Biodiesel to Haul Capitol XMas Tree from Arizona to DC

John Davis

CapitolChristmasTree2A green fuel will be used to haul the nation’s foremost evergreen cross-country.

This story from The Explorer newspaper out of Tuscon, Arizona says this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will be hauled from Arizona’s White Mountains to Washington, D.C., all on a truck running on biodiesel:

“We are thrilled to be a part of history, and bringing biodiesel as the fuel of choice into that history,” said Mike Monfred, compliance officer of Southwest Industrial Rigging [the company hauling the tree] in Phoenix.

ARIZONA'S TREE“We are honored to be the first state to deliver the tree in a clean, green manner,” said Richard Davalos, coordinator of the Capitol Christmas Tree. “We are also honored to help promote reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil.”

The Tucson Regional Clean Cities Program at Pima Association of Governments, the National Biodiesel Foundation and Southwest Industrial Rigging are helping Arizona officials in plotting the route to Washington, D.C.

The route will allow for refueling with biodiesel, and public education is planned along the way about the benefits of biodiesel.

“This is a great undertaking, and one that Arizona should be proud of,” said Tom Verry, executive director of the National Biodiesel Foundation.

If you want to be part of this historic biodiesel moment and help pay for the green fuel to haul the tree across the country, contact Clean Cities Manager Colleen Crowninshield at ccrowninshield@pagnet.org.

Biodiesel