In San Francisco, garbage transport by rail would exceed proposed fuel efficiency rules

The Obama administration proposed first-ever fuel efficiency rules for trucks with the goal of reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in big rig trucks by 20 percent by 2018. In the case of transferring garbage, San Francisco could exceed Obama's standard three years sooner if the Board of Supervisors approves a proposal to shift garbage transport from big rigs to rail. Such a change would reduce fuel consumption by 100,000 gallons a year, a 20.5 percent savings in fuel usage and emissions. The rail proposal, submitted to the City from Recology, will save rate payers more than $125 million over 10 years compared to the next lowest bid. San Francisco sends about 400,000 tons of garbage to landfill a year. Recology's bid, based on current disposal rates, came in 44 percent lower than next bid. The rail haul plan won a tentative award from the San Francisco Department of the Environment a year ago. Department officials said they recommended the most cost-effective proposal and the greenest proposal. The Recology proposal was introduced at the Board of Supervisors earlier this month and is expected to be heard in committee after the election and voted on by the full board before the end of the year