Township initiates biodiesel program

Woodbridge Township officials announced their continued efforts to "go green" last week with a proposed pilot biodiesel fuel program.

"The program is a practical, cost-effective and energy-efficient way to power township vehicles while conserving nonrenewable petroleum diesel," said Mayor John E. McCormac.

The mayor added that the program was jump-started with a $65,500 grant from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities [BPU].

The grant allowed the Department of Public Works to install an above-ground biodiesel fuel tank and to establish an emissions monitoring program to measure the drop in hydrocarbon emissions from vehicles fueled with biodiesel.

The department selected six municipal vehicles, including two Ford International dump trucks and two Crane Carrier garbage trucks for the program.

"The vehicles will be monitored for emissions [biodiesel versus conventional diesel fuel emissions], fuel consumption, mileage per gallon, and overall performance during a four-month period," said McCormac.

Additionally, the department will receive rebates on the purchase of biodiesel fuel through state and county rebate programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, biodiesel fuel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Proponents have argued that biodiesel increases energy security, improves public health and the environment, and provides safety benefits.

Compared to using petroleum diesel, using biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine has been said to substantially reduce emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

"The biodiesel fuel program is a win-win for the township, our residents and the environment," said council President Brenda Yori-Velasco.

The township departments are working with the township Environmental Commission to implement energy-saving initiatives that can be easily accomplished by township residents, businesses and municipal facilities.

The initiatives include: replacing standard light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs; exploring the potential of installing high-effi- ciency, energy-producing solar panels at the Woodbridge Community Center, Main Library, Health Center and other municipal facilities with flat roofs; continuing purchases of energysaving, fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles to supplement the municipal fleet; expanding the public works recycling program to include the disposal of compact fluorescent light bulbs, electronics and computers; opening the recycling and bulk waste "convenience center" at the public works facility in Keasbey, and the municipal tree replacement program in parks and municipal properties.

"We are looking for a grant from BPU to get us going with the solar panel project," said John Hagerty, communications director for the township.

The mayor announced the purchase of 12 hybrid 2007 Ford Escape vehicles in February, which cost $25,576 each and are estimated by the manufacturer to get over 36 miles per gallon.

The township also reduced the purchase price of the hybrid vehicles by more than $48,000 through state and county rebates totaling more than $4,000 per vehicle.