Clean Fuel For Bridges
 What is the Clean
Fuel for Bridges project?
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) has received funding from
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to encourage construction contractors
to purchase cleaner burning diesel fuel for OTIA III bridge projects. A 5¢ per
gallon fuel subsidy will be provided to contractors that purchase Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) or biodiesel (or a mix of both) for diesel equipment used
on bridge projects.
What is the goal of the project?
The project goal is to encourage the use of ULSD and/or biodiesel in non-road heavy construction equipment related to the bridge projects.
Why is this project important?
Diesel emissions from heavy construction equipment are a significant source of fine particulate matter (PM), nitrous oxides (NOx) and 40 or so other known or suspected carcinogenic substances. EPA estimates that 70% of the cancer risk from breathing outside air comes from diesel exhaust. EPA also estimates that, for every gallon of diesel fuel burned, the emissions create $9 in health care costs. Switching to ULSD or biodiesel blended with ULSD will save about $7 per gallon in health care costs.
How much does it cost?
ULSD is the new highway grade fuel that will be mandated for use starting in September 2006. The current average price difference between ULSD and highway grade diesel is about 2¢ to 7¢ per gallon. The price of biodiesel has been slightly higher. Both fuels can be ordered without road taxes for non-road use. The average bridge project uses 10,000-15,000 gallons of non-road diesel fuel. The net cost could be as low as 2¢ per gallon, or approximately $200-$300 per bridge. In addition, participation in this effort will continue to develop the demand for clean fuels, which will likely bring the price down even further.
Where can I buy it?
Throughout Oregon, both ULSD and biodiesel are becoming widely available. In Lane County, for example, two fuel distributors are providing clean fuels to over 38 fleet customers who have joined the Lane Clean Diesel Project. Your fuel provider can answer specific questions about availability and logistics.
How does this project benefit bridge construction contractors?
- In addition to the 5¢ per gallon subsidy, construction contractors can join
the Lane Clean Diesel Project and qualify to use the Clean Lane Fuel™ logo
to promote their efforts to improve community and employee health.
- Cleaner fuels use helps the Oregon Department of Transportation meet some Context
Sensitive and Sustainable Solutions (CS3) goals related to air quality, and
if using biodiesel, local economic development.
- Proposals for public works contracts that consider impacts on the community,
economy and the environment are often preferred.
- Cleaner fuels benefit the health of both contractor employees and the surrounding
community.
- Participating contractors will receive public recognition through a press release
submitted by the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency.
Who are the participants?
Staton Company
How do I sign up?
- Sign a simple
agreement with LRAPA
- Purchase ULSD or biodiesel fuels
- Fax the invoice to LRAPA
- Receive the rebate from LRAPA
To print or download a PDF version of the above information, click here.
Contact:
Sharon Banks
Lane Regional Air Protection Agency
sharon@lrapa.org
(541) 736-1056 Ext 215
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