'Green' driving taking place at Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron personnel
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  As a part of Energy Awareness Month, the 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron would like to remind people of and review the Air Force's alternative fuel requirements. On Jan. 24, 2007, President Bush signed Executive Order #13423, which was immediately written into AFI 23-302, Vehicle Management. The EO and AFI call for a reduction in petroleum based fuel use and an increase in alternative fuel use by all Federal agencies. In fact, it mandates the use of alternative fuels 100 percent of the time in Alternative Fuel Vehicles, when appropriate. These alternative fuel mandates were established to improve the nation's air quality and reduce the dependence on foreign oil.
The two alternative fuels available here include biodiesel and Ethanol 85. Biodiesel is a mixture of low sulfur diesel and a renewable oil (soybean oil, vegetable oil, etc.). Biodiesel is available at the Military Service Station March through October. E85 is an alcohol fuel mixture that typically contains a mixture of up to 85 percent denatured fuel ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 is available at the MSS year-round. 

If you drive a government owned vehicle, you are required to use the appropriate alternative fuel at every possible opportunity. How do you know if the GOV you are using is capable of using biodiesel or E85? 

-- If the GOV runs on regular diesel fuel, biodiesel must be used during the applicable months. 

-- There are two primary means of identifying an E85 vehicle. 
* First, when you open the fill cap door, it states the type(s) of fuel you can use. 

* Second, when you receive the key to the GOV, it will have either one or two Vehicle Information Link keys (used at the MSS fuel pumps). A red VIL key is used for E85 and a black VIL key is used for unleaded fuel. The MSS is the only location in the area to fill up with biodiesel or E85. 

GOV users are required to meet the EO and AFI directed use of these alternative fuels which will help reduce the use of petroleum-based fuels. 

Questions regarding alternative fuels or their required usage should be directed to the fuels management personnel at 731-4324.