Testimony from Richard S. Dovey, Atlantic County
Utilities Authority President (September2004):
The Atlantic County Utilities
Authority began using biodiesel in August of 2004 for a test fleet of five vehicles
in our solid waste and recycling division. The New Jersey Biodiesel Fuel Rebate
Program helped to make the program possible by providing rebates based on the
incremental costs of purchasing biodiesel. If the month-long pilot program is
successful, we will extend our participation in the program by including our entire
fleet of 69 vehicles for a period of one year. Currently, the fleet utilizes approximately
350,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year. If the entire fleet begins to use biodiesel,
more than 70,000 gallons of diesel fuel will be saved each year.
The vehicles
are using a B20 biodiesel blend. We chose to use the B20 blend because it is the
most economical choice, as no modifications were needed for our vehicles. We also
support farmers in the nation by increasing our reliance on domestic fuels.
It
also is an ecological choice as the blend has fewer emissions than regular diesel,
which is beneficial to our health and atmosphere. The B20 blend releases 20-percent
less unburned hydrocarbons, 12-percent less carbon monoxide, and 12-percent less
particulate matter into the air we breathe.
As an environmental authority
in our area, the use of biodiesel has helped us to abide by our mission statement
and "…enhance the quality of life though the protection of waters and
lands from pollution by providing responsible waste management services…"
and we ". . . continue to use new technologies, innovations and employee
ideas to provide the highest quality and most cost effective environmental services."
