BIODIESEL USE IN THENATIONAL PARKS

Kent BullardMaintenance Supervisor

805-658-5745

kent_bullard@nps.gov

Kurt BuehlerNFESC

Monterey, CASeptember 14,

2005

Federal Laboratory Consortium Far West and Mid-Continent Regional Conference

Or- Greening Park Facilities with Biodiesel

Biodiesel and biodiesel blends are significantly reducing many park operations use of nonrenewable fuel resources.

Biodiesel also has the potential to make some operations petroleum free.

Biodiesel is just one of the important tools incorporated into the sustainability programs at the operational level.

What is Biodiesel ?What is Biodiesel ?

Biodiesel (Methyl Esters) is a diesel replacement fuel made from virgin vegetable oils. It can also be made from recycled restaurant grease.

100% biodegradable

Biodiesel lowers toxic emissions and particulate matter

Biodiesel is safe to store, and has a high flash point

Over a century ago, Rudolph Diesel first used Biofuel to power his engines.

Why Use Biodiesel ?Why Use Biodiesel ? Reduced Emissions

Biodiesel’s main emission attributes are the

reduction of all criteria emissions with the exception of NOx.

The reduction if particulate matter can be up to 55% which is of particular importance to school bus fleets.

The NOx increase is often used to block biodiesel implementation, but with treatment this issue can be managed.

Why Use Biodiesel ?Why Use Biodiesel ? Lubricity

In blends as low as 1 percent, biodiesel can be used as a lubricity additive to bring low or ultra low sulfur diesel fuels into compliance with EMA recommendations.

Why Use Biodiesel ?Why Use Biodiesel ?

RENEWABLE!

It works in existing diesel engines with no modification.

Reduces emissions

It is an immediate solution.

It requires no new refueling infrastructure.

Biodiesel provides direct aid to US farmers and producers.

Less toxic in the marine environment.

It has a closed carbon cycle

Has positive life cycle returns

Buys time until cleaner technology is available.

Provides lubricity even is small blends with ULS Diesel.

Directly reduces our use of petroleum fuels.

Does not utilize sequestered hydrocarbons.

Why Use Biodiesel ?Why Use Biodiesel ?

The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992 and Executive Order 13149 mandate federal agencies to acquire Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). Since 1999, the federal fleets are required to obtain 75% of their light-duty annual acquisitions as AFVs in Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Vehicles acquired outside of the MSAs also count towards an agency’s percentage, but are not required. Section 301 of EPACT defines alternative fuels as: “methanol, denatured alcohol, mixtures containing up to 85% methanol or denatured ethanol, natural gas, propane (liquefied petroleum gas), biodiesel, hydrogen, and electricity.”

GSA B20 Policy Statement

Dear GSA Fleet Customer,

GSA Fleet has received several customer requests to use a 20% blend of Biodiesel (B20), in diesel vehicles leased fromus. We have studied the use of B20 at a pilot program site and analyzed the service and cost requirements of theprogram.

Based on our B20 experience, we are approving it in GSA Fleet vehicles, provided that the customer agency assumesany additional operational costs. Prior to using B20, the customer agency is required to sign a "Terms and Conditions ofB20 Use" application. Please remember that the application must be signed by the requesting customer installation. Asigned copy needs to be sent to your local Fleet Service Representative or Fleet Management Center and Central Office,attn: Scott Stockton, or Kathryn Miller, AFV Program Managers.

As always, we appreciate your business. GSA Fleet is working hard to provide you with quality service to help you meetyour requirements. If you have any questions regarding this issue, please contact Scott at (703) 308-1641, or Kathryn at(703) 305-5973, or myself at (703) 605-5630

Sincerely,

William WebsterDirector, GSA Fleet

Problems With Biodiesel

Engine Manufactures and WarrantyOperator AcceptanceFuel Hose and SystemsMaterial CompatibilityAvailabilityCostCold Flow

Channel Islands National Park

Consists of five islands and the surrounding mile of ocean, totaling 249,489 acres.

The Park is one of the least visited in the system with less than 100,000 visitors on the islands per year.

The isolation of the islands has protected them from development but now challenges park management in providing energy services.

Implementing a variety of sustainable practices.

Currently the Park has 76 renewable energy systems in use.

