Alabama's Siegelman learns about biodiesel

[Smiling JOe]

Siegelman learns about biodiesel
http://www.zwire.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.zwire.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.zwire.com/images/spacer.gif By: Susan Walworth - Tribune features editor 05/02/2006http://www.zwire.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.zwire.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.zwire.com/images/spacer.gif



Full Story here (http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16569066&BRD=2235&PAG=461&dept_id=439676&rfi=6)
http://images.zwire.com/local/Z/Zwire2235/zwire/images/2006/05/story/20060502_111113_1_story.gif
Arriving in Eufaula (AL) Saturday morning in a bus powered partially with "fried chicken grease from Eufaula," gubernatorial candidate, former Gov. Don Siegelman wanted to see how Eufaula is producing the biodiesel for use in city vehicles.
...

When he wasn't commenting on the trial, Siegelman was complementing the city for its bio-diesel project.

"This is really not a fantasy," Siegelman said of using bio-diesel, made from used vegetable oil and other alternative fuels as an answer to the rising cost of gas. "It's something that needs to be produced and made available to the public."

Siegleman wants Alabama to be a leader in establishing alternative fuel sources.

At the public works department on Boundary Street where the bio-diesel operation is located, Bill Clark, who initiated and has been in charge of the operation, explained the process to Siegelman.

After naming the city vehicles that use the alternative fuel including garbage trucks and backhoes, Clark told Siegelman the bio-diesel was saving the city about 35 cents per gallon.

Clark also told him bio-diesel allowed the city's rolling stock to keep rolling during the fuel shortages caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Siegelman said he would like to see other communities start similar alternative fuel operations through assistance from state grants. Eufaula received an ADECA grant to begin the biodiesel project.

"We've got the expertise in the state (to develop alternative fuels)," Clark told Siegelman.

[JB]

Of course, this would be great - provided he doesn't get convicted during his latest ethics trial :funn:

[Smiling JOe]

Of course, this would be great - provided he doesn't get convicted during his latest ethics trial :funn:That is the first part of the article to which I provided the link. :rolling:


The more important part of the story is that at least one small town is recycling its used vegetable oils into biodiesel to use for some of its operating equipment.

[JB]

My wife is from Eufaula. I've spent a good bit of time there. Of all the small towns in Alabama, they seem like the least likely to do something like this.

Kudos to them.

[John R]

http://www.town.telluride.co.us/home/index.asp?page=234

What is user-friendly, renewable, a domestic product and smells like french fries?

B I O D I E S E L F U E L

Did you know . . .

*
In 2003, a bus in the town's fleet was converted to run on 100% biodiesel fuel thanks to local citizens and a $17,500 Colorado Renewable Energy grant.
*
Telluride's biodiesel bus is the first 100% biodiesel powered public transportation bus in the United States.
*
In America alone there are four billion gallons of fryer grease each year that could be recycled into biodiesel fuel.
*
Biodiesel operates in conventional diesel engines with little or no modification needed.
*
Biodiesel is safer than petroleum diesel to use, handle and store and utilizes existing fueling stations.
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Biodiesel exhaust is 97% less carcinogenic than the exhaust produced by fossil-based diesel fuel.
*
Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils that are biodegradable, nontoxic and renewable.
*
France is the largest producer of biodiesel in the world, but anyone can make it.
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Biodiesel blends completely with petrol-diesel. A popular combination used in Germany is an 80/20 mix.
*
An engine will actually last between 20 and 40% longer running on biodiesel due to its higher lubricity.
*
Alternative fuel sources reduce our dependency on foreign oil.
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There are hundreds of biodiesel fuel pumps in the U.S.
*
U.S. governmental agencies using biodiesel include: Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Postal Service, several National Parks and more!

Telluride's Biodiesel Bus

[Smiling JOe]

My wife is from Eufaula. I've spent a good bit of time there. Of all the small towns in Alabama, they seem like the least likely to do something like this.

Kudos to them.What is your wife's maiden name?

[kathydwells]

My wife is from Eufaula.

So is my husband. Small world.

[Smiling JOe]

So is my husband. Small world.... and what is his name?

[JB]

What is your wife's maiden name?

Joe, shoot me a PM.

[kathydwells]

... and what is his name?

Rex Wells, his brothers are Larry, Dewey and Bobby Wells.

[whiteyfunn]

I can't believe he is running again! :doh: