Westchester County Airport has joined the ranks of other airports around the world that are finding success in using renewable diesel fuel to power ground equipment. Renewable diesel can be used interchangeably with diesel fuel made from fossil sources but is produced using sustainable sources such as used cooking oil and animal fats.
A pilot program testing the bio-fuel on ground service equipment such as tugs used for moving airplanes at the county’s airport has confirmed that renewable diesel delivers both financial and environmental benefits. With the completion of the pilot program, the county is transitioning to make permanent use of the renewable diesel. The County tested the bio-based fuel on its 64 pieces of ground service equipment through four seasons beginning last winter and found that renewable diesel performed seamlessly while saving money.
By moving to the use of renewable diesel, Westchester County Airport is joining other airports such as San Diego International, London Gatwick, Zurich Airport, Helsinki Airport and Changi Airport in Singapore that have adopted the environmentally-friendly fuel for their ground equipment fleets.
Westchester’s Director of Aviation April Gasparri said, “At Westchester County Airport, we are committed to running safe and efficient operations while reducing our environmental impact. This trial confirmed that renewable diesel is a reliable and cost-saving solution, and we are proud to make it part of our long-term sustainability plan.”
The county’s analysis shows renewable diesel was 17%t less expensive than regular diesel in 2025.
County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “This pilot demonstrates that we can be responsible stewards of services to the public, while still advancing ambitious sustainability goals. Renewable diesel is lowering our costs and reducing our carbon footprint, proving that efficiency and environmental progress are not mutually exclusive.”
According to Deputy County Executive Richard Wishnie, “Westchester is leading by example. This pilot program demonstrates how local governments can adopt sustainable practices that not only protect the environment but also deliver tangible savings for stakeholders.”
Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt said that the renewal diesel “enables us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without compromising performance or incurring additional expenses. This will truly help Westchester reach its long-term energy goals.”
