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Kitsap Unveils New Eco-Friendly Fuel Station

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090428-05
Release Date: 4/28/2009 2:17:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Crystal Engebretson Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. NW

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- Navy Region Northwest (CNRNW) and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest opened two new environmentally friendly fuel tanks at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor April 27.

One fuel tank holds ethanol (E85), and the second tank holds bio-diesel (B20). Both are available for use in government vehicles.

"Today we are switching our vehicles to a corn-based E85 type of fuel," said Capt. Mark Olson, NBK commanding officer. "From the swapout of the 136 E85 vehicles here, we can expect an immediate air quality improvement of 7.6 percent from gasoline vehicles here at (NBK) Bangor."

Along with the 136 E85 vehicles, there are about 27 vehicles at NBK Bangor which will use the B20 fuel, with numbers of both vehicles expected to rise in the upcoming future.

"Our impact on the environment is going to get significantly less as soon as we start using the biodiesel fuels," said Rear Adm. James Symonds, commander, Navy Region Northwest. "It is cheaper, cleaner
and reduces our dependency on foreign oil."

NBK is the first Navy station in the Northwest to introduce the new environmentally friendly fuel; however, it is not the last. The Navy Exchange will open its new E85 pump at Naval Station Everett Harborside fuel station in May; soon to follow this trend is Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, NBK Bremerton.

"We are currently leading the region by getting the infrastructure in place to start using alternative fuels," said NAVFAC NW Commanding Officer Capt. Robert Schlesinger, "and reduce our dependence on oil by using these vehicles that allow us to not burn petroleum products."

NAVFAC NW completed the planning and contracting for the fuel station with help from CNRNW, who provided the funding and the policy for the new fuel station.

"I think that with enough publicity for this fuel station it will have a positive impact on the outside community," said Randy Randklev, EJB transportation fleet support.

"This is a great thing not only for the military but for the environment overall."

The NBK Bangor alternative fuel facility is open to government vehicles only.