Congratulations to King County Metro Transit for taking another step toward cleaner bus emissions and choosing biodiesel. Metro has committed to pilot the use of a blend of five percent biodiesel and 95 percent Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), called "B5" over the next two years, and is already using the fuel at its Ryerson and Bellevue bases. It hopes to power its entire fleet of more than 1,200 diesel buses with the biodiesel by the end of 2006.

This new demand will have a significant impact on the local supply and demand of biodiesel. Combined, King County Metro Transit buys 10 million gallons of fuel per year. A 5% mix would amount to 500,000 gallons. This pilot project is being partially funded through a grant from Seattle City Light.

King County Metro Transit is taking another major step toward cleaner emissions and energy independence, as it turns on the pump and begins fueling its buses with biodiesel.

Biodiesel is a fuel that is made from natural ingredients, such as the seed crops that are used to make vegetable oil. Metro has committed to pilot the use of a blend of five percent biodiesel and 95 percent Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) over the next two years, and is already using the fuel at its Ryerson and Bellevue bases. It hopes to power its entire fleet of more than 1,200 diesel buses with the biodiesel by the end of 2006.

Although King County's primary concern is cleaner emissions, the project could also lower the price of biodiesel, and create new markets for Washington farmers.

The pilot project is being partially funded through a Seattle City Light mitigation program. The City of Seattle is a national leader in greenhouse gas mitigation and works towards the 2005 goal of becoming "greenhouse gas neutral."

Over the past several years, Metro has switched all of its diesel buses to ULSD. This was done far in advance of the federal regulations that will soon require all diesel vehicles to use the clean-burning fuel. The fuel switch reduced particulate emissions by 90 percent in Metro's buses. Now, the addition of biodiesel to the fuel mix will help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide coming out of the tailpipe.

Because Metro buys more than 10 million gallons of fuel a year, even a five percent addition of biodiesel will result in a big increase in demand for fuel distributors. Metro believes this will open up the local biodiesel market to other consumers, such as school districts, small trucking firms and even individual car owners.

"Metro Transit's commitment to piloting the use of biodiesel will make it the single largest user of the fuel in the State of Washington which will, in turn, significantly increase markets for this clean burning alternative to fossil fuel," said King County Executive Ron Sims.

Because biodiesel is a not a fossil fuel, the state's agricultural boosters are excited that it could create a whole new cash crop for Washington's farmers. Demand for biodiesel has been growing rapidly, and now the industry has reached a tipping point where the first in-state commercial-scale production is viable. Farmers and fuel producers throughout the region are actively pursuing business plans to bring this new clean, renewable industry to Washington State.

Since Metro purchases more than 10 million gallons of diesel a year, it expects to purchase approximately one-half million gallons to operate the entire fleet on the biodiesel blend.

Over the next two years, Seattle City Light and King County will monitor the program and document actual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions tied to Metro's use of the biodiesel.