Sept. 24, 2007 An expanded federal initiative and growing customer demand for greenƒ†â€™ƒÂ¢¢â€šÂ¬…¡ƒ¢â‚¬Å¡ƒâ€š‚ shippers are expected to accelerate biodiesel use in the trucking industry, FarmWeek reports. (via GreenBiz)

The EPA's new Grow and Go program, part of its SmartWay initiative, encourages technologies and strategies aimed at improving fleet energy efficiency while reducing air pollution.

California-based State Logistics, for example, is increasing its business by finding more sustainable transportation options for companies including CLIF Bar, according to National Biodiesel Board outreach director Tom Verry, who is working with EPA, truck brokers, and other supply chain companies.

(Biodiesel use) is the hip thing to do," says Verry. Were starting to see more and more people ask questions about it."

Also, the guys like driving the biodiesel trucks better,ƒ†â€™ƒÂ¢¢â€šÂ¬…¡ƒ¢â‚¬Å¡ƒâ€š‚ he says. Theyre quieter; they dont smoke as much.ƒ†â€™ƒÂ¢¢â€šÂ¬…¡ƒ¢â‚¬Å¡ƒâ€š‚