Although the smallest of the four major metropolitan cities in the state of Tennessee, the city of Chattanooga has acted first in moving all 385 pieces of their diesel vehicles to a biodiesel blend. They began using B5, 5 percent biodiesel blended with 95 percent petroleum-based diesel, on February 24, 2005, and plan to move to a B20 blend in the next couple of months.

“We’ve started with B5 and will operate the fleet on that blend for a short period, then move to B20 when everyone is satisfied with the first step,” said Brian Kiesche, Fleet Manager for the city. “Everything we’ve got, from refuse trucks, dump trucks and heavy equipment like earth movers, bulldozers, front-end loaders, backhoes, to light- and medium-duty diesel pick-up trucks, will run on the biodiesel blend.” Although the fleet includes many different types of diesel engines, the largest portion is International engines.

Mayor Littlefield stated, “The City of Chattanooga is deeply concerned with providing quality city services in an efficient and environmentally suitable manner. Having our diesel trucks using biodiesel not only moves our city farther down the technological highway, but allows us to better serve our residents and protect our environment.”

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be produced from vegetable oils or animal fat. It reduces almost all emissions, generally shows an improvement in fuel economy, and reduces wear and tear on diesel engines.

All three diesel tanks at the main fueling facility, located at 12th Street and Park Avenue, are now holding the blend. That includes two 20,000 gallon tanks and one 8,000 gallon tank. On an annual basis, they consume roughly 500,000-600,000 gallons of diesel. Assuming consistent use of a B20 blend, their pure biodiesel consumption could top 100,000 gallons annually. With the ETCFC having a goal of reaching 1,000,000 gallons of B100 consumption within two years, they could be 10 percent of that total in one fleet. “That’s a very significant number for our region, in growing our use of cleaner-burning, renewable fuels in the on-road sector,” noted Jonathan Overly of the ETCFC.

Mr. Kiesche attended an ETCFC district meeting in Chattanooga last summer and learned various facts about biodiesel, in addition to seeing a biodiesel vehicle demonstration. “I found out that not only was it compatible with current diesel engines, but there really weren’t any downsides (in using biodiesel),” stated Mr. Kiesche.