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The City of Crossville, TN has taken another energy-efficient step, approving funding for a biodiesel project that will have multiple benefits.
The project will involve turning used cooking oil from local restaurants and individuals into biodiesel to be used in city vehicles and equipment that run on diesel.
The benefits will be multi-faceted, said Crossville mayor J.H. Graham III.
"Not only will it recycle used cooking oil, and save the city substantial money on fuel costs while reducing emissions, it will help reduce blockages in our sewer lines," Graham said.
Regular diesel fuel has recently risen to about $2.75 per gallon, while biodiesel can be produced for roughly 80 cents per gallon, which would represent a substantial savings in fuel costs for the city, Graham said. The environmental impact would also be significant. Biodiesel produces less carbon emissions than regular diesel, experts say.
"While less than one percent of the earth's surface is covered by cities," Graham said, "municipalities are responsible for 80 percent of the world's heat-retaining greenhouse gases. This issue is about climate change, saving on energy use and dollars. The battle to tackle climate change will be won or lost in cities. That's why Crossville wants to lead by example."
Cooking oil put into the sewer system through dishwashing also creates blockages. Experts say even after emptying used cooking oil into a container, washing the pot or pan can still put as much as a tablespoon of oil into the sewer system. Wiping a pan clean of excess oil is recommended before washing it.
While a tablespoon per household each week may not sound like much, based on the number of households in the Crossville city limits, that would amount to about 75 fifty-five gallon drums of oil annually going into the sewer system, officials estimate.
Biodiesel is made from cooking oil, methanol and caustic soda. The refining process creates a by-product of blycerin, an ingredient in some soaps, which can also be sold to manufacturers.
"The biodiesel project will be a win-win situation on many fronts," Graham said. "It will benefit our businesses and residents and is another step in the city's continuing initiative to be as environmentally friendly as possible."
Hoover, Alabama, a city of about 75,000, has produced over 20,000 gallons of biodiesel since March 2007, officials said.
City officials will announce the startup time for the project and the collection process in the near future. For more information, contact the City of Crossville at 931-484-5113.
This biodiesel project will have many benefits for Crossville, TN.
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