Lincoln, Nebraska Mayor Don Wesely recently announced the start of a demonstration using an ethanol/diesel fuel blend in the city's bus fleet, StarTran. Four buses will be involved in a one-year project to test the fuel's performance in a wide range of operating conditions. Each bus, equipped with a new Detroit Diesel 6V92 diesel engine, will operate on a blend of 7.7 volume percent ethanol, one percent blending agent and diesel fuel. The buses are expected to log 35,000 miles over the course of the year. Sponsors are hopeful the program will demonstrate the fuel's ability to significantly reduce vehicle emissions.

Sponsors include the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Cargill Inc., Williams Energy Company and the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board. AAE Technologies, Inc. is providing the blending agent. Emissions testing will be completed by the U.S. Department of Energy's mobile testing laboratory and the University of Nebraska's engine testing lab.

"In light of recent fuel price spikes and supply concerns, we are more determined than ever to find domestic fuel sources that are kind to the environment, reduce imports of fossil fuels and provide jobs for our citizens," said Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely. "If this new fuel delivers the performance and environmental advantages we expect, Nebraska-produced ethanol will have access to the 50-billion gallon a year U.S. diesel fuel market."