Approved Oil Supplying Renewable Fuel to NYC

New York City awarded Approved Oil Co., Brooklyn, N.Y., a  contract to supply renewable diesel to the fleets of various New York City agencies, including Sanitation, Police, Fire, Environmental Protection, Transportation, Parks and Recreation, and Correction.

“By powering these essential agency fleets with renewable diesel, Approved Oil Company is playing a pivotal role in driving down carbon emissions and contributing to the realization of New York City’s ambitious green initiatives,” Approved Oil said in a statement. The renewable diesel is derived from renewable sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and used cooking oil. It is molecularly the same as petroleum-based diesel and it meets ASTM International’s standard for Diesel Fuel Oils (D-975), Approved said. The fuel provides a seamless transition for existing diesel engines operated by the city, emitting fewer pollutants and greenhouse gasses than conventional diesel, the company said.

“This momentous partnership with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility,” said Vincent Theurer, Approved Oil’s president and CEO. “We are extremely proud to lead the charge in providing cleaner fuel alternatives that align with the city’s green objectives. This collaboration underscores our dedication to a greener, healthier future for all New Yorkers.”

Chris Fazio, Approved Oil’s executive vice president, said the contract is for a two-year term, with a renewal option. A domestic refiner provides the fuel to Approved, Fazio said.

“The great story about this is we’re a Brooklyn-born company. We’re homegrown. We have over two hundred employees,” said Dan Falcone, regional sales manager for Approved. “It is great news,” Falcone said. He said that he has traveled the East Coast, speaking at Clean City events in Philadelphia and Washington, “to get people to understand the value of this product.”

Falcone noted that Soundview Energy and Nicholas Fazano Jr., were critical to Approved Oil’s successful efforts.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock outlined a plan Nov. 29 to make New York City the first city on the East Coast to transition all heavy-duty vehicles in the city’s fleet from fossil to renewable fuel. The city’s fleet currently includes more than 12,600 on- and off-road trucks and specialized equipment that operate on diesel fuel — but by the end of Fiscal Year 2024, they will all operate on renewable diesel. Here is an excerpt from a statement issued by the city:

Renewable diesel is proven to reduce carbon emissions and will replace up to 16 million gallons of fossil fuel used every year to power the city’s heavy-duty fleet, which includes garbage trucks and ambulances. After the full rollout of 16 million gallons of renewable diesel, the city will have cut 128 billion grams of carbon dioxide pollution each year. The transition began this past September, with 2.5 million gallons of renewable diesel already used across heavy-duty vehicles.

“New York City continues to lead the way for the rest of the country by making our vehicles cleaner, greener, and safer,” said Mayor Adams. “From our vehicles to our buildings and our food, we are making sustainability a critical component of all the work we do. This is the ‘Get Sustainability Done’ administration, and we will continue to serve as a model for cities across the globe in combating climate change while still delivering vital government services to New Yorkers every day.”

“New York City is proud to run on clean, renewable diesel and play our critical role in protecting the planet,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “By transitioning to renewable diesel with our heavy-duty vehicles, we are reducing dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and keeping our air clean. This change exemplifies the Adams administration’s steadfast commitment to addressing climate change and delivering environmental justice by taking an innovative, forward-thinking approach.”

“City government must be the change we want to see, leading the way in our city’s green energy transition,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “This commitment to renewable diesel is a major milestone in our broad strategy to transition city operations to green and clean energy and do our part in protecting our planet’s limited resources.”