(NYCEDC) Renewable Diesel, a Petroleum-Free Alternative to Traditional Diesel Fuels Reduce Carbon Emissions by 60 Percent or More; NYC Ferry Launches Additional Measures To Reduce Engine Emissions and Kickstart of New Sustainability Strategy for the System — New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Louis A. Molina, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball today announced that the Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry will begin testing the use of renewable diesel fuel, a petroleum-free alternative to traditional diesel fuel. Renewable diesel reduces carbon emissions by 60 percent or more and its use in the ferries will help nearly 30 million annual riders navigate the city’s waterways in a more sustainable way. NYC Ferry will also launch a short-term plan to upgrade engines on its largest vessels to reduce emissions and other pollutants. Use of the fuel in select Staten Island Ferries and NYC Ferry vessels builds on the city’s recent announcement that 100 percent of the city’s 12,500 heavy-duty and off-road vehicles have completed the transition to renewable diesel, making New York City the first major East Coast city to implement this green technology at such a large scale.
“As New Yorkers, we understand the urgent need to combat climate change, and today’s announcement is another critical step forward in that fight. In utilizing renewable diesel for our ferry fleets, we are demonstrating our commitment to reducing harmful emissions and reaffirming our commitment to making every corner— and current—of our city healthier and more sustainable,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “Whether it's through innovative technologies or bold investments in green infrastructure, we are building a cleaner, greener New York City for all our residents—one that prioritizes our environment, enhances quality of life, and sets an example for cities around the world.”
“The Staten Island Ferry is the busiest municipal ferry service in the country, and we are thrilled to reduce its carbon footprint by using a petroleum-free alternative to traditional diesel fuel,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “The transportation sector is responsible for nearly 28 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in our city, but that means it can also be a key part of the solution. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels offers a key step towards a greener and healthier New York City.”
“Expanding renewable diesel to the Staten Island Ferry and piloting it with NYC Ferries marks a significant step in our efforts to make our fleet more environmentally friendly for the benefit of all New Yorkers,” said DCAS Commissioner Louis Molina. “This groundbreaking initiative not only cuts greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable resources, but also aligns with our larger vision for a greener municipal fleet. We’re proud to work alongside our sister agencies as we chart a new course for the city, and transition to cleaner sources of power.”
“New Yorkers love their ferries, and today we are making a big step forward in delivering a greener and more sustainable harbor,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “As we continue to break ridership records at NYC Ferry, it’s critical that we not only take immediate steps to reduce the emissions from our vessels but think strategically and holistically on how to create a more sustainable system across the board.”
Staten Island Ferry Renewable Diesel Transition
NYC DOT is now testing the use of renewable diesel on the Marchi Staten Island Ferry boat. The renewable fuel serves as a direct replacement to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel currently used in the ferry fleet. The agency plans to expand renewable diesel to the full Staten Island Ferry fleet in 2025. With an estimated 60 percent reduction in the Staten Island Ferry’s CO2 emissions; this move is critical to achieving a 50 percent reduction in these emissions by 2030.
The Staten Island Ferry is the busiest municipal ferry service in the country, with approximately 45,000 passengers on an average weekday, carrying nearly 24 million passengers each year. It operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan. Staten Island Ferry emissions represent 15 percent of municipal government transportation emissions and emissions from fuel use for ferry vessels represent 94 percent of the Staten Island Ferry system’s greenhouse gas emissions.
NYC Ferry Renewable Diesel Pilot & Immediate Vessel Upgrades
NYCEDC and NYC Ferry will launch a 6-month pilot program of renewable diesel fuels on select vessels. Following a successful pilot, the goal will be to transition the entire fleet to renewable diesel in 2025. Additionally, NYCEDC and NYC Ferry will begin the process of upgrading 13 350-passenger vessels, the system’s largest vessels, to meet the EPA’s most stringent Tier IV emission standards. These conversations will reduce pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) by up to 65 percent.
These immediate upgrades will be part of a broader sustainability strategy that will aim to transition the NYC Ferry fleet toward zero-and reduced-emissions vessels. As part of this strategy, NYCEDC will begin a study focusing on both the vessels themselves and changes to shoreside infrastructure necessary to support their operation and NYCEDC anticipates this study concluding in late 2025. The study will provide valuable insight into facilities and vessel operators throughout the harbor. It will also serve as a valuable tool to attract increased grant assistance.
The NYC Ferry system provides more than 7 million riders annually with safe, dependable, affordable, and accessible transit across the five boroughs. With six routes that touch every borough, 25 landings, and 38 vessels, the system spans 70 nautical miles and has the largest passenger-only fleet in the nation. NYC Ferry has further proven to be among New York City's most resilient transit network with the fastest ridership recovery of any city transit system since the pandemic.
