Media Contacts:
Keefe Harrison, 919/515-9881
Greg Thomas, News Services, 919/515-3470

March 4, 2003

NC State Runs Greener with Biodiesel Fuel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

When it comes to reducing harmful tailpipe emissions and dependence on foreign oil, every little bit helps. Using alternative fuels is one way to achieve that - and it's something that North Carolina State University is doing today.

All diesel fuel now purchased by Fleet Services at NC State is a "B-20" blend of biodiesel. More than 120 NC State vehicles and pieces of equipment have already made the switch. Over the next three years, Wolfline buses serving campus will also use the biodiesel fuel.

Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from renewable resources. It contains no petroleum but can be mixed with petroleum to create a biodiesel blend. The "green" fuel is made through a chemical process that separates glycerin from vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products - methyl esters, the chemical name for biodiesel, and glycerin. The glycerin is then sold for use in soaps and other products.

"Air quality is an ever-increasing concern in the Triangle. The immediate support that we've received since announcing our switch to B-20 has been a wonderful example that the public is interested in making air pollution standards a priority," said Keefe Harrison of the NC State Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling.

Using biodiesel fits in with the NC State Transportation Department's three goals of reducing pollution, decreasing dependence on foreign oil and promoting domestic economic development. "Biodiesel is an especially good alternative fuel choice for today's Wolfline because it is the only alternative fuel that requires no modifying or purchasing of new buses. So we can contribute to a cleaner environment without raising fees for our transit services," said Claire Kane, transportation planner for the department.

Wolfline buses will begin using biodiesel in the coming months. Jerry Mooney, general manager of Connex, a Raleigh bus company that provides Wolfline service, said 20 to 22 buses will switch to the new fuel as soon as a storage tank and pumping equipment arrives. "Our goal is to have all 30 buses in our fleet eventually using biodiesel or some other alternative fuel," Mooney said.

Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health-effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in a substantial reduction of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide particulate matter, toxic contaminants, sulfur dioxide, visible smoke and noxious odors, compared to emissions from diesel fuel.

Soon every vehicle running on B-20 will sport a large red and white sticker that reads, "This vehicle is fueled with biodiesel made in part from cleaner burning, non-petroleum sources." Harrison says that she hopes that students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community will begin to think more seriously about what fuels their vehicles.

The B-20 blend that NC State is using is made up of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent standard diesel. B-20 generally costs between 9 and 12 cents per gallon more than regular diesel. A $7,250 grant from the Triangle J Council of Governments is covering 80 percent of the increased cost.

- thomas -