Facing the prospect of a large fine from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the city of Bangor came up with an innovative way to reduce pollution in the region. Beginning this spring, the city will burn a biodiesel mixture in its buses, fire trucks and heavy equipment. The alternative fuel will reduce hydrocarbon emissions from such vehicles by 20 percent, a positive outcome to a negative situation.

In 2001, the EPA began working with cities and towns to identify and correct violations of federal environmental laws. As an aside, Bangor officials say they did not receive notification of this program, though the program was hardly hidden. In any event, EPA officials investigated several city-run sites and found seven violations, ranging from not properly training employees in the handling of hazardous waste to storing materials without adequate secondary containment in case of a spill. No significant releases of hazardous wastes into the environment were found by the EPA investigation.

In addition to correcting the problems, the city proposed to convert its fleet of diesel-burning vehicles, which comprise most of the city’s motor pool, to a cleaner fuel source. Starting in late April, fire trucks, buses, snow plows, graders and other heavy equipment

will burn a mixture that is 20 percent vegetable oil and 80 percent diesel. The 90 vehicles that will use the new fuel will emit 16 percent less carbon dioxide, 11 percent less carbon monoxide and 20 percent fewer sulfates. It also reduced the city’s fine to less than $60,000.

The city won’t have to retrofit its vehicles, but biodiesel currently costs about 40 cents more per gallon than regular diesel fuel. The city must use the alternative fuel for two to four years or until it has spent $180,000 on the project. A bill recently passed by Congress increases tax subsidies for producers of alternative fuels in the hopes that the price of such fuels will drop. If it does, Bangor can use biodiesel for a longer time or use it in more vehicles.

Another benefit could be the expansion of the biodiesel market here. Bangor is the first customer for this fuel, which comes from Massachusetts, in the region. Since it will now be shipped to central Maine, other large consumers should be encouraged to convert to biodiesel as well.

Also as a result of the EPA investigation, Bangor is in the process of hiring an environmental manager. This person will make sure that all city entities comply with state and federal laws and will work to help the city lessen its impact on the environment by using less toxic chemicals and fossil fuels and improving energy efficiency, for example.

There is a downside to the EPA investigation. As part of their review, the agency found jet fuel leaking into a building at the tank farm that holds and supplies fuel to Bangor International Airport. An investigation is now under way to determine if the leak is ongoing and how far the fuel has spread into the surrounding ground. The pipeline that carries fuel from the tank farm to the airport is also being tested. The city, along with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and EPA, will conduct tests to determine if any of the leaking fuel made its way to Birch Stream, which flows near the airport.

Work remains to be done, but the agreement between Bangor and the EPA reinforces the idea that environmental improvements beat punitive fines.