EPA SmartWay® Focuses on Biodiesel with New “Grow & Go” Program
Biodiesel Featured to Help Truckers and Shippers Reduce Carbon Footprints, Lessen Dependence on Foreign Oil

Independent trucker Ken England, Chrome Shop Mafia's Bryan Martin, Ryan Donovan of States Logistics Trucking, Greg Langford of Langford trucking and Marc Laferriere of Michelin Americas Truck Tire talk with Eric Harley of Midnight Trucking Network about the EPA SmartWay partnership during GATS 2007.

Businesses who want to ship “green” can now find truckers who use biodiesel through the EPA SmartWay Grow and Go program.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) have teamed up to educate the trucking industry about the benefits of biodiesel, and match shippers with truckers using biodiesel. 

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is an innovative collaboration between the EPA and the freight industry.  Its goal is to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.  EPA SmartWay Grow & Go will also help reduce U.S. dependence on petroleum.
 
“The NBB and EPA SmartWay have a long working relationship with the goal of helping the trucking industry adopt renewable fuels to help reduce fuel usage and emissions from burning fuel,” said Mitch Greenberg, Program Manager, U.S. EPA SmartWay.  “Grow & Go was developed to help increase the use and acceptance of biodiesel in the freight industry, and to educate truckers and small fleets on the benefits of biofuels.  It became clear there was a need to help shippers identify carriers using renewable fuels.”

Owner Operator, Michael Frybarger told the crowd of 200+ about the benefits of biodiesel for truckers.

“I joined EPA SmartWay because of the Grow & Go initiative, and I’ve found it is a great resource for helping me save fuel and reduce emissions,” said Michael Frybarger, Owner Operator, Eastern Eagle Express, Inc.  “I’ve been a biodiesel user for several years. I’m glad to see the EPA SmartWay program embracing biodiesel as a homegrown, renewable fuel that also reduces our dependence on foreign oil.”

On Aug. 24 at the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas, EPA and NBB co-sponsored the SmartWay “Get Green” Trucking Summit.  The event highlighted the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership, with a special focus on SmartWay Grow & Go.

“I’ve been using biodiesel in over 100 trucks,” said Ryan Donovan, Vice President - Operations & Business Development, States Logistics Services.  “Our customers, including Clif Bar, have asked for biodiesel in order to reduce their carbon footprint, and we are delivering.”

Members of EPA SmartWay Grow & Go include owner-operators, trucking fleets, suppliers, brokers and anyone who is interested in less fuel use, emissions reduction and sustainable trucking practices. 

“As a freight broker, my business is dependant on having solid relationships with carriers,” said Win Rinkle, principal owner, TruckloadBroker.com, LLC.  “Attracting carriers that use biodiesel and that are part of the EPA SmartWay program is one way of qualifying and finding the best carriers. The way I see it...if a company or owner-operator is spending the time and money to conserve fuel, or use biodiesel, they are a smart business owner and transportation company.  I will gladly pay more to work with smart business owners.”

“Safe Handling has long believed in sustainable transportation and in addition to using highly efficient tri-axle trucks, we run our entire fleet on biodiesel,” said Andy Meyer, VP Business Development - Green Initiatives Safe Handling, Inc.  “Partnering with the EPA SmartWay Grow & Go program is a great way for us to learn fuel saving techniques that help reduce emissions as well.  Our customers are keenly interested in working with sustainable suppliers and our partnership with EPA SmartWay Grow & Go is one more reason for them to use us for their transportation needs.”

“EPA SmartWay has done wonderful things for the trucking industry by providing tangible ways for truckers and fleets to reduce their fuel usage and lower costs,” said Tom Verry, Director of Outreach and Development, NBB.  “Now, Grow & Go will help truckers and shippers use biodiesel as a renewable fuel.” 

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel for diesel engines that is made from domestic vegetable oils and animal fats.   It can be used in any diesel engine at a B20 blend or lower, with few or no modifications.  It significantly cuts harmful environmental emissions. Today, more than 700 major fleets use biodiesel commercially, and more than 1,100 retail filling stations, half of which are truck accessible, make B100 and various blends available to the public.