NYC Moving Toward More Comprehensive BioDiesel Use
Jan 23rd, 2008 by Jervey
City Councilor David Yassky has a bill that is moving through City Council that would mandate heating oil sold in NYC be 20% BioDiesel by 2013. The mandate would be phased in over the next few years, and not only make the City’s energy use greener, it would also reduce the price of home heating oil. According to Yassky spokes person Sam Rockwell, both Speaker Quinn’s office and the Mayor’s office have been receptive to the proposal. And why wouldn’t they be? The current price of crude oil combine with a state tax credit for biodiesel purchases has made biodiesel cost competative. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Sanitation have had successful BioDiesel pilot programs. The proposal would fit in well with the Mayor’s PlaNYC ambissions, and in 2007 the Mayor initiated a program to require that 30% of the City’s heating oil purchases contain 5% biofuel.
Yassky’s bill will be reviewed at a City Council Environmental Protection Committee hearing this Thursday at 1:00pm.
Mr. Rockwell says there is plenty of BioDiesel available now to meet the demand a 20% requirement would create, its just not a standard offer from most suppliers. According to Yassky’s office NYC uses approximately 450M gallions of home heating oil a year. There are at least three significant producers of BioDiesel around NYC. Tristate BioDiesel, which collects used cooking oil from NYC’s restaurants. Fuelbio, in Elizabeth NJ, which produces 50 Million gallons a year, and which Mr. Rockwell says is ready to ramp up production at practically the flip of a switch. and Metrofuel whom Mr. Rockwell says is going through final approval to set up processing in Greenpoint (who says light industry in Brooklyