Oakhurst Dairy, a family-owned, independent dairy company operating for 85 years, announced it will have transitioned 130 delivery trucks, or more than 90% of its fleet, to biodiesel fuel by the end of 2006. The switch makes the Oakhurst fleet the largest private biodiesel fleet in New England.
The company made the switch as part of its commitment to Maine’s Carbon Challenge, a first-in-the-nation voluntary carbon dioxide emissions reduction program initiated in 2004. Oakhurst was one of the first corporations in Maine to sign on, committing to cut direct emissions by 15% and indirect emissions by 5% below year 2000 levels.
Oakhurst also cited the 8 cent per gallon reduction in the excise tax for motor fuel that contains at least 2% biodiesel, a provision of Governor Baldacci’s energy bill last session, as a reason for the switch to biodiesel. “Maine is supporting sound environmental policies with good tax policies, and this is helping speed the transition to cleaner renewable fuels,” said Stan Bennett, CEO.
The B20 biodiesel that Oakhurst will use most of the year consists of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, which is a blend that has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with no modifications to a diesel engine.
Oakhurst’s goal is to increase the biodiesel ratio in their fuel beyond 20% in the future.
Maine was the first state in the nation to put forth a Governor’s Carbon Challenge, and was among the first to use biodiesel to heat state offices and buildings and to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Some of Oakhurst’s other environmental programs include:
* Recycling oil filters, anti-freeze and waste oil
* Installing equipment in refrigeration units to improve efficiency
* Purchasing retreaded tires, which often help produce better gas mileage
* Switching truck refrigeration systems to avoid ozone-depleting Freon gas; Oakhurst Dairy has been CFC-free for more than 10 years
* Employing re-routing software to improve efficiency, saving 44,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year, representing more than 200 tons of avoided CO2
* Installing idle regulators to reduce emissions
* Switching to hybrid cars for the company sales vehicles
About the Carbon Challenge:
In 2001, the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers signed an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2010 and to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, with the goal of an overall 75% to 80% decrease from 2003 levels. In 2003, Maine became the first state to enact these goals into statute. Part of Maine’s Climate Change law, 38 M.R.S.A., 575, directs the Department to develop agreements with businesses.
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