Businesses turning to biodiesel

Wednesday, August 11th, 2004

Area businesses and organizations are beginning to appreciate biodiesel fuel. Left to right are Jim Healy of General Produce, Ray-Mac Mechanical owner John McDowell, Cross Petroleum president Jim Cross, Siskiyou Opportunity Center executive director Larry Montgomery, Timberworks representative Rick Knight, and Shasta Energy Group executive director Meadow Barr.

By Paul Boerger

When Cross Petroleum began selling biodiesel fuel in Mount Shasta and Yreka in June of this year, company president Jim Cross was unsure how much interest the soy based product would generate.

"When Shasta Energy Group approached us with the idea, we went slow at first," Cross said.

Since then, local companies and organizations have begun using biodiesel, and they report the fuel is problem free.

Cross said he is negotiating with Trinity County to supply biodiesel for its county vehicles, too.

Among those using biodiesel in Siskiyou County are the Siskiyou Opportunity Center, General Produce, Timberworks, Ray-Mac Mechanical and Cross Petroleum's tankers.

Biodiesel is a fuel made with animal fats or vegetable oil that runs diesel engines without modification. Biodiesel is rated by blend percentage. Cross Petroleum sells a B-20 mixture made of 20 percent soybean oil and 80 percent petroleum.

Called Biosoy Low Nox, the fuel also includes an additive that reduces nitrous oxide emissions.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, biodiesel significantly reduces carbon monoxide, particulate and sulfate emissions. Biodiesel is also nontoxic and biodegradable.

"We're using it in a ten yard dump truck without any problems," said Timberworks representative Rick Knight.

Knight said another important reason to use the fuel is to cut emissions for drivers of open cab construction vehicles.

"Guys are driving all day long with diesel fumes around them," Knight said. "It's a cleaner burn."

Siskiyou Opportunity Center executive director Larry Montgomery said biodiesel is the responsible fuel to use.

"It's makes sense that since we run a recycling center that we use clean fuel," Montgomery said. "It's part of our continuing effort for a cleaner environment."

General Produce is running biodiesel in its local delivery trucks.

"We're an organic wholesale distributor," said manager Jim Healy. "If we get better efficiency, we're all for it. The company in general recycles."

Healy said one of his initial concerns was whether biodiesel would violate vehicle warranties. His research found that it does not.

Cross also confirmed that his research into a variety of vehicles found biodiesel does not invalidate warranties.

Ray-Mac Mechanical is testing biodiesel in one work truck and also has it running in two heaters.

Ray-Mac owner John McDowell said one of the heaters is running B-100 which contains no petroleum. McDowell said the B-100 will have to have an additive for the winter months as pure biodiesel gels at low temperatures.

According to the EPA, the higher percentage of bio fuel, the cleaner the burn.

Cross said the B-20 mix is safe for all vehicles without modification, but higher mixes can cause problems in older vehicles.

The EPA recommends that fuel rubber seals and lines in vehicles older than 1993 be replaced with non-rubber materials when using mixes greater than B-35.

Cross said stringent new diesel fuel regulations going into effect in 2006 are met by biodiesel. Diesel engines using pure petroleum based fuels will have to undergo extensive modifications.

Designed in 1895 by Rudolph Diesel, the diesel engine was originally demonstrated at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition using pure peanut oil.

With the price of petroleum soaring and bio fuel prices falling with increased demand, the diesel engine may be returning to its roots of nearly 100 ago.

Biosoy Low Nox is available in Mount Shasta at the Pacific Pride Fueling Station, located at 1012 North Mount Shasta Blvd. Bulk sales are also available. For more information, call 530-926-2049.

For more information on biodiesel and a list of stations nationwide that carry the fuel, go to www.biodiesel.org.

Courtesy of Mount Shasta Herald