The City of Bellingham is taking steps to reduce the environmental impacts of its fleet vehicles and gasoline-powered equipment by adopting an alternative fuel. A 5% mixture of biodiesel is now available at the Public Work Fleet Shop on Pacific Street and at their fuel supplier’s pumps. The City's use of biodiesel is one of the many efforts the City is taking to reach the target of reducing carbon emissions by 64% from 2000 levels by 2012 and by 70% by 2020. Bellingham has 119 diesel powered vehicles and/or equipment in its fleet.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel source produced from plant oils. It is produced domestically, which reduces dependence on foreign oil. It can be used in any mixture concentration in conventional diesel engines and it produces fewer greenhouse gasses and air pollutants when combusted. Depending on the results of this pilot program, the city may eventually transition to higher percentages of biodiesel, further reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.