RATTLEBORO, VT – The town of Brattleboro in Vermont is set to switch over to a biodiesel fuel for municipal vehicles, a move that officials say could improve air quality and reduce dependence on foreign oil, according to the Reformer newspaper. The Selectboard unanimously approved the change. The town will be using B-20, a blend of 80 percent conventional diesel fuel and 20 percent biodiesel, derived from vegetable oil.

It is estimated that using biodiesel would cost an additional $2,000 per year, if the town continues to use it. The town buys diesel fuel for about 35 municipal vehicles in 8,500 gallon deliveries. The Selectboard has approved an initial delivery that would probably happen in August or September, the report said. The city will monitor how the vehicles perform and make a further assessment.

Brattleboro officials consulted with City of Keene Fleet Superintendent Stephen Russell as they weighed the switch. Russell said the fuel is cleaner burning and hasn’t caused any adverse effects on the 68 vehicles that use it, the Reformer reported.