HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-01; Renewable Diesel Use in City Fleet Operations; Gomez, PazTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
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Date '+-l1 (j!i" CM ✓-COO ✓
April 1, 2019
To:
From:
Via:
Re:
Council Memorandum
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Publi~rks
Elaine Lu key, Chief Operations Officer ·
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Renewable Diesel Use in City Fleet Operations
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Carlsbad
This memorandum provides information on use of renewable diesel in city fleet operations in
response to questions during City Council briefings on March 11, 2019.
Background
In the second quarter of 2016, the City of Carlsbad switched from traditional fossil fuel diesel to
a renewable diesel. The renewable diesel, called Propel Diesel HPR (High Performance
Renewable), is distributed to the city's fleet facility by Propel Fuels.
Discussion
The City of Carlsbad was the first city in San Diego County to switch its fleet of diesel-powered
vehicles to 100 percent renewable diesel in 2016. Attached is the press release from July 2016.
Propel Diesel HPR is an improved fuel designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions for
the city's diesel vehicles by up to 70 perc~nt. This reduction will assist the city in meeting its
Climate Action Plan goals.
The city's fleet currently has 68 diesel vehicles, which has used approximately 25,000 gallons of
renewable diesel fuel in 2016, over 45,000 gallons in 2017, over 42,000 gallons in 2018 and
12,000 gallons to date in 2019. Since switching to use of Propel Diesel HPR in 2016, the city has
received approximately 124,000 gallons ofthe renewable diesel product.
Next Steps
The city will continue to utilize the Propel Diesel HPR product in diesel engine-powered fleet
vehicles, and will continue to research other advancements in this industry to meet Climate
Action Plan goals. For more information on Propel Fuels, please refer to their website:
https://propelfuels.com
Attachment: City of Carlsbad Press Release, dated July 13, 2016
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Amanda Guy, Deputy City Attorney
Public Works Branch
Faraday Center 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-2730
Memo ID #2019026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2016
Carlsbad Switches to Clean Fuel
The City of Carlsbad has become one of the first cities in California to switch to a new, more
environmentally friendly fuel that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the city's diesel
vehicles by up to 70 percent.
The new fuel, called Propel Diesel HPR, costs the same as traditional diesel fuel and does not
require any retrofitting or modifications to the city's diesel fleet, which includes fire engines,
ambulances and construction equipment. The city uses about 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel a
year.
"We are always looking at new and innovative ways to do our business, and this is a great
example," said Steve Hodges, management analyst for the City of Carlsbad Public Works
Department, which oversees a fleet of approximately 350 vehicles, including 70 that run on
diesel. "This move creates an immediate improvement in local air quality, without increasing
the cost."
Renewable diesel outperforms petroleum in emissions, engine performance and value,
providing cleaner and more efficient combustion, as well as significant reduction in harmful
nitrogen oxide (NOx) and fine particulate (PM 2.5) emissions. NOx and particulates are directly
linked to air quality in California, negatively affecting public health, especially among children,
people with lung diseases and other sensitive populations.
Last fall the Carlsbad City Council approved a Climate Action Plan, which includes specific
actions the city will take to meet state-required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Hodges, using cleaner fuel is one of the strategies identified in the plan.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center, renewable diesel's
high combustion quality results in similar or better vehicle performance compared to
conventional diesel, while California Air Resources Board studies show that renewable diesel .
can reach up to 70 percent greenhouse gas reduction compared to petroleum diesel.
For more information
Steve Hodges, City of Carlsbad Management Analyst, Steve.Hodges@carlsbadca.gov or 760-
434-2925
City media contact
Kristina Ray, kristina.ray@carlsbadca.gov or 760-434-2957