Since the launch of 'NYC Ferry Forward,' NYCEDC and NYC Ferry has seen record ridership, while lowering the per passenger subsidy over 30 percent from its peak. In addition, the plan has successfully introduced and expanded the NYC Ferry Discount Program, increased financial transparency, and improving its service in cost-effective ways through the Rockaway Rocket, the Rockaway Reserve, and South Brooklyn Faster Connections.
In September 2023, the City of New York became the first city to begin transitioning to renewable diesel on the East Coast of the United States. Since the start of the transition in September 2023, renewable diesel has replaced more than 12 million gallons of fossil diesel, and already has been used to power the city’s fleet of garbage trucks, ambulances, work trucks, emergency generators, and more. Renewable diesel can reduce life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent or more compared to regular diesel, all while meeting the same operating specifications as regular diesel. Unlike biodiesel, which is limited to use in blends of 5 percent to 20 percent with regular diesel, renewable diesel can be used as a full replacement of fossil diesel while still delivering the same environmental benefits as biodiesel. The DCAS supply of renewable diesel has been sourced mostly (98%) from waste animal fats and used cooking oil. The transition will prevent 162 million pounds of global carbon dioxide emissions from entering the air every year, and it will serve as an important bridge fuel as viable electric versions of these vehicles are developed and placed into the market. DCAS expects to bid a contract for the renewable diesel in the upcoming weeks.
Today’s announcement builds on the city’s efforts to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. In April 2024, the administration won $77 million in federal grants to electrify 180 school buses and build a first-in-the-nation electric truck charging depot at the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. In May 2024, DCAS released its Clean Fleet Update, highlighting that the city had surpassed 5,000 plug-in electric vehicles and installed 2,000 electric charging ports. To date, over 70 percent of the city’s fleet—more than 21,000 fleet units—now use sustainable fuels, including electric, hybrid electric, solar, and biofuel vehicles. In December 2023, the New York City received $7.5 million in federal funding to electrify the Governors Island Ferry. In August 2024, the administration won a $15 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program to build the nation’s largest curbside electric vehicle charging program. Additionally, the city has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to make it easier for New Yorkers to use more sustainable modes of transportation. That includes expanding Fair Fares for half-priced subway fares and creating a similar program for the NYC Ferry, building record levels of bike lane mileage and a historic expansion of the city’s outer-borough greenway network, advancing generational transit-oriented housing development projects, and more.
“By utilizing proven resources like renewable diesel today, New York City is taking immediate action to reduce emissions,” said Donnell Rehagen, CEO of Clean Fuels Alliance America. “Transitioning 100 percent of the municipal fleet to renewable fuels was a remarkable achievement. Now, with renewable diesel powering the iconic Staten Island Ferries, New York City is charting a course to a cleaner future for all.”
“Reducing emissions from our transportation sector is essential to combating the climate crisis and reducing air pollution,” said Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. We applaud Mayor Adams, Commissioners Rodriguez and Molina and NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball for transitioning the Staten Island Ferries and the NYC Ferries to renewable diesel. Renewable diesel provides immediate environmental and health benefits, which is why we should be doing everything we can to encourage its use, including passing a clean fuel standard at the state level in 2025.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. READ MORE
More than 50,000 articles in our online library!
Use the categories and tags listed below to access the nearly 50,000 articles indexed on this website.
Advanced Biofuels USA Policy Statements and Handouts!
- For Kids: Carbon Cycle Puzzle Page
- Why Ethanol? Why E85?
- Just A Minute 3-5 Minute Educational Videos
- 30/30 Online Presentations
- “Disappearing” Carbon Tax for Non-Renewable Fuels
- What’s the Difference between Biodiesel and Renewable (Green) Diesel? 2020 revision
- How to De-Fossilize Your Fleet: Suggestions for Fleet Managers Working on Sustainability Programs
- New Engine Technologies Could Produce Similar Mileage for All Ethanol Fuel Mixtures
- Action Plan for a Sustainable Advanced Biofuel Economy
- The Interaction of the Clean Air Act, California’s CAA Waiver, Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards, Renewable Fuel Standards and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
- Latest Data on Fuel Mileage and GHG Benefits of E30
- What Can I Do?
