New York City Mayor signs bill to increase amount of biodiesel in heating oil to 20%

The Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio has signed legislation that will increase the amount of biodiesel in the city’s heating oil supply to 20%.

The bill, which passed by a 47-3 vote in September, will increase the biodiesel percentage from the current 2% level to 5% by 1 October, 2017, and eventually up to 20% by 2034.

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) estimates that the increase from a 2% blend to 5% would reduce emissions equivalent to taking 45,000 cars off the road, with the increase to 20% being comparable removing more than a quarter of a million cars.

“New York City is once again setting an example for the rest of the Northeast to follow by ensuring consumers are provided with the nation’s cleanest heating oil,” said Donnell Rehagen, COO at NBB, upon the bill’s passing in September.

New York has experienced a 19% reduction in carbon emissions since 2005, and according to the NBB it is on track to reach an 80% reduction by 2050.