In another effort to make the world a cleaner safer place for our lungs, Volvo Powertrains will open up a new design and testing facility in Maryland.

EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, Maryland officials and company representatives toured the $150 million facility that will design, test and produce cleaner, high-tech engines for trucks and other heavy duty vehicles.

“For the past century, diesel engines have been America’s economic workhorse — reliable, fuel efficient and long lasting. Thanks to the innovations of Volvo and our industry partners, this economic workhorse is expanding into an environmental workhorse,” said EPA Administrator Johnson.

This new facility is also set to help the Maryland economy by creating 1800 jobs, while continuing to advance diesel design into even cleaner running engines.

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The Portland Water Bureau has been running on B20, 20% biodiesel, since August 2004.  However, as of September 26th they will be switching to B99, which is 99% biodiesel.

City Commissioner Randy Leonard, who heads the water bureau, said the bureau’s 84-vehicle diesel fleet will be the largest in the country running on B99.

“We’ve analyzed the fuels and talked to experts on fuels and truck performance. We’ve tested B99. We expect this change to be almost cost neutral,” said David Shaff, the bureau’s administrator. “We’re also analyzing performance. The bureau purchases about 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually.”

The Water Bureau vehicles converting to B99 include backhoes, dump trucks, graders, excavators, water service trucks, welding and crane trucks, pick up trucks, compressors, forklifts, tractors, mowers, generators, work vans, passenger vans and some passenger vehicles. Some older vehicles will remain on B20.

Hopefully more departments and cities will follow Portland Water Bureau.  While in the big picture 100,000 gallons annually isn’t alot to save.  If more cities will at least start using B20 the savings will add up.

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