Sims: King County will quadruple biodiesel use

20 percent goal would increase annual biodiesel use to 2.5 million gallons

King County Executive Ron Sims today announced an ambitious goal of increasing the county's use of biodiesel from the current 5 percent mixture to a 20 percent mixture -- an increase that is intended to cut pollution, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and encourage growth in the domestic clean-fuel industry.

"We are acting because I expect King County to lead the way in the emerging biodiesel revolution," Sims said. "We are acting because global warming is a reality, and we cannot afford to wait any longer. And we are acting because it is simply the right thing to do."

Sims made the announcement Saturday at the Northwest Biodiesel Network Forum, which was expected to attract an estimated 1,000 people at Magnuson Park in Seattle.

Sims noted that King County's Fleet Division, which oversees the county's general service vehicles and equipment, has just begun using biodiesel in its on-site diesel fueling system. Additionally, King County's solid waste fleet and its wastewater biosolids trucks use biodiesel, as do many Metro buses.

"We are also working with our fuel providers to develop a network of refueling stations across King County, to make the transition to increased biodiesel use more convenient," Sims said, adding that achieving a goal of using a 20 percent mixture of biodiesel will not be easy, and will not be done overnight.

Some of the challenges include securing more biodiesel refueling sites and addressing potential warranty issues.

"None of these challenges are insurmountable, and none of them will keep us from achieving our goal," Sims said.

By stoking the fires of both demand and supply, we will remake our region into a clean energy economy. We will be ready for the future. And in doing so, we will make Washington an even greater state."