Alternative Fuels: Brattleboro, VT
The town of Brattleboro, located in Windham County, Vermont, is in the southeastern part of the state and is bordered to the east by the Connecticut River. Its population of 12,005 is encompassed in thirty-two and a half square miles. As an ICLEI member since 2002, Brattleboro was given the opportunity to be a part of an initiative to reduce emissions from school buses. As Brattleboro had switched its town vehicle fleet to a twenty-percent biodiesel blend (B20) two years ago, it was only natural that they would like to switch their school bus fleet as well.
This case study is a great example of a successful shift to a biodiesel blend for fleet vehicles. Although this report is somewhat brief at four pages, it offers excellent insights into the obstacles and challenges met when trying to convince a contracted company to change their protocols.
Using biodiesel reduces harmful emissions and air pollution when compared to petroleum diesel fuel. It does not require any major modifications to use in diesel vehicles.
