Lifetime Achievement Award: Bill Jacob

The setup allows the company to blend fuel right at the pump ranging from 5 percent to 20 percent.

“Most companies will typically buy biodiesel that’s already been blended directly by their suppliers,” Jacob explains. “But we can blend this as we see fit.”

Not only does the fuel burn cleaner, but Jacob says biodiesel’s lubricating properties help the equipment last longer than straight diesel.

• Electric Cargo Tractors: Jacob was also working with Corvus Energy and its North American supplier, GTA Aviation, to install the company’s lithium ion batteries into two cargo tractors.

“Electric definitely has its niche,” Jacob says. “But we haven’t found the right performance with traditional lead acid batteries. We pull heavy loads – as much 32,000 pounds – and for long distances, too – as long as two miles.”

Jacob plans to test the system at Worldport to see how the batteries stand up to cargo demands.

• LSI Rule: Jacob is also building on an earlier accomplishment that we noted above in California. While the state’s “low spark ignition” rule required the retrofit, Jacob is implementing it at Worldport, swapping out old Ford 300 cubic-inch gas engines for four-cylinder versions.

“We’re doing it in Louisville because we know we can save fuel – as much as 30 percent,” he says. “Plus, the engines produce 85 percent less harmful emissions. So we can save money and it’s the right thing to do for the environment.”