Donate
DonateARCHIVES
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- June 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- October 2006
- April 2006
- January 2006
- April 2005
- December 2004
- November 2004
- December 1987
CATEGORIES
- About Us
- Advanced Biofuels Call to Action
- Aviation Fuel/Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- BioChemicals/Renewable Chemicals
- BioRefineries/Renewable Fuel Production
- Business News/Analysis
- Cooking Fuel
- Education
- 30/30 Online Presentations
- Competitions, Contests
- Earth Day 2021
- Earth Day 2022
- Earth Day 2023
- Earth Day 2024
- Executive Training
- Featured Study Programs
- Instagram TikTok Short Videos
- Internships
- Just a Minute
- K-12 Activities
- Mechanics training
- Online Courses
- Podcasts
- Scholarships/Fellowships
- Teacher Resources
- Technical Training
- Technician Training
- University/College Programs
- Events
- Coming Events
- Completed Events
- More Coming Events
- Requests for Speakers, Presentations, Posters
- Requests for Speakers, Presentations, Posters Completed
- Webinars/Online
- Webinars/Online Completed; often available on-demand
- Federal Agency/Executive Branch
- Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Agriculture (USDA)
- Commerce Department
- Commodity Futures Trading Commission
- Congressional Budget Office
- Defense (DOD)
- Air Force
- Army
- DARPA (Defense Advance Research Projects Agency)
- Defense Logistics Agency
- Marines
- Navy
- Education Department
- Energy (DOE)
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
- Federal Reserve System
- Federal Trade Commission
- Food and Drug Administration
- General Services Administration
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Homeland Security
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Interior Department
- International Trade Commission
- Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
- Justice (DOJ)
- Labor Department
- National Academy of Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- National Research Council
- National Science Foundation
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Overseas Private Investment Corporation
- Patent and Trademark Office
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- State Department
- Surface Transportation Board
- Transportation (DOT)
- Federal Aviation Administration
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin (PHMSA)
- Treasury Department
- U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
- White House
- Federal Legislation
- Federal Litigation
- Federal Regulation
- Feedstocks
- Agriculture/Food Processing Residues nonfield crop
- Alcohol/Ethanol/Isobutanol
- Algae/Other Aquatic Organisms/Seaweed
- Atmosphere
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Field/Orchard/Plantation Crops/Residues
- Forestry/Wood/Residues/Waste
- hydrogen
- Manure
- Methane/Biogas
- methanol/bio-/renewable methanol
- Not Agriculture
- RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin)
- Seawater
- Sugars
- water
- Funding/Financing/Investing
- grants
- Green Jobs
- Green Racing
- Health Concerns/Benefits
- Heating Oil/Fuel
- History of Advanced Biofuels
- Infrastructure
- Aggregation
- Biofuels Engine Design
- Biorefinery/Fuel Production Infrastructure
- Carbon Capture/Storage/Use
- certification
- Deliver Dispense
- Farming/Growing
- Precursors/Biointermediates
- Preprocessing
- Pretreatment
- Terminals Transport Pipelines
- International
- Abu Dhabi
- Afghanistan
- Africa
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antarctica
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Asia
- Asia Pacific
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Beliz
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Caribbean
- Central African Republic
- Central America
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Congo, Democratic Republic of
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Dubai
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eqypt
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- European Union (EU)
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Global South
- Greece
- Greenland
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jersey
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Korea
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Latin America
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Middle East
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar/Burma
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Guinea
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Africa
- North Korea
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Scotland
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South America
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Southeast Asia
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Uganda
- UK (United Kingdom)
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates UAE
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Wales
- Zambia
- Zanzibar
- Zimbabwe
- Marine/Boat Bio and Renewable Fuel/MGO/MDO/SMF
- Marketing/Market Forces and Sales
- Opinions
- Organizations
- Original Writing, Opinions Advanced Biofuels USA
- Policy
- Presentations
- Biofuels Digest Conferences
- DOE Conferences
- Bioeconomy 2017
- Bioenergy2015
- Biomass2008
- Biomass2009
- Biomass2010
- Biomass2011
- Biomass2012
- Biomass2013
- Biomass2014
- DOE Project Peer Review
- Other Conferences/Events
- R & D Focus
- Carbon Capture/Storage/Use
- Co-Products
- Feedstock
- Logistics
- Performance
- Process
- Vehicle/Engine/Motor/Aircraft/Boiler
- Yeast
- Railroad/Train/Locomotive Fuel
- Resources
- Books Web Sites etc
- Business
- Definition of Advanced Biofuels
- Find Stuff
- Government Resources
- Scientific Resources
- Technical Resources
- Tools/Decision-Making
- Rocket/Missile Fuel
- Sponsors
- States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawai'i
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Midwest
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Native American tribal nation lands
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington DC
- West Coast
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Sustainability
- Uncategorized
- What You Can Do
tags
© 2008-2023 Copyright Advanced BioFuels USA. All Rights reserved.
Comments are closed.