City’s launches 189 “bio-buses” into service

This week, the City switched another 189 of its public transit buses over to biodiesel fuel, bringing the total to 239 buses. Buses are being switched over to this environmentally friendly fuel as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to reduce dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels.

Biodiesel is made using a chemical process that involves mixing agricultural feedstock (i.e. canola, soybean, animal fats, recycled cooking oils) with an alcohol. The City uses a biodiesel blend of 5% soy and 95% petroleum diesel. This product reduces emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter, yielding significant environmental benefits.

The use of biodiesel also reduces atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂), when the complete fuel lifecycle (production, combustion, etc.) is considered. CO₂ is a greenhouse gas that is emitted when fossil fuels are burned, including in internal combustion engines. The scientific community recognizes that rising atmospheric concentrations of GHG is having a widespread and dramatic detrimental effect on the earth's climate.

“By the time we have implemented biodiesel across the City’s entire bus fleet, we will have reduced our net greenhouse gases by nearly 9,000 tonnes a year, which is like removing about 2,234 cars from city streets,” said Planning and Environment Committee Chair, Peter Hume. “This local action has a global impact. It improves the air we breathe here in Ottawa, as well as helps the planet.”

“We’ve been studying the use of biodiesel for two years and will continue to explore using even higher blend ratios,” said Deputy City Manager, Richard Hewitt. “We are very pleased with the performance so far and are pleased that by switching to biodiesel the City can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in Ottawa.”

The buses currently running on biodiesel fuel boast a special decal identifying them as a “bio-bus”. The full conversion of the City’s bus fleet to biodiesel is expected by September 2008.

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