By Maria Carter
Kansas City, MO – Kansas City, Missouri will soon start using more biodiesel in city vehicles. KCUR's Maria Carter reports.
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The city has been using B20, a mix of regular diesel with 20 percent biodiesel, in its trucks and heavy machinery. Now, the city is expanding a pilot program using a half-and-half mixture of biodiesel to all fleet vehicles. Gerry Calk manages the city's fleet. He says with the high price of oil, the city will save money from the switch.
Gerry Calk: Biodiesel because it's not dependent on Mid-East oil supplies or petroleum products tends to vary somewhat less than regular petroleum based diesel does. Now, the differential is in the favor of using more biodiesel.
Calk says price is not the only factor in the city's decision. Biodiesel is also better for the environment, reducing hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter emissions. The city will switch back to B20 during the winter months because that blend of fuel works better in lower temperatures.
Maria Carter, KCUR News.