News Article
North East England is leading the take up of environmentally friendly fuel as the latest garage forecourt selling biodiesel opened in County Durham.
The One Green Route project involves a network of specially branded forecourts promoting them as providers of ‘green’ fuels. They are generally made by blending 95% mineral fuel with 5% from renewable sources.
The project, introduced by the regional development agency, One North East and members of the North East Biofuels consortium, aims to raise sales of green fuels and, in doing so, help improve the environment and support those farmers growing the oilseed rape used in the manufacture of biodiesel.
Etherley Moor Garage in Bishop Auckland is owned by Graham Holmes who decided to go green after seeing the success of other One Green Route sites.
He says: “We’ve had a great reaction, the distinctive green logo’s been attracting a lot off attention and we’ve definitely been busier since making the switch to biodiesel.”
The Government recently announced plans that will require 5% of all UK fuel sold on forecourts to come from a renewable source by 2010.
Graham says they’re pleased to be doing their bit: “We’re just a small firm but people are keen to see somebody’s trying to make a difference and as long as the price is right they’re happy to use it.”
Caroline Cowen, Market Technology Engineer at Petroplus said: “I am very happy to be involved in this project. Petroplus is a longstanding member of North East Biofuels, part of our objective is to raise awareness about the importance of Biofuels. One Green route is helping to achieve this which is why I give up my time in order to project manage the development of the network.”
Derek Noble from Noble Fuels said: “We are pleased to supply our forecourt customers with Biofuels and we are encouraged that our farming customers have the opportunity to become major players in the renewables industry.”
In addition to the roll-out of the One Green Routes, North East Biofuels other major project is the development of a renewable fuels plant that will take oil seed from local farmers and supply both vegetable oil into a road transport supply chain and rape meal for heat or power generation.
For more information please contact: Stuart Boyd, press office, One North East on Tel: (0191) 2296428
e-mail : stuart.boyd@onenortheast.co.uk
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