The request for the biofuel crop study follows a similar resolution sponsored by Commissioner Sorenson that was adopted on March 6th that requires Miami-Dade to develop a plan for integrating biofuels into the County fleet. A blend of ethanol at 10% (commonly called E10) can currently be introduced into the fleet without any modification to the cars, trucks or fueling facilities operated by the County.  Higher concentrations of ethanol – up to 85% (E85) - would require improvements to fueling infrastructure and purchase of fleet vehicles that can operate on E85.  The County will now seek funds from the State of Florida and elsewhere in order to upgrade the County government fueling facilities to allow the introduction of E85 vehicles.  Miami-Dade Transit is also looking to integrate biodiesel into their fleet of buses.  The County will now work to incorporate biodiesel into the rest of its heavy equipment fleet and fueling infrastructure.

Commissioner Sorenson passed a resolution in 2003 that required the County to cut 20% of its gasoline use by 2008.  Inclusion of ethanol would help the County meet that petroleum reduction goal by replacing an equivalent of at least ten percent of the fuel with renewable ethanol.

“Growing and refining these crops right here in Miami-Dade County and incorporating biofuels into the County fleet creates an opportunity to bring a new, environmentally valuable industry to Miami-Dade County,” explained Commissioner Sorenson.  “I am looking for ways to help our local growers find new markets for their products while we push out foreign oil and cut our climate change emissions all at once.”