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Biodiesel fuels are driving ahead |
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Written On: July/August 2003 |
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Written By: By Carly West |
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Over the past several years, there has been an increasing number of cars on the road and along with that, our nation has increased its dependence on fossil fuels. The increased use of fossil fuels in automobiles, coupled with the use of fossil fuels in farm equipment and to heat homes is depleting the world’s supply of this nonrenewable resource.
Because we can never get back the fossil fuels we use, there is an increasing need and urgency to find a new fuel source. While many people have been trying to come up with an affordable replacement for quite a while, most people outside of the alternative fuel field do not realize that there is currently a renewable fuel source being used in man different capacities. This fuel is called biodiesel and is completely natural and renewable.
The National Biodiesel Board defines biodiesel as “a domestic renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil” through a process called transesterification where “glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil.
Biodiesel can be used in its pure form or combined with petroleum diesel to form a blend. Either way, biodiesel can be used to fuel any existing diesel engine with nearly no modifications.
In addition to being able to run in existing engines, it can be stored and transported using similar equipment to what is used currently for petroleum diesel. While biodiesel’s uses are similar to petroleum diesel, its effects on the environment are quite different. Biodiesel produces lower emissions and is virtually nontoxic.
At this point, biodiesel is slightly more expensive than petroleum diesel. The National Biodiesel Board estimates the use of a 2 percent blend of biodiesel is only about two to three cents per gallon more than petroleum diesel. This increased cost is partially due to the fuel source being relatively young and without much demand, but over time the cost could go down. Along with decreased cost, an increase in use of biodiesel will decrease the United States’ dependence on foreign fuels.
With its many benefits and few drawbacks, both public companies and private individuals are looking to biodiesel as an alternative fuel source. Included on the list of users are Baltimore Gas and Electric, Cincinnati Metro, Yellowstone National Park and even Olympia’s Intercity Transit.
While Olympia Intercity Transit has always looked at using alternative fuels, it was not until recently that the use of biodiesel became a feasible alternative. After an initial test in mid-2002, Intercity Transit began using a B20 biodiesel blend in all of its diesel engines in December 2002. In the six months of use, there have been no reports of operational problems. Randy Winders, maintenance director for Intercity Transit, estimates, “we pay 20 cents more per gallon for the B20 biodiesel blend than straight diesel and we will pay about $85,000 this year to fuel our vehicles and reduce our demand on fossil fuels by 20 percent.” In an effort to keep costs down, Intercity Transit bids out the contract for their biodiesel supply every month, a practice they used with petroleum diesel as well. Most of the suppliers who win the contract are part of World Energy Group, a national alternative fuel provider.
On a more local level, Sound Biodiesel, a distributor of World Energy biodiesel, is working to provide the alternative fuel to municipal users and retail dealers in both the northwest United States and British Columbia.
Sam Bryant, owner of Sound Biodiesel, began researching alternative fuels in 1999 in preparation for Y2K. His interest started in his garage, making biodiesel for personal use in his diesel truck and has now developed into a business. Bryant says his business has been fairly steady—he did experience almost twice as many phone calls during the recent war in Iraq—but hopes HB 1240, passed in March, will help his business grow from simply distribution into manufacturing. HP 1240, along with HB 1241-1243 provide tax incentives for the production, distribution, use and a pilot project, respectively, of biodiesel. With the help of tax breaks and federal subsidizing, there is a chance for biodiesel to grow and become more affordable.
“It takes four acres of farm land to run a car for a year,” Bryant said. “It is something fulfilling and sets you free knowing you can make your own.”
So, as we look to a future with more cars, more manufacturing and more homes to heat, we must also look to a way to replace our rapidly depleting fossil fuel supply. Biodiesel has proven to be one of the most effective fuel alternatives and is quickly gaining attention in many arenas, including the legislature. As one of the most thoroughly tested alternative fuels, biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have passed the Health Effects testing of the Clean Air Act, as well as maintain performance in engines that previously used petroleum diesel, and it is all from things we already have and use. As Bryant remarks, “it is amazing that it comes from such a natural source.”
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