Alternative Fuels Coming To Western Az.

Soon residents of Western Arizona and travelers passing through will be able to buy renewable & alternative fuels. Two groups have teamed to help develop & provide the fuels, possibly by September.

“We can start right away by bringing biodiesel & E85 ethanol fuels to the region,” said Colleen Crowninshield, manager of the Tucson Clean Cities Coalition. She plans to do this by identifying potential gas station owners who are willing to obtain suppliers for the alternative fuels. The Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program encourages the use of alternative fuels & the vehicles that use them.

According to Crowninshield, over 110,000 flex-fuel vehicles in Arizona can use E85 ethanol fuels, & any diesel vehicle can use biodiesel. Ethanol is pure grain alcohol made by a distilling process from corn & other agricultural products, which is blended with 15% petroleum for an E85 motor fuel for flex-fuel vehicles. Biodiesel is made several ways – with soybeans or renewable grease from restaurants. Although the fuels are available in central & southern Arizona, Clean Cities does not have a local chapter in the western part of the state. The Lower Colorado River Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D) encompasses this area, & through the partnership will provide technical assistance & help obtain funding. Through its association with Conservation Districts & agricultural producers, the Council can coordinate with farmers to produce home-grown fuels.

“Promoting renewable energy directly relates to the RC&D’s objectives to develop, expand & support natural resource-based industries & promote agricultural diversification,” said Danny Markus, RC&D coordinator. The NRCS administers the program that was authorized by the Food & Agriculture Act of 1962. RC&D councils execute projects in land conservation, land management, community development & water management.

For more info about the Tucson Regional Clean Cities Program go to their website at www.pagnet.org/CleanCities/; & to learn more about the Lower Colorado River RC&D: www.azcoalition.org.