Hailey Chevron is the first consumer retail location for biodiesel in the Wood River Valley. Working with the Environmental Resource Center, Hailey Chevron gained funding support from Idaho's Office of Energy Resources to install biodiesel pumps last week at its Main Street location.
According to ERC Executive Director Craig Barry, biodiesel cuts greenhouse gas emissions by more than 75 percent and burns significantly cleaner than diesel with reductions in many harmful pollutants.
Currently biodiesel costs about 3 percent more than regular diesel, though, Barry said, "in my opinion, that will change as regular diesel gas keeps climbing higher."
Unlike ethanol, biodiesel is made of soybeans and sometimes recycled cooking grease, not corn. Barry said that as such, it's not plagued by the same food-growing conflicts as corn-based ethanol. There are cost benefits as well. Barry said it costs considerably more to grow corn for ethanol than it does to make biodiesel fuel.
Vehicles can use biodiesel and diesel fuel interchangeably, as well as blended. The miles per gallon rating are about the same with either choice.
According to the National Biodiesel Board, an industry organization, not only is biodiesel cleaner for the environment, it'cleaner for a vehicle's motor. Biodiesel contains solvents that give it scrubbing powers, which will clean out many of the contaminants common to regular diesel fuels. At the most, owners will need to change their fuel filters since chemical contaminates being cleaned out will soon clog up the works. Most diesel vehicles made after 1993 can use biodiesel with no complications or modifications. Those made before 1993 will need to replace the rubber fuel lines.
As well, biodiesel can extend the life of a car's engine with its inherent lubricating properties, the National Biodiesel Board ontends.
"The Blaine County School District pledged to use biodiesel in their busses and vans if it were available," Barry said. "It's better for the environment and the kids."
For more facts on biodiesel, call the ERC at 726-4333 or visit www.biodiesel.org
