1999 petroleum consumption levels. The base fuels management office receives approximately 20,000 gallons of biodiesel fuel per month which is used at the base's two military gas stations. One major advantage to using biodiesel fuel verses other alternative fuels is that no storage tank or vehicle adjustments/modifications are necessary for the fuel.
GSA and many automobile manufacturers also approve the use of biodiesel fuel.
According to a technical assistance fact sheet on biodiesel, it offers excellent lubrication and lower air emissions compared to petroleum diesel fuel. It cuts exhaust emissions, minimizes black smoke, odor, and greenhouse gas emissions, air toxins, and particulates, and does not contribute to sulfur dioxide emissions (acid rain).
Use of biodiesel also meets the goal of Executive Order 13101, "Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition." This order states that once biobased products are identified, affirmative procurement programs are encouraged to give consideration to those products.
Information on Wright Patterson Air Force Base's pollution prevention program can be obtained through Mr. Chris J. Tumbusch, Christopher.Tumbusch@wpafb.af.mil, or (937) 257-2184 x216.
December 2002