Green Guardian
Cooking up a transport first
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| Mr Chips: Councillor Martin Elengorn enjoys some fries |
A groundbreaking new recipe for sustainability has come to the borough - a fleet of 200 vehicles are set to take to the roads - powered by recycled cooking oil.
Richmond Council revealed it will operate its vehicles using biodiesel from 100 per cent recycled oil, becoming the first borough in the country to do so.
It is estimated that this type of fuel would save 300 tonnes of CO2 from being pumped into the atmosphere each year.
The initiative is set to start in the summer, after a trial scheme late last year.
Councillor David Trigg, Richmond Council cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking, hailed it as a hugely exciting initiative.
He said it followed another national first, a scheme linking controlled parking zone permits to CO2 emissions, with residents paying more to park vehicles with high carbon emissions outside their homes and less for lower emitting vehicles, which came into force a year ago.
| “We are determined to be innovative in achieving our goals and the cooking oil scheme is further evidence of our commitment and resolve." | | Councillor David Trigg |
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"We are determined to be innovative in achieving our goals and the cooking oil scheme is further evidence of our commitment and resolve," said Coun Trigg.
"We hope that, like the parking initiative, it will have a domino effect and lead to other fleet operators following our example."
Coun Trigg said the scheme hit an initial snag due to the costs of using the fuel and the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, turning down a request for a reduction in fuel duty but the recent increase in oil prices has helped make it economically viable.
"We anticipate its use may be slightly cheaper than conventional fuel," he added.
11:07am Thursday 20th March 2008
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