Tacoma terminal switches to biodiesel

Tacoma terminal switches to biodiesel    Husky Terminal & Stevedoring, a major Port of Tacoma terminal operator, recently began using biodiesel fuel for all diesel-operated vehicles and container handling equipment, the port said Thursday.
   Prior to making its voluntary switch to biodiesel, Husky used about 11,200 gallons of low-sulfur diesel fuel per month. According to officials, Husky will begin using a 20 percent blend of biodiesel with low-sulfur diesel and plans to increase that blend to 40 percent biodiesel by this summer.
   The benefits of moving to biodiesel are apparent, said Steve Bassett, Husky assistant vice president. According to a recent study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the reduction of diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions can make a positive impact on public health.
   “While the cargo activity at our terminal brings great economic benefits to this region, we also want to reduce the negative impacts of our activity as much as possible,” said Bassett, whose terminal has served Japan-based “K” Line in Tacoma since 1988. “One of the ways we found we could achieve this was making the voluntary switch to biodiesel.”