Maine’s Oakhurst Dairy is transitioning 130 delivery trucks, or more than 90 percent of its fleet, to biodiesel fuel. The switch, which should be finished in December, will give Oakhurst the largest private biodiesel fleet in New England.

That could be a powerful distinction, while it lasts, considering the one-upmanship that’s following corporate migrations to clean energy.

The change, which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1332 tons per year, is part of Oakhurst’s commitment to the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, a voluntary carbon dioxide emissions reduction programin Maine that was initiated in 2004. Oakhurst agreed to cut direct emissions by 15 percent and indirect emissions by five percent (below year 2000 levels).

Oakhurst also cited the eight cent per gallon reduction in the excise tax for motor fuel that contains at least two percent biodiesel, a provision of Governor Baldacci’s energy bill last session, as a reason for the switch to biodiesel.

The greenhouse gas emissions to be saved by Oakhurst’s use of B20 are estimated to be equivalent to avoiding the use of 137,628 gallons of gasoline annually. The company’s goal is to increase the biodiesel ratio in their fuel beyond 20 percent in the future, as long as no engine problems arise.

Oakhurst is working with Clean Air-Cool Planet to find ways to reduce its carbon footprint.