DES MOINES, IA - Alliant Energy’s fleet of 800 service vehicles now sport a decal showing the fact that they are fueled by biodiesel or E-85, according to the Web site, www.timesrepublican.com. Alliant Energy recently put into full gear a pilot program started last year to fuel its 800-vehicle fleet of service trucks by biodiesel and the E-85 blend of ethanol and accomplished it.

“It’s more about making sure we do all we can to have a cleaner environment while supporting agriculture and industries that are fueling the growth of renewable energy sources,” said Barbara Siehr, vice president of customer service operations at Alliant, in a press release. “Each step we take toward voluntarily reducing emissions and growing domestic energy production will benefit the next generation.”

The fleet of 800 includes trenchers, digger derricks, tractors and bucket trucks, all designed for homegrown, biodegradable and nontoxic biodiesel produced from renewable resources like soybeans.

Smaller vehicles, like those used for meter reading, are flex fuel for use of E-85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline that burns cleaner than gasoline and is renewable and environmentally friendly.

The changeover was part of the company’s commitment to green energy sources beyond wind, solar and biomass, it said.

The vehicles will be delivered and issued to their operators this summer.

“The transition from petroleum-based fuels to alternative fuels has been seamless with no issues,” Siehr said. “Using these alternative-based fuels builds on our commitment of deploying new technologies.”

The vehicles will display special decals indicating they are powered by an environmentally-friendly fuel.