This summer, Metro Transit buses will begin using a 5 percent biodiesel mix in its fuel and undertake a comprehensive test of an 8 percent biodiesel blend for potential future use, Lt. Governor Carol Molnau and Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell announced at a State Capitol event this afternoon.

"Minnesota leads the nation when it comes to promoting and encouraging use of smart, clean renewable fuel," Lt. Governor Molnau said.  "Using renewable fuel strengthens our rural economy, improves our air quality and reduces our unhealthy dependence on foreign oil.  Today's announcement is another example of state government leading by example when it comes to using renewable fuel."

Metro Transit plans to begin using the 5 percent biodiesel mix in its fuel this July and will begin testing an 8 percent biodiesel blend shortly thereafter.  State law requires a 2 percent biodiesel blend in all diesel fuel sold in the state. 

In addition to using renewable fuel, Metro Transit operates three diesel hybrid electric buses, which have about half the tailpipe emissions and 20 percent better fuel mileage than standard transit coaches. This year Metro Transit plans to order 20 more hybrid electric buses for delivery as early as 2008.

In July 2004 - two years ahead of a federal mandate - Metro Transit was the first in the state to use ultra-low sulfur (ULSF) diesel fuel and served as the catalyst to introduce this cleanest diesel fuel to Minnesota by using it in half its fleet of buses. ULSF reduces particulate emissions by about 10 percent and, in 2005, Metro Transit expanded the use of ULSF fuel fleetwide, including a 2 percent biodiesel mix.  At the same time, Metro Transit added Metro Mobility fleet operators to its fuel contract to leverage additional buying power.

"Environmental protection and preservation are key elements of government planning and operations," Met Council Chair Peter Bell said. "The natural features and air quality we enjoy in this region are valued assets that contribute significantly to livability and quality of life in the metro area. I'm very proud of the Pawlenty administration's environmental accomplishments."

Lt. Governor Molnau and Chair Bell were joined at the announcement by Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Sheryl Corrigan, Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and Commerce Commissioner Glenn Wilson.

PCA Commissioner Corrigan highlighted the work done through "Project Green Fleet," a partnership among businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations to reduce pollution emitted from Minnesota school buses and to protect children's health.  Project Green Fleet helps school districts and other school bus operators reduce diesel emissions by installing pollution-control equipment on Minnesota school buses to make them cleaner and safer for our children and our communities. By installing diesel retrofit equipment on school buses, Project Greenfleet can reduce certain outdoor air pollutants generated from the bus by 40 to 90 percent and dramatically reduce the level of pollution inside the bus. Project Green Fleet will retrofit at least 100 school buses by June of next year, resulting in cleaner air and healthier children.

State officials also pointed to Minnesota's strong overall environmental record.  Minnesota, for example, has more than 3,000 wolves (Wisconsin and Michigan each have 450), which is more than triple the number set by scientists 30 years ago as a benchmark to judge wolf recovery in the Great Lakes region.  The wolves are no longer considered threatened and have been de-listed from the endangered species list by the courts and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The same can be said for Minnesota's population of bald eagles, which has seen a dramatic increase in recent years.  In 2005, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) identified 872 eagles' nests with adults, representing a 28% increase over the 2000 survey which identified 681 eagles' nests. The DNR estimates there are approximately 1300 eagles' nests in Minnesota which ranks as one of the top five states in the nation for bald eagles. 

Minnesota is the nation's leader in the use of renewable fuels with highest renewable fuel use per capita in the nation.  The state was the first to implement an ethanol standard.  Since 1997, Minnesota law has required all gasoline sold within the state to include 10% ethanol (E-10).  Last year, Governor Pawlenty proposed and signed into law legislation that will move the state to a 20% ethanol standard by 2013. 

Minnesota has North America's largest network of E-85 gas stations with more than 200 stations now online.  Roughly 120,000 Minnesotans now drive flexible fuel cars designed to burn either gasoline or E-85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. 

In September 2004, Governor Pawlenty signed an executive order to have state government reduce its on-road fleet's use of gasoline 25% by 2010, and 50% by 2015; and petroleum-based diesel fuel 10% by 2010 and 25% by 2015.  The action will reduce overall gas consumption by 950,000 gallons.

These reductions in the use of petroleum-based fuels would be achieved through a combination of increased use of agricultural fuels, increased fuel efficiency of the state fleet by purchase of hybrid and more fuel efficient vehicles, and increased use of electronic government activities.  By implementing these measures, the state will increase the amount of E-85 gasoline used from 68,000 gallons to 1.7 million gallons, an increase of 2500%.