Editorial: For cleaner air, grease is the word

Monday, Nov. 18, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

The Clark County School District's recent conversion to biodiesel fuel for its buses sets a good example for all fleet operators in the Las Vegas Valley. The cleaner-burning fuel is also being used by the cities of Henderson and Las Vegas, as well as by the Clark County Health District and Las Vegas Valley Water District. As more government agencies turn to the fuel, more distributors will get into the business, thus hastening the availability of bio-fuels for use by commercial trucks and private automobiles.

Important years in the development of biodiesel were 1998, when President Bill Clinton ordered that federal vehicles use it whenever possible, and 2000, when the Environmental Protection Agency announced it had passed rigorous emissions testing. The immediate benefit is cleaner air. Studies have shown that children riding in school buses are exposed to four times more diesel exhaust than if traveling by car. The EPA determined that biodiesel emits 75 percent to 90 percent fewer cancer-causing toxins than diesel.

Equally important is that a good percentage of biodiesel can be produced domestically. While soybean oil is most commonly used, it can be made from any animal fat or vegetable oil. Although the fuel can be 100 percent "bio," it's usually a blend of about 20 percent bio and 80 percent traditional diesel. Interestingly, used fryer grease and cooking oil from restaurants may be used, which saves landfill space. In Las Vegas, Strip hotels and area restaurants are the source of much biodiesel. Other benefits are that no mechanical conversions are necessary and the fuel delivers power and mileage equal to diesel. The school district reports that biodiesel is about 10 cents a gallon more expensive. That price, however, should come down as the fuel takes hold. Even if it doesn't, the benefits far outweigh the cost.