Pure Energy Fuels Ltd
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Todays Fuel For Tomorrows Future
Using Biodiesel In The Construction Industry
Makes sense or should that be pence?
a whole lotta pence..........
What are some of the benefits?
Health and safety of employees. Because biodiesel significantly lowers emissions of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and carcinogenic particulate matter, it promotes a healthier working environment.
Health and safety of the community. A major driver in requiring the use of biodiesel on a construction project is the health and safety of the community in which the project is located. The lower emissions of biodiesel are noticed immediately (although someone once complained the emissions smell made them hungry!) and because biodiesel has a higher flash point and lower flammability, it is safer to store on a project site. Biodiesel is non-toxic and about five times more biodegradable than diesel fuel, resulting in less costly remediation in the event of a spill.
Better for your equipment. The added lubricity of biodiesel benefits your vehicles by enhancing performance, prolonging engine life and decreasing fleet costs. Biodiesel has more cetane than diesel fuel, which results in decreased ignition delay and improved engine efficiency and power output.
Better for energy security. As a domestically produced fuel, biodiesel reduces our dependence on foreign oil. Given the uncertainty and cost volatility associated with imported oil, biodiesel provides a measure of energy independence and helps stabilize long-term fuel costs.
Here is What a Cross Section of Construction Firms From the States Have to Say About Switching to Biodiesel
Earthwise Excavation of Snohomish, Washington (Northeast of Seattle) began using biodiesel in its
construction fleet in November 2001 and since then has used more than 100,000 gallons of biodiesel. The company uses biodiesel in excavators, dump trucks, loaders, backhoes, bulldozers and diesel pick-ups.
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Turner Construction Company recently turned to cleaner burning biodiesel as a way to help protect the health of their workers at a construction site in Washington state. The company began using about 1,200 gallons a week of biodiesel in 20-25 pieces of construction equipment including excavators, dump trucks, bulldozers, loaders and forklifts -- at an 80,000 square foot data center being built in Quincy, Washington. “The welfare of our workers is a top priority for us and is the primary reason we made the switch to biodiesel fuel in our diesel equipment,” explained Darrin Nelson, Safety Manager for Turner Construction. “Biodiesel has helped us reduce diesel emissions and soot and provide improved environment for our employees and all of the people who enter our job site.” According to the company, they rank first or second in major segments of the construction industry.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation now fuels at least 250 state vehicles with a biodiesel
blend in the Johnson City, Knoxville, Nashville, Chattanooga and Cookeville areas. TDOT is using B20
(20 percent biodiesel) in heavy-duty dump trucks and large pieces of equipment, such as bull dozers and
back hoes, loaders, pavers, bobcats, track hoes and water trucks. “It's imperative that government and
businesses begin identifying ways to improve air quality,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.
“Using biodiesel is an effective way TDOT can reduce harmful emissions and protect our environment.”
The Cherokee Boys Club, in Cherokee, North Carolina (of the Eastern band of Cherokee Indians) is
responsible for the school system, social services and enterprise departments. They began running their
construction equipment on B20 last fall. All 28 of their school buses are fueled with a biodiesel blend.
“The Cherokee people are very environmentally conscious,” said Frank Cooper, Cherokee Boys Club
Finance Manager. “Living at the foot of Great Smokey Mountain National Park, we have seen first-hand
the effects of pollution on trees and water, as well on asthma rates. Using biodiesel seemed like a logical
step we could take to protect the environment, and to decrease dependence on foreign oil.”
Manatt’s, Inc., a diversified construction company with operations in ready-mix concrete, asphalt
paving, and other services based in Brooklyn, Iowa is running all of its diesel construction equipment on
biodiesel blends. The Des Moines Metro Division uses B5-B20 blends in about 100 pieces of diesel
equipment. “We are really pleased,” said Curt Manatt, Vice President. “We haven’t had any fuel-related
problems with our equipment since switching to biodiesel. In fact, at first I didn’t even tell our mechanics
that I had switched fuel because I wanted to see if they noticed a difference. They didn’t notice at all.”
North Bay Construction is a general engineering contractor specializing in grading, paving and
underground utility work, based in Petaluma, California. The company began using B20 in about a dozen
pieces of diesel equipment in June, 2006. They plan to begin using biodiesel blends in their entire heavy
equipment fleet (200 pieces) later this year. “We feel good about moving to a cleaner fuel that is
produced domestically and thus will provide a more secure source of energy,” said North Bay
Construction President & Owner, Steve Geney. “We believe our example can be a model for the industry
and are very excited about making the full switch to biodiesel in the coming months.”
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