Innovative and progressive, Charlotte Water launched a pilot program that’s helping keep the environment clean.

As the biggest public water and wastewater utility in the Southeast, Charlotte Water must maintain a large vehicle fleet. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the fleet is a top priority.

The pilot program, which kicked off in May, has 34 diesel vehicles that use renewable diesel produced by the Renewable Energy Group. Renewable fuel burns cleaner and is an alternative to traditional diesel fuel.

The first three months of the program resulted in greenhouse gas emissions being reduced by approximately 75 tons. Within a year’s time, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 300 tons.

The pilot program is expected to run for approximately six months where it will then be evaluated for continuation or expansion.