On May 29, the city of Gadsden, Ala., showcased its switch to cleaner biodiesel fuel for many of its garbage trucks, dump trucks, tractors and other heavy equipment.
A press conference took place at the public works department’s new B20 biodiesel tank, which now services 146 diesel-burning vehicles.
The soy-based fuel is 20 percent domestically produced biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. It currently costs 1 cent less per gallon than traditional diesel. That cent is expected to add up to at least $5,000 a year in savings.
In addition, biodiesel produces less air pollution, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 15 percent.
“We are being kinder to the environment, we are saving money, and we are reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” Gadsden Mayor Sherman Guyton said. “There’s no downside to that. It’s a win-win-win-win.”
Biofuels 