Caution must be taken where diesel vehicles are used, she added, as studies regarding particulate matter from diesel trucks have “found that even small exposure” could permanently damage the lungs of small children by stunting lung capacity. “When using diesel, you have to be aware if children” are in the immediate area, and “obviously, we need to protect kids who live” along major roadways.Vice Mayor Ray Luna asked if Finley had comparative costs of gasoline to diesel.“Our fleet of heavy trucks has always been diesel,” and all older vehicles have been retrofitted to meet future standards. “We actually are ahead of the curb,” considering the age of the fleet, noted Finley. “We try to limit any repairs in the field,” usually hydraulic leaks, and “will try to be considerate” in the use of the city’s diesel vehicles.The new era of diesel has been approved, noted Mayor Rick Cook before the Council approved the purchase.
Council: New refuse compactor causes discussion of diesel, alternate fuels
February 22, 2006
Santa Paula City Council
The purchase of a fully automated side loading refuse compactor kicked off a discussion about the city’s use of diesel vehicles at a January City Council meeting.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe purchase of a fully automated side loading refuse compactor kicked off a discussion about the city’s use of diesel vehicles at a January City Council meeting. The $166,962 truck for use by Public Works public prompted Councilwoman Mary Ann Krause to raise issues regarding diesel-using vehicles and alternate fuels.Public Works Director/City Engineer Cliff Finley said that LNG and CNG fuels had been considered, but upon further investigation were not found to be practical. “The first thing we did was ask other agencies, and found most are having difficulties” with maintenance issues. In addition, there are no fueling stations in the city offering alternate sources, and the technology is more expensive.The new truck meets all 2007 air quality requirements and has the ability to be converted to a bio-diesel vehicle when and if the technology is approved. Krause was pleased with the answer, noting that the state Air Resources Board has addressed a retrofitting requirement.In terms of a fueling station, “When I was at an event at the Toland Landfill,” representatives of the operating agency, the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, addressed creating a LNG filling station at the dump. Although such a station could provide refilling for refuse trucks from Santa Paula and Fillmore, “obviously it would not take care of the maintenance issues,” said Krause.
