The City of Oakland, Calif., is the third Northern California municipality to announce its move to fuel diesel-powered fleet vehicles with renewable diesel. The city made the switch on Oct. 5.

In July, the City of San Francisco said it would move to fueling with renewable diesel by the end of the year, and in September, the City of Walnut Creek, Calif., announced the switch for its 60 diesel-powered vehicles.

"The switch to renewable diesel supports our efforts to make Oakland a more sustainable, innovative, and vibrant city," said Mayor Libby Schaaf. "The significant reduction in emissions provided by renewable diesel will create a healthier and safer environment for all of us."

Oakland’s fleet of 250 diesel-powered vehicles and equipment are now running on Nexgen renewable diesel, equating to more than 230,000 gallons of usage per year. This is a significant reduction in the use of petroleum diesel.

Renewable diesel has the same chemical properties as petroleum diesel and it also meets the petroleum diesel specification (ASTM D975), allowing fleets to switch with no additional investment or engine modifications, according to distributor Golden Gate Petroleum. Renewable diesel also burns cleaner, meaning less maintenance costs and reduced emissions.