WASHINGTON, D.C.-In an effort to jump-start use of alter native diesel fuel, the USDA recently encouraged fleet man agers in the national capitol area to use cleaner-burning biodiesel in their vehicles. Leading by example, the USDA told fleet managers that it reported its own use of biodiesel to obtain credits to ward alternative fuel vehicle purchase requirements, taking advantage of recent changes in the Energy Policy Act (EPAct). The USDA’s Agriculture Re search Service (ARS), located in Beltsville, Md., just outside Washington, D.C. has been using the alternative fuel in 68 of its vehicles since August, including a dump truck, bus, combine, sev eral tractors, and other vehicles. Based on its positive experience with biodiesel, ARS hosted a seminar in January with area fleet managers to review the environmental and economic benefits of biodiesel and to gen erate greater interest in the alternative fuel. Biodiesel is a nontoxic, clean burning fuel made from a vari ety of sources-primarily soy bean oil. It is biodegradable and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel reduces vir tually all regulated emissions Holds Internet Q&A WASHINGTON (AP) Ag riculture Secretary Dan Glick man used a question-and answer session on the Internet to press his case that Congress needs to make “fundamental changes” in the 1996 Freedom to Farm law. “My highest priority is to im prove the conditions for small and medium farms in this coun try,” Glickman replied Tuesday to a questioner from Ashland, Kan., who told Glickman that farmers “need help fast.” The hour-long Q&A, which was sponsored and moderated by McClatchy Newspapers, was a first for Glickman. McClatchy editors screened questions that were posted by the public to an Internet site and passed 11 of them to Glickman for him to Federal Government Urges Fleets To Use Biodiesel and has a pleasant odor (com monly compared to popcorn or french fries) when burned in diesel engines. “This marks the first time a government agency has orga nized such an event on its own accord,” said Joe Jobe, executive director of the National Bio diesel Board. “It’s a demonstra tion of the incredible interest we are finding in biodiesel from fleets around the country.” There were more than 70 participants present at the seminar. Federal officials emphasized the considerable economic bene fits of using biodiesel, in particu lar when used to obtain credit toward alternative fuel vehicle purchase requirements under EPAct. “Biodiesel is the least expensive fuel that will comply with EPAct,” said Pam Serino, a chemist with the Defense Ener gy Support Center (DESC), who also was present at the seminar. DESC, which operates under the Department of Defense, recently issued policy guidelines for biodiesel, urging agencies within the Department, including the armed forces, to use biodiesel to meet their EPAct requirements. A 1998 amendment to EPAct allows covered fleets to receive one credit for eveiy 450 gallons answer. The majority dealt with the farm economy and the struggles of family farms. On Monday, Glickman announced that Presi dent Clinton’s 2001 budget would include proposals to pro vide additional income assist ance to farmers during periods when commodity prices are low. Grain prices collapsed in 1998 and economists expect little im provement in 2000. The prob lems in the farm economy “must be addressed through fundamental changes in the farm bill, expanded access to foreign markets for our prod ucts, better crop insurance, and ensuring an adequate supply of fairly priced farm credit,” Glickman told the Kansas ques tioner. of biodiesel purchased and used at levels of 20 percent or higher in fleet vehicles over 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight. These credits can satisfy up to 50 percent of a fleet’s alternative fuel vehicle purchase require ments. Serino estimated the cost of biodiesel to be in the range of $1.50 to $2.50 per gallon, depending on quantity. The most common use of biodiesel is in a 20 percent biodiesel/80 percent conventional diesel blend, known as 820. The incremental increase in fuel costs for 820 is more than offset by the reduced expenditures in other areas because 820 is used in existing diesel engines with existing fuel ing infrastructure. 820 also delivers similar power, fuel econ IN 135-225 HP TRACTOR REALS I/#' ♦ Weighing in up to 20,000 lbs. for your big. ♦ Large implement capacity up to 16 000 lbs demanding jobs. at 24” behind ball ends. ♦ Advanced transmissions, including 18x6 ♦ Powerful “environment-friendly” engines powershift and 32-speed Dynashift™. ♦ Top-of-the-class cab and controls. Stop in today and experience the driving force. •Offers end March 31,2000 Financing terms subject to approval by AGCO Finance FERGUSON Massay Ferguson* is a worldwide brand ot AGCO Corporation Duluth QA M.M. WEAVER LEBANON VALLEY &SON IMPLEMENT CO. N. 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A ' If l’ll* D.W.OGG EQUIPMENT CO. 5149 Cap Stine Rd Frederick, MD 21701 (301)473-4250 wmSsiH6 FRANK RYMON ' 1 & SONS, INC. 399 Route 31 South Washington, NJ 07882 (908)689-1464 MILLER EQUIPMENT CO. Stauffer Road BechtelsvHle, PA 19505 (610)645-2911 the pleasant smell. One employ ee literally put his nose right up to the tailpipe of a diesel bus that was running on 820 and took a big whiff of exhaust. “He could not detect a trace of diesel smell from the tailpipe,” said ARS Deputy Area Director John Van de Vaarst, “He was amazed.” Biodiesel significantly re duces emissions that contribute to global warming and health risks. 820 reduces emissions of carbon dioxide by 16 percent, carbon monoxide by 20 percent, and particulate matter by 22 percent or more. For more information on the ARS program and biodiesel, con tact Gina DeLuca at (202) 737- 8400, National Biodiesel Board at (573) 635-3893, or www.bio diesel.org. NORTHEAST DIST. & EQUIP. 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