UPS has started using renewable biodiesel at its major US air hub at Louisville InternationalAirport in Kentucky this month with the recent installation of a biodiesel fuel tank and fuelling
station at its Worldport facility.Biodiesel is an advanced biofuel made from readily available, renewable resources. It is adrop-in diesel fuel replacement that reduces greenhouse gas by 80%, without negatively impactingland use or the food supply.
The 30,000 gallon biodiesel tank and the station at Worldport fuel nearly 200 vehicles anddiesel equipment, most of which help load packages on and off the planes. The installation willallow fuelling operators to blend specified percentages of biodiesel “on the fly,” starting with 5%biodiesel (B5), and working up to 20% (B20).
Since biodiesel blends of up to 20% can be used in any diesel engine without modifications, itis one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to clean up heavy duty equipment, the NationalBiodiesel Board declared.
Scott Wicker, UPS Chief Sustainability officer, commented: “There is a finite amount ofpetroleum-based fuel available from our planet so it is important that UPS and other companiesinvest in ways to use alternative fuels and technologies, including biodiesel. This project helpsus reduce our dependence on fossil fuels with the added benefit that it will also reduce airpollution and carbon emissions.”
Meanwhile, CEO Scott Davis told the Financial Times in an interview that UPS would back afederal tax on carbon if the proceeds were dedicated to improving the US transport infrastructure.He highlighted the country’s air traffic control system as an area requiring investment.
FedEx CEO Fred Smith has already backed the idea of a carbon tax and supports a switch away fromoil-based fuels.
