Baltimore officials are beginning tests to see if they can use renewable biofuels long-term in city boilers, The Associated Press reports.
The city’s spending panel approved a deal with New Generation Biofuels to start burn tests at three city facilities.
If the tests are successful, the clean-burning, vegetable-based biofuels would replace heating oil in city buildings.
Two Baltimore elementary schools are also testing biofuels.
Under the agreement, the city will use a maximum of 440,000 gallons of biofuel, which will cost $1.32 million at most. City officials say that’s lower than the current price of heating oil.
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Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says the deal is a big step toward making city buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable.
