Safeway Inc. has converted its entire California and United States truck fleet to cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel.
The biodiesel initiative makes Safeway one of the first major retailers in the United States to convert its entire fleet of more than 1,000 trucks to cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel. The decision by Safeway will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75 million pounds annually, the equivalent of taking nearly 7,500 passenger vehicles off the road each year.
California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi joined Steve Burd, chairman, president, annd chief executive officer of Safeway, for an unveiling of the company's newest biodiesel fueled big rig at the company's Dublin CA store. The store is powered by solar energy, and the on-site Safeway fuel center is powered by wind energy.
Safeway is making the announcement in cities nationwide. In Colorado, Gov. Bill Ritter and U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar helped fuel the first biodiesel truck at a Safeway distribution center. In Washington DC, members of Congress and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency representatives joined Safeway officials for a similar announcement at a local Safeway store. Mayor Richard Daley joined executives from Safeway's Dominick's division for an event in Chicago IL. In Pasadena CA, Mayor Bill Bogaard and Vons officials unveiled a biodiesel-powered truck in front of city hall. In Portland OR, state legislators joined Safeway for its local launch.
