9/9/2005
JPEC to use Biodiesel.
Jackson Purchase Energy has made the decision to use all BioDiesel fuel in the company's diesel-fueled line trucks.
Being good stewards of the environment along with the rising cost of gasoline hastened JPEC's decision. The company had been looking at BioDiesel fuel as a test project over the last several months. After comparing gas mileage, the current price of regular diesel fuel versus BioDiesel fuel, and truck performance, JPEC decided to use BioDiesel. JPEC has over 30 line trucks and pick up trucks, 15 of which run on diesel fuel. In addition to the 15 diesel-fueled trucks, three trenchers and one backhoe also run on diesel and will be switched.
JPEC uses more than 60,000 gallons of fuel a year because of the vast geographical area the company covers. JPEC maintains over 3,000 miles of line in six western Kentucky counties stretching from the Mississippi River in the west to the east of the Cumberland River and south from the Ohio River at Paducah to the lakes area.
JPEC has seen gas prices rise more than 60ยข a gallon over the last year.
From an environmental standpoint, BioDiesel fuel burns cleaner than regular diesel and because it is made from soybeans, buying BioDiesel helps the agriculture industry.
The switch to BioDiesel will not likely save the company a measurable amount of money however; savings could be realized if regular gasoline prices continue to rise. Currently BioDiesel is one to three cents cheaper than regular diesel.
G. Kelly Nuckols, JPEC president and ceo said, "The environmental benefit of switching to BioDiesel made the decision an easy one.
It is the right thing to do - supporting the agricultural industry and helping to reduce emissions."
Jackson Purchase Energy is a regional electric distribution utility operating as a not-for-profit corporation. The cooperative serves more than 28,000 member-owners in six counties of western Kentucky.
