August 9, 2002 - Acting Director Ronald M. Basso announced today that the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services has awarded a $20,000 energy grant to the City of Grand Rapids to convert waste vegetable cooking oil into biodiesel.  The City will also launch an educational campaign to inform citizens about the project and its environmental benefits. 

Due to improper disposal, used cooking oils has become a problem for many wastewater treatment facilities.  This innovative project will collect used cooking oil from restaurants and process the oil to produce biodiesel.  The biodiesel will then be used in the city and possibly other local vehicle fleets.

Biodiesel can be used in all diesel engines and distributed through the current fueling infrastructure.  It’s typically used in 2% or 20% blends (B20), but it can also be used alone (B100).  Vehicles running on biodiesel have lower exhaust emissions and particulates, reduced odor, and minimized black smoke.  Biodiesel also contains no sulfur and therefore would meet EPA low-sulfur diesel requirements, which will take effect June 2006.

“Not only will this project provide a cleaner, renewable fuel, it will also utilize an abundant waste product,” said Basso.  “There are many advantages to using renewable sources of energy.  They can be produced domestically thereby reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and they can keep more profits in our communities by providing local employment opportunities.”          

The grant will be administered by the CIS Energy Office through the Michigan Biomass Energy Program (MBEP).  For additional information, please contact the MBEP coordinator-Kelly Launder at 517-241-6223 or City of Grand Rapids Environmental Protection Services Director-Cortland Overmyer at 616-456-4636.   Click here for the MBEP website.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.