(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, contracts for the purchase of diesel fuel or boiler fuel shall be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidders, with preference given to bids for biofuels or blends of biofuel and petroleum fuel.(b) When purchasing fuel for use in diesel engines, the preference shall be fivecents per gallon of one hundred per cent biodiesel. For blends containing both biodiesel and petroleum-based diesel, the preference shall be applied only to the biodiesel portion of the blend.(c) When purchasing fuel for use in boilers, the preference shall be five cents per gallonof one hundred per cent biofuel. For blends containing both biofuel and petroleum-based boiler fuel, the preference shall be applied only to the biofuel portion of the blend.(d) As used in this section, “biodiesel” means a vegetable oil-based fuel that meets ASTM International standard D6751, “Standard Specification for Biodiesel (B100) Fuel Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels”, as amended.(e) As used in this section, “biofuel” means fuel from non-petroleum plant or animal based sources that can be used for the generation of heat or power.
