ADM-1.12 - Biofuels Requirements for Petroleum-Based Fuels Sold in Portland and City-Owned Vehicles
Purpose
The Council finds:
1. Oil is a non-renewable fossil fuel that cannot fulfill the long-term energy needs of the world.
2. The United States is dependent on oil as a source of fuel.
3. The United States ’ dependency on oil serves to its disadvantage politically, environmentally, and economically.
4. It is the responsibility of government to recognize the shrinking supply of oil and proactively reduce citizens reliance on oil.
5. Biodiesel and ethanol are viable alternatives to diesel and gasoline as fuel for motor vehicles.
6. Biodiesel and ethanol can be produced from feedstock grown by farmers in Oregon which will improve the State and local economy.
7. Biodiesel and ethanol can be readily blended with petroleum diesel and gasoline.
8. At a 5% blend in diesel fuel, known as B5, biodiesel is considered an additive and is approved by engine manufacturers.
9. All diesel vehicles can run on B5 without modification.
10. A 5% blend of biodiesel in petroleum diesel improves the lubricity of the fuel, reducing engine wear and improving performance.
11. Ethanol is currently present in gasoline in Portland at a level of 10%, known as E10.
12. All gasoline vehicles can run on E10 without modification.
13. Mandating 5% biodiesel and 10% ethanol will create a dependable demand for each that will catalyze the creation of a dependable supply.
14. A dependable supply will increase the availability of higher blends of biodiesel and ethanol.
15. The addition of 5% biodiesel in all diesel fuel and 10% ethanol in all gasoline will reduce Portland ’s petroleum fuel consumption by millions of gallons annually.
16. The City should maximize its use of alternative fuels in city-owned vehicles.
17. Other cities around the State and the Country should take similar steps to reduce America ’s reliance on oil.
Policy
Now, therefore, the Council directs:
a. Portland City Code Chapter 16.60 is amended as shown in Exhibit A.
b. The Office of Sustainable Development shall notify all known fuel distributors and vendors of the requirements of Portland City Code Chapter 16.60 on or before November 1, 2006.
c. The Office of Sustainable Development and the Bureau of Development Services shall report to the City Council annually with recommendations for code amendments or revisions to advance the City’s transition to renewable fuels.
d. City owned vehicles that operate on diesel shall use fuel with a biodiesel content of not less than 20% to maximize the City’s use of renewable fuels. This is binding City policy and should be included in the Portland Policy Documents.
e. City-owned vehicles that operate on gasoline shall use fuel with an ethanol content of 10%. City-owned gasoline powered vehicles with the capability to operate on 85% ethanol shall be required to do so to maximize the City’s use of renewable fuels. This is binding City policy and should be included in the Portland Policy Documents.
f. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall convene a work group including but not limited to representatives from the Office of Sustainable Development and biodiesel feedstock growers, distributors, customers and vendors. The work group shall develop recommendations to align the requirements of this ordinance with the region’s ability to meet the mandated biofuel demand while maximizing the use of regional feedstock. The work group shall produce recommendations to the Commissioner of Public Safety within 90 days of passage of this ordinance, and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall present a report to Council on the findings within 120 days of passage of this ordinance.