New Jersey
Department of Transportation

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has approved an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) that paves the way for NJDOT to begin using biodiesel fuel in its diesel-powered vehicles. Under the terms of the agreement, the Board of Public Utilities will reimburse NJDOT for the incremental costs of purchasing biodiesel in lieu of petroleum-based diesel fuel. 

NJDOT is the third major entity to use B20 in New Jersey, following New Jersey Transit and the Medford Township School District.

“Expanding the use of biodiesel to a portion of the state’s diesel-powered vehicle fleet is consistent with (NJ Governor) Christie Whitman’s overall efforts to promote advanced fuel technologies,” said Transportation Commissioner and New Jersey Transit Chairman James Weinstein.   

The NJDOT project is funded using Petroleum Overcharge Reimbursement Fund (PORF) monies, which are federal funds resulting from settlements with major oil companies for reaping excess profits during the energy crises of the 1970s.   

NJDOT agreed to begin using biodiesel after meeting with representatives from the Medford Township School District, which has had a successful biodiesel program in its school bus fleet for the past three years.    

World Energy Alternatives supplies the biodiesel for New Jersey Transit and Medford Township School District.  The company will also supply the fuel for NJDOT.  For more information about World Energy, visit http://www.worldenergy.net.

Picture courtesy of NJDOT.