Sacramento County announces its pilot program to migrate County fleet vehicles to the use of Neste Renewable Diesel, the first local government fleet in the region. In moving to renewable diesel, the County of Sacramento joins California's cleanest and greenest fleets that include the City of San Francisco, City of Oakland, City of Walnut Creek, City of Carlsbad, Google, and UPS.
By switching to renewable diesel, made from waste and residue fat fractions coming from food, fish and slaughterhouse industries, as well as from non-food grade vegetable oil fractions, the County of Sacramento aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its fleet by up to 80 percent, or approximately 8,000 tons annually. In addition, the use of renewable diesel will reduce tailpipe emissions and will contribute to improve the local air quality in Sacramento. The renewable diesel will be used in a range of heavy-duty vehicles including more than 400 municipal public works and specialty vehicles such as garbage trucks.
The contract comes through a corporative agreement with Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). Through the regional fuel corporative, SACOG enables regional agencies to have competitive access to fuel source. At the request of Sacramento County, SACOG created an addendum to their contract specifically for renewable diesel at a good price point .
"Sacramento County continues to be a leader in our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions," said District 1 County Supervisor and SACOG Vice Chair Phil Serna. "Working with SACOG, we will take the next step in that regard and fuel our fleets responsibly, and with minimal burden on taxpayers."
"The County fleet has a substantial impact on our region through programs, services and employment," said District 3 Supervisor and SACOG board member Susan Peters. "With the switch to renewable diesel our impact will remain strong in the region, but lessen on the environment."
"We are proud that the regional fuel cooperative with SACOG allows Sacramento County to reduce greenhouse emissions so dramatically with the use of renewable diesel," said District 2 Supervisor and SACOG board member Patrick Kennedy. "Our goal is to continue to make an impact on our region's environmental health through partnerships with our community."
"Sacramento County has one of the most sustainable public fleets in the country. The move to renewable diesel provides us large and immediate gains in carbon emissions reduction in a fiscally responsible way," said Keith Leech, Chief, Fleet Division & Parking, Sacramento County.
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