Final Report Rochester Vehicle Fleet Alternative Fuels Systems Study

Section E:
On Site Presentation/Demonstration for
Biodiesel
Background
The AFFS (Alternative Fuels Systems Study) required an “on-site” biodiesel tour and
demonstration. The Fleet Counselor team examined biodiesel usage patterns in the
Rochester/Western New York State area. It soon became clear that no suitable fleet
using biodiesel in the vicinity of Rochester could be identified for an on-site tour.
Moreover, no biodiesel production facility was yet on-line in the area, eliminating
that alternative. An alternate plan was considered whereby a biodiesel fleet user
could be brought in to brief the PAC on his/her fleet’s experience with biodiesel. The
evaluation scope was expanded to potential fleets from the available user cohort in
the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Utilizing experience and contacts gained
from past attendance at the National Biodiesel Board and Clean Cities Congress
meetings,a short list of possible fleets for examination was determined.
At the PAC meeting #2 held in December, the group was asked to consider the
feasibility of bringing a biodiesel fleet expert to Rochester, and after discussion, the
group agreed that this was an appropriate avenue to pursue.
Task Approach
The short list of biodiesel experts was compiled based upon experience and length of
time using biodiesel, system-wide use of the fuel throughout the fleet, and most
specifically, a strong level of cold weather experience with the fuel. The team wished
to minimize any travel costs, which ruled out experts from Western fleets such as
Yellowstone National Park, and the City of Lakewood, Colorado. The best choices
were determined to be a biodiesel expert from the United States Department of
Agriculture’s Experimental Farm in Beltsville, Maryland, or a fleet manager from
Keene, New Hampshire. The Fleet Counselor team determined that the cold weather
experience from Keene, New Hampshire was more representative of the type of
weather experienced in Rochester, with more deep freezes, below zero temperatures,
and heavy snow conditions. This option was presented to the PAC via e-mail notice,
and the go-ahead was given to bring in the New Hampshire expert.
Overview of Findings
On February 8, 2007, Mr. Steven Russell, Fleet Services Superintendent, Public
Works Department, for the City of Keene, New Hampshire, was brought in to address
the PAC. Mr. Russell is a pioneer in the use of biodiesel in the Northeast, and has
used the fuel since 2001. His fleet, comprising 68 vehicles and pieces of equipment,
uses B20 (20% biodiesel/80% diesel) year-round. The fleet covers numerous city
agencies including the Highway Department, Parks and Recreation, and significantly,
Emergency Services (Fire and Police). It is utilized in the various work trucks,
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Final Report