In a strong commitment to alternative fuels, Gov. Bob Taft announced last week one of every four gallons of fuel used to power Ohio’s fleet of diesel vehicles will be biodiesel.

Taft signed an executive order Tuesday, Sept. 20, requiring the Ohio Department of Transportation to use at least 1 million gallons of biodiesel and 30,000 gallons of ethanol annually. The governor also mandated any future passenger vehicles purchased by the agency be able to run on fuel with high blends of ethanol.

All vehicles that can use diesel are already capable of using the biodiesel blend.

“Today, Ohio is taking a major step forward in the state’s commitment to biofuels, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, decreasing emissions and increasing opportunities for the Ohio biodiesel and farm industry,” Taft said in a written statement.

The governor’s order is similar to a bill offered by Rep. Steve Reinhard, R-Bucyrus, which would require all state agencies to use more alternative fuels.

Reinhard’s measure would require that 90 percent of new state vehicles be capable of using alternative fuels and that 90 percent of the entire fleet supply for state vehicles be alternative fuels by 2009.

HB245 is in the House Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.