Providing 29 kW of Remote Power for

Water Pumping-Communications-Resource

Monitoring-Facility Power-Solar Thermal-

Green Energy Achievements @ Channel Islands National Park.

Annual Emission Savings = 333 Tons of Carbon Dioxide.

16,000 Pounds of Nitrous-Oxides.616 Pounds of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP)1372 Pounds of Hydrocarbons.800 Pounds of Sulfur Dioxides.2,300 Pounds of Carbon Monoxide.And don't forget the motor oil use and generation of hazardous waste.

Over 28,000 gallons of diesel fuel used for generation on the islands has been eliminated or precluded through the utilization of renewable energy systems.

Other Sustainable Programs

Alternative Fueled VehiclesGreen Building MaterialsWater ConservationRecycling @ WorkEnergy ConservationEnvironmental Management Systems

Marine Transportation.

Annually over 70,000 gallons of diesel fuel is used by the parks boat fleet.

Options were limited due to operational demands.

An article in a solar journal on the Sunrider hit the spot.

For over seven years I’ve had a biodiesel sample sitting on my desk.

Marine Biodiesel Program

In 1998 a funding request thorough the “Green Energy Parks” program identified a project to operate one of the parks research vessels on B100 along with fuel for Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands.

In August 2000 the park biodiesel program was implemented.

To date the park has used over 60,000 gallons of biodiesel.

“Sea Ranger II”

Launched in October 2001

Powered by twin Caterpillar 3406 engines specified for neat biodiesel.

Average biodiesel use @ 800-1,000 gallons per month. 58’ Fiberglass

More to Come

The next step was to convert the remaining park operations to either B20 or B100.

The park is currently finalizing plans to begin testing an additional 20,000 gallons of B100 from fuels produced in Ventura County.

The ultimate goal would be to make the park “Petroleum Free”

More Applications

Vehicle and Equipment Operations on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands- 5 generators, 23 vehicles (14 GSA) and 16 pieces of equipment.

The Ocean Ranger, 100’ Crew Boat, 3 GM 60 Series, 535 HP Mains, re-engined January 2003

The Surf Ranger, 74’ LCM-8 Landing Craft 4 GM 672s in 6 pack configuration.

BIODIESEL IN THE NATIONAL PARKS

Yellowstone National Park, The University of Idaho and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality first pioneered biodiesel with the “Truck in the Park Program”. The project placed an unaltered diesel pickup truck into service in Yellowstone National Park, fueled the truck with 100 percent rapeseed ethyl ester, and monitored performance and emissions.

The program started in 1995 and has since demonstrated biodiesel use in all weather conditions while covering over 160,000 miles of operation.

BIODIESEL IN THE NATIONAL PARKS

In 1988 a partnership between the US Department of Energy and the National Park Service was created.

This “Green Energy Program” has promoted the application of a variety of sustainable energy programs in National Park Areas.

Fourteen National Park areas piloted biodiesel utilization through this program and several other parks began biodiesel utilization on their own.

BIODIESEL IN THE NATIONAL PARKS

Assateague Island National Seashore Channel Islands National Park Everglades National Park George Washington Memorial

Parkway Glacier National Park Grand Teton National Park Harpers Ferry National Historic Park Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Mammoth Cave National Park Manassas National Battlefield Park

Mount Rainier National Park National Capitol Parks East Pictured Rocks National Seashore Redwoods National Park Rock Creek Park Scotts Bluff National Monument Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore Voyageurs National Park Yellowstone National Park Yosemite National Park

At the present time over 675 pieces of equipment and vehicles are being

operated at the 20 parks listed above- The spread sheet is quite informative. http://www.nps.gov/renew/NPSBiodiesel.xls

Having Management Support for Sustainability is Critical for Success.

Lynn Scarlet- Assistant Secretary of the Interior

Gail Norton- Secretary of the InteriorJim Evanoff- Yellowstone National Park

…while seeking and securing funding which makes partnerships invaluable...

Local partnerships benefit your community.State Energy Offices are great resources.Use programs such as the “Green Energy

Parks Program” to the full extent possible.Grant opportunities exist in many venues.Be innovative in expanding your horizons.Combine management objectives of

environmental leadership, education and resource stewardship for program success.

FLC Biodiesel Initiative

Phase I Survey

Survey Web Site:

www.flcfw.org/bio