The City of Oakland and Neste, a Finnish oil refining company, have announced that waste feedstock from the city is now being converted to “Neste MY Renewable Diesel” to fuel the city’s fleet.
The City of Oakland, Neste, fuel distributor Western States Oil and local collectors of used cooking oil joined forces to gather waste cooking oils from restaurants and other businesses in the Oakland metropolitan area and convert it to fuel the city’s fleet. By making waste more valuable and supporting jobs that collect and treat it, this concept helps the local economy in the city while the cleaner-burning fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a low-carbon fuel produced from 100% renewable and sustainable raw materials, primarily wastes and residues. According to Neste, it cuts engine-out emissions of nitrogen oxides by 9%, those of carbon monoxide by 24 % and fine particulates by 33%, all while enhancing fleet performance.
Oakland is one of many US cities that has put forth effort to reduce emissions. In September 2018, the Port of Oakland reported that diesel particulate emissions from maritime operations were down 81% since 2005 even as cargo volume grew. Port officials credited the lower emissions to a series of developments that include requiring ships to plug into land-side power while at berth.
Environmental consultancy Ramboll outlined the improvement in a 100-page emissions inventory of 2017 port activity. The report showed that diesel emissions have plummeted since 2005 despite a 6% cargo volume increase, according to the port.
Reasons for the drop include a port program purging older, exhaust-heavy big rigs from the truck fleet that hauls containers as well as regulations that require container ships to use cleaner-burning low-sulfur fuel, switch off engines and plug into land-side power at the port.
The 4th Annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference takes place May 13 – 15, 2019 in Denver. Learn more here.