Randy's Biodiesel Initiatives
For the unfamiliar, biodiesel is a fuel that can be made from crops such as canola and soy and can fuel any diesel vehicle with no mechanical alterations if the vehicle was built after 1994, or with minor alterations if it was built before 1994. It performs precisely the way petroleum diesel does in your engine, and reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 70%. Plus, it can be grown and refined right here in Oregon, offering excellent opportunities for our farmers around the state to benefit from our fuel demands.

In addition to Randy's work to create Portland's Renewable Fuels Standard, Randy has been working hard to expand the use and demand for biodiesel in Portland and throughout the state. Here are some of Randy's other biodiesel-related initiatives:

The City's Fleet Switches to Biodiesel
As the Commissioner in Charge of the Portland Water Bureau, Randy began by requiring the Water Bureau to begin operating its diesel fleet on 100%biodiesel in late 2005. Then in 2006, armed with the success of the Water Bureau fleet transition, he passed an ordinance that required the entire city to convert to biodiesel. Today, every diesel vehicle in the city's fleet operates on B50, or 50% biodiesel and 50% petroleum diesel.

The City Contracts with Eastern Oregon Farmers for Canola Biodiesel
Randy's effort to convert the City's fleet to biodiesel increased the City's demand for biodiesel to nearly 500,000 gallons! As a result, Randy made several visits to Eastern Oregon to meet with farmers to generate interest in providing the canola for the biodiesel that would be used by the City's fleet. In August, Randy finalized the City's contract with Eastern Oregon farmers, who are planting thousands of acres of canola to fuel the City's fleet, and allowing Portland's fuel costs to be spent in Oregon, to the benefit of Oregon farmers, rather than to foreign oil interests.




Authorized and paid for by Friends of Randy Leonard, Julie Ann Leonard, Treasurer
8338 SE Buford Lane • Portland, Oregon 97236
Phone and FAX (503) 762-3185
Email: Commleonard@aol.com