Washington state agencies falling short of biodiesel mandates

In Washington state, a new report from the state’s Department of Enterprise Services shows the state’s agencies are falling down on their commitments to use biodiesel. Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2021 state agencies, including universities, purchased over 1.7 million gallons of biodiesel, representing 9.1% of the fuel purchased to power diesel vehicles, vessels and equipment, and fire boilers to heat and power facilities, down 0.4% from 2020, when the biodiesel use was 9.5%.

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is the largest state agency consumer of diesel, accounting for 82% of all diesel purchases. WSF purchased 1.4 million gallons of diodiesel during 2021, a 3% decrease from 2020. WSF averaged 9.1% biodiesel, down
from 9.8% in 2020.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was the state’s second-largest purchaser of diesel, accounting for 13% of all such purchases. WSDOT purchased 307,748 gallons of biodiesel during 2021, with an average blend level of 12.9% biodiesel. This is 0.67% higher than 2020. Other agencies, including all six state-operated universities, accounted for the remaining 5% of fuel purchases. Because universities are not required to buy fuel using a statewide
contract, their total diesel consumption may not be accurately reported.

The state departments of Corrections, Natural Resources, and Fish and Wildlife bought a combined 8,905 gallons of biodiesel, representing less than 1% of total fuel purchases. Agencies purchased a total of 2.2 million gallons of heating fuel and 20.6 million gallons of vehicle fuel.