City Moves Forward on Sustainability Goals Set in “Greenworks Philadelphia” Plan
Philadelphia, May 27 – Today Mayor Michael A. Nutter opened a new biodiesel refueling station, the fifth in the City. Currently 200 trash and recycling trucks and construction vehicles use biofuel and this new station will be able to serve an additional 35 to 40 vehicles. Each vehicle running on alternative fuel produces 20% less hydrocarbons, an ozone precursor, and results in a 10% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gases. This furthers the goals laid out in the City’s ambitious sustainability plan Greenworks Philadelphia to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and to improve the overall air quality of the City.
This program was started through collaboration between the Health Department, Fleet Management and the Streets Department. The Health Department applied for the State’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant which entirely funds this operation, with Fleet Management and the Streets Department dealing with implementation.
“Today’s biofuels station opening shows the best of what City government can do,” said Mayor Nutter. “Working with the Commonwealth, Departments from across Philadelphia are taking tangible steps to achieve our sustainability goals.”
These stations provide B20 blend fuel which consists primarily of soy, but also contains recycled oils from poultry or yellow grease. The City’s biodiesel program exclusively purchases Pennsylvania or U.S. produced biodiesel from the Energy Cooperative, a nonprofit member-owned cooperative that is based in Philadelphia.
Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilties Rina Cutler is proud to have Philadelphia’s fleet of recycling and trash trucks leading the way to a greener Philadelphia, “a biodiesel fueled fleet decreases our dependence on imported oil and reduces green house gas emissions.”
“Philadelphia has made great strides in improving its air quality over the years, but there is still much work to be done toward meeting our federal attainment goals for ozone and fine particulate matter. Using renewable, non-toxic biodiesel supports our ongoing effort to reduce harmful air pollutants while improving health outcomes for all our residents.”
“The City of Philadelphia should be commended for the leadership they are showing,” said Jossi Fritz-Mauer, Director of Biodiesel Distribution for The Energy Cooperative. “The sincerity of that commitment is demonstrated by the fact that the Office of Fleet Management is purchasing biodiesel as sustainably as they can–whenever possible, they buy biodiesel made from waste products by Pennsylvania producers and distributed by The Energy Cooperative, a local supplier.”
Greenworks Philadelphia, an ambitious, comprehensive framework to make Philadelphia the greenest city in the United States of America by 2015. It sets goals in five areas — energy, environment, equity, economy and engagement — and encompasses more than 150 initiatives. Together, they will reduce the city’s vulnerability to rising energy prices, limit its environmental footprint, and reposition its workforce and job development strategies to build upon Philadelphia’s competitive advantages in the emerging green economy.
Posted by City of Philadelphia 
