Mayor David Bieter will direct City of Boise departments to use biodiesel fuel in city vehicles as often as possible, with the goal of reducing petroleum consumption and cutting smog-causing emissions.

The mayor will formally announce his executive order at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, during a ceremony to mark the opening of a new public biodiesel pump at the Main Street Stinker Store, 2323 Main St. The ceremony, hosted by state Department of Water Resources Director Karl J. Dreher, is being held to mark Idaho Renewable Fuels Awareness Days during the month of September.

The majority of biodiesel sold in the Treasure Valley is “B10” or “B20” – diesel fuel comprised of either 10 percent or 20 percent biofuel. The use of biodiesel offers economic, air quality and energy security benefits. As interest in biodiesel has grown, so have the economic opportunities for farmers and production facilities. Use of biodiesel lowers tailpipe emissions of some air pollutants. The biofuel used in biodiesel is produced in the United States, which helps limit U.S. dependence on imported oil.

“Biodiesel is gaining popularity because it’s good for the environment and can be used in almost any diesel vehicle built in the past 10 years,” Mayor Bieter said. “By moving to biodiesel as much as possible, our city fleet will be cutting petroleum use in those vehicles by 10 to 20 percent – one to two gallons with every fill-up. We hope businesses and the public will follow that fine example.”

Last month, the City of Boise and its partners in the Treasure Valley received “Clean Cities” designation from the U.S. Department of Energy for their commitment to increased availability and use of alternative fuels. In November 2004, Mayor Bieter directed city departments to use another alternative fuel, 85 percent ethanol (E85), in compatible city-owned “flex fuel” vehicles whenever practical and to purchase such vehicles when they “available and otherwise meet needs and specifications.”