U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to increase its use of ethanol and biodiesel fuels in all fleet vehicles. Doing so shows the USDA’s support for improving air quality, the rural economy and the Nation’s energy independence.
“The energy challenges our nation faces today offer tremendous opportunities for agriculture” through the production of domestic fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, said Ann Veneman, secretary of agriculture. “Renewable energy is good for independence, good for farmers and good for the environment.”
In areas where the renewable fuels are readily available and competitively priced, USDA’s plan includes the following:
- All USDA diesel fuel storage tanks will be filled with blends of 20 percent or higher of biodiesel fuel.
- All USDA-mounted gasoline fueling facilities will buy and use ethanol-blended fuels.
- The USDA’s more than 700 E-85 flex-fuel vehicles will use ethanol fuels.
- USDA will purchase or lease alternative fuel vehicles for use in geographic regions where alternative fuels are available.
ARS News Service