PORT ANGELES — That Clallam Transit bus you’re stuck behind will start smelling sweeter come March.
That’s when the countywide system’s coaches will begin burning a 20 percent mix of biodiesel fuel.
Clallam Transit System commissioners Monday approved spending up to $40,000 a year more for the hybrid fuel made from vegetable oils, recycled cooking grease or animal fats — all renewable sources.
The added cost might be absorbed by Clallam Transit’s fuel budget for 2006. The system pessimistically has budgeted more than $818,000 for fuel next year — a 48 percent increase — anticipating diesel will cost $3 per gallon.
Biodiesel might save the system money, said Kevin Gallacci, maintenance manager.
Diesel fuel cost spiked last month at $2.53 per gallon — the same price as biodiesel.
Using biodiesel would mean Clallam Transit would burn about 40,000 fewer gallons of diesel fuel each year, Gallacci said.
‘Leading . . . not following’
Transit Commissioner Jack Pittis, a Port Angeles city councilman, pushed for the system to begin using biodiesel and spur the demand for the new fuel.
“We should be leading the pack, not following it,” he said.
Commissioner Mike Doherty, a county commissioner from Port Angeles, said burning biodiesel meshes with public policies opposed to supertanker traffic in Washington state waters and against drilling for oil off the coast.
Gallacci said tailpipe emissions would be healthier and better smelling than straight diesel.
“The diesel odor is not as strong,” he said.
“It’s a cleaner smell.”
