EVERETT, WA - Snohomish County is providing increased opportunities to use renewable energy sources in its fleet vehicles. Under an agreement with General Biodiesel and PetroCard, Snohomish County's Fleet Management Division will have access to a higher blend of locally sourced and refined biodiesel at local PetroCard fuel stations, according to a release from the County.

The biodiesel will come from General Biodiesel, which produces low-carbon biodiesel that has been refined exclusively from renewable and recycled cooking oil from the region's food-service businesses. These include nearly 150 local restaurants, hospitals, shopping centers, stadiums, corporate campuses, hotels, etc.

Unique to this agreement is the use of canola that was farmed and pressed in Snohomish County. In addition to providing Snohomish County and PetroCard biodiesel derived from renewable and recycled feedstocks, General Biodiesel has used more than 650 gallons of canola oil from local farms for fuel production.

"Snohomish County continues to increase its use of renewable and recycled fuel sources," said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. "This continued partnership allows us to improve our local environment and economy by utilizing the canola produced locally as well as local waste sources that can be processed into fuel."

Snohomish County's fleet manager Allen Mitchell was recently named a Sustainability All-Star. "With this announcement, Snohomish County continues to demonstrate progress toward achieving its goal of running 100-percent of its fleet on biofuels and electricity. Further, we are seeking to find sustainable supplies of these fuels to supplant petroleum fuels," Mitchell stated.

Adjusting its blends for optimal performance based on seasonal variations, the County reduces the annual carbon emissions of its daily operations by using up to a 40-percent blend of biodiesel in its diesel vehicles, according to the release.