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Drivers Can Reduce Pollution by Using Ethanol

A recent study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health concluded that there is a significant correlation between high concentrations of fine particulate matter emissions from cars and increased vulnerability of citizens contracting the COVID-19 virus.

People with pre-existing lung and heart diseases, children and the elderly are at a higher risk from complications resulting from exposure to particulate matter. Those living in urban areas with large numbers of vehicles and traffic congestion face higher exposure than people living in suburban neighborhoods, or more rural areas.

To learn about how ethanol fuel can help in the fight against Covid-19, please visit our website and read this story by CACC Chair John Walton and Angela Tin of our executive board.



Communities seeking to reduce carbon footprints may consider emerging fuel alternatives like electricity, compressed natural gas and hydrogen. While these fuels may be part of a future clean energy portfolio, biodiesel should be considered as a renewable fuel solution that can be utilized immediately, as it does not require that you change your infrastructure and is proven to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

A Great Option

Biodiesel displaces more than 20 million metric tons of CO ₂  nationwide annually, according to Mike Levin, Director of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Illinois Soybean Association (ISA). 

“Research shows that reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by about 80 percent compared to petroleum diesel,” Levin says. “In addition, biodiesel offers health benefits by reducing emissions of harmful particulate matter and carbon monoxide.” 

Municipal fleets can quickly and easily reduce GHG emissions by using B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent regular diesel. Even as fleets explore alternative vehicle technologies like electricity, they can use B20 in existing diesel vehicles for immediate carbon reduction results. B20 is commercially viable today, so there is no need to wait for new vehicles or technology.

With five biodiesel production facilities operating in Illinois, B20 is readily available to Chicago-area fleets. A major source of biodiesel feedstock is soybean oil produced from soybeans grown by Illinois farmers, so B20 is a truly local product.  

Success in Carol Stream

Last year, the Village of Carol Stream, Illinois, switched to cleaner-burning B20 for its fleet of 44 vehicles, partly because of its health and environmental advantages. 

To help transition to B20, village leaders relied on a team from the B20 Club , a partnership between the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program and American Lung Association. Biodiesel experts helped clean and prepare fuel tanks and incorporate B20 into Carol Stream’s new fueling infrastructure. 

“Through this transition to B20 we will prevent the release of almost 25 tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is the same as planting 374 trees,” says Sam Barghi, public works management analyst for the Village of Carol Stream, a Chicago suburb of 40,000 in DuPage County. “It is important to us to be good stewards of the environment.”

The village’s fleet of vehicles includes light- and heavy-duty trucks, backhoes, loaders and utility task vehicles (UTVs), all of which emit less CO ₂  into the atmosphere when fueled with B20. And the switch to B20 required no engine modifications. 

To learn more about the Illinois soybean checkoff’s work with other members of the B20 Club, visit  www.B20Club.org .



While it may seem unimaginable to see an upside to the Covid-19 Pandemic, one thing has become increasingly clear - our air.

Cleaner pandemic skies do show how much we can help mitigate pollution when we reduce burning fossil fuels. Less air traffic and fewer vehicles on the road has made a demonstrable impact not only in our air quality, but also, offered proof positive what’s possible in the future when conscientious, fleet managers choose wisely.

A recent National Geographic article ( April 8, 2020 - Gardiner) reported that the Chicago area, by way of satellite images, has garnered a 3 percent decrease in Nitrogen Dioxide by comparison to 2019 data, from March 1 to April 5. Chicago and other major corridor cities such as Los Angles, New York, Seattle, Dallas and Denver have reported like and even greater reductions. New York has seen a 22 percent reduction in particle emissions.

Trending New Normal : 

Cleaner Air, Lower Fuel Costs and Idle Fuel Management

While alternative-fuel solutions to lower fuel costs have been front and center in the minds of savvy fleet management, the addition of idle fuel management systems are proving to be part of what’s next in fleet management’s “new normal.” Especially when considering the overall, upfront investment costs required for infrastructure with both CNG and LPG.

One of these products is the GRIP Idle Management System. It is a full-engine control system that autonomously shuts down the vehicle’s engine, helping to reduce emissions and idle time. Its data reporting system relays specific and relevant vehicle information. Knowing why the vehicle is running gives management the power to make better decisions in both purchasing the right vehicle and right equipment for the job.

An additional AG Battery helps make this system a perfect solution for heavy-duty vehicles including; road construction, utilities, school and transit buses, yard and work trucks as well as law enforcement.

GRIP Idle Fuel Management Systems, in coordination with Heartland Fleet Solutions, has initiated a Fleet Energy Optimization Program for fleets seeking to impact fuel costs and emissions. Programs results can demonstrate significant reductions in fuel consumption, engine wear, service and labor costs when the GRIP System is employed.

For more info, contact Nolan Lynn Stafford at 317-672-4568.



Ozinga Builds New CNG Station in Michigan

Construction is currently underway for the first-ever compressed natural gas station in New Buffalo, Michigan, marking also the closest CNG station to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Ozinga Energy, a one-stop-shop for all alternative fuel needs, is responsible for designing and building this station in a partnership with the City of New Buffalo.

“We have worked side-by-side with the City of New Buffalo and Planning Commission to build this CNG station and beautify the property,” said Dave Westerveld, head of Business Development for Ozinga Energy.

This CNG station for New Buffalo is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Michigan to Montana (M2M) Alternative Fuels Corridor project, an initiative to support travel by alternative fueled vehicles from Port Huron, Michigan to Billings, Montana. Ozinga Energy is thrilled to be a part of this initiative with the new station in New Buffalo, contributing to long-term success for the U.S. Department of Energy’s project and commitment to use of alternative fuels.

The CNG station is equipped with state-of-the-art technology including a Bauer XFill compressor and a dedicated CNG Fast Fill station. There is also a three-bank cascade storage system mounted underneath, which will allow the compressor to have a very small and non-intrusive footprint. To accommodate other types of advanced vehicles, there is also a dedicated electric charging station on the property, which Ozinga Energy has implemented at other stations as well.

All of the gas that will be dispensed at this New Buffalo station will be renewable natural gas. Commonly referred to as dairy gas or biogas, this is the best form of renewable natural gas available today. RNG is produced by the decomposition of organic matter and most commonly derived from organic waste at dairy farms, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. By utilizing RNG at the station in New Buffalo, Ozinga Energy has an even greater commitment to carbon reduction, as it is considered to be a carbon negative alternative fuel.

Like other stations built by Ozinga Energy, this station is intentionally built to be scalable, and to increase services for any needs that may arise. There are plans already in place to expand the time-fill fueling station in the near future. With this station operational, New Buffalo will be crucial to the M2M Alternative Fuels Corridor Project, and a key component to the future of alternative fuel usage in this part of the United States.

Without you, our coalition would not be able to deliver on its mission of Clean Vehicles, Clean Fuels, Clean Air and Clean Cities! Please join CACC as a sponsor or member. To learn more, download our Member Guide . Memberships are available at this link. If you have questions, please contact Joe Koenig .