By Associated Press
Tuscaloosa, AL – Tuscaloosa has become a ''Cool City.''
The designation became official when Mayor Walter Maddox announced the city's fleet of vehicles has been converted to use bio diesel fuels. Maddox said the alternative fuel will also be used in all back up generators for 14 sewer lift stations.
B-20, as its sometimes called, is a blend of 80 percent diesel fuel and 20 percent soybean oil. Bio diesel already powers buses operated by the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority.
Maddox said the fuel is being purchased from Moundville-based Cougar Oil Company and sells for about two-cents more per gallon, but burns significantly cleaner than regular diesel.
The ''Cool City'' designation comes from the Sierra Club of West Alabama. The environmental group assisted Tuscaloosa in making the switch to an alternative fuel source.
Governor Bob Riley announced in January that the state's fleet of vehicles was switching to ethanol-based fuels.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)