Bio-diesel has been available in Europe for about twenty years. Proponents want to see it as part of the mainstream in the United States. Bio-diesel is an alternative fuel made at least in part from fat or vegetable oil, which could benefit the environment and farmers. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Christina Shockley has more:
Transcript
Bio-diesel has been available in Europe for about twenty years. Proponents want to see it as part of the mainstream in the United States. Bio-diesel is an alternative fuel made at least in part from fat or vegetable oil, which could benefit the environment and farmers. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Christina Shockley has more:
Soy-based bio-diesel is simply soybean oil minus the glycerin, says Jenna Higgins from the National Bio-diesel board. It’s burned in its pure form or after it’s mixed with petroleum. About twenty-five U.S. retailers offer soy-based bio-diesel in a number of states, and Higgins says it’s used now by more than 100 fleets nationwide, from organizations like school districts, national parks, and government agencies.
“Fleets that have vehicles that go home to the same garage every night, they have their own fueling stations.”
The fuel is renewable, cleaner than diesel, and works well in diesel engines. But it’s expensive. Soon, the government could provide tax incentives for bio-diesel, which could make the cost comparable to that of diesel. For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Christina Shockley.