Originally published October 16 2005
Michigan school district turns to biofuel to spare budget and environment
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Greenville, Mich. school district budgeted for an eight percent increase in diesel fuel prices over the last year, but when the prices jumped 30 percent, the school board decided to try and recoup the lost funds by switching to cheaper and more environmentally friendly B-20 soybean biofuel, reports The Grand Rapids Press.
Greenville Public Schools is taking an environmentally conscious approach to powering its buses that could save the district money down the road.
At the end of last school year, the district was paying $1.86 a gallon for diesel fuel.
At the beginning of this school year, the price had jumped to $2.45, an increase of more than 30 percent.
If prices continue to climb, we could be looking at spending an extra $40,000 for fuel," said district Transportation Director Joe Knight.
Knight hopes to recoup some of the money spent on conventional diesel by gradually switching to a B-20 soybean blend that should reduce vehicle maintenance.
B-20 "biodiesel," a mixture of 20 percent soybean oil and 80 percent diesel fuel, not only burns cleaner but provides protection against engine wear, according to the district's Greenville-based supplier, Petersen Oil &Propane.
"We're one of the first distributors in the area to make this product available, and Greenville will be our first school customer to try it," said Jill Blair, the company's bulk facilities manager.
Just last week, Petersen Oil began offering biodiesel and ethanol (made from corn) at its new "renewable" fuel center on M-91, just north of the city.
"We started looking into these fuels a few years ago as a means to support farmers and promote a cleaner environment," said Petersen Oil owner Mike Petersen.
Greenville transports about 2,200 of the district's 4,000 students, who are spread over 144 square miles.
"When you figure it costs $3.20 per mile to operate a bus, you look to save money wherever you can," Knight said.
St. Johns Public Schools was the first district in the state to begin using soy biodiesel in 2002.
"We have experienced very positive results using a B-20 blend in our fleet," he said, citing reduced repair costs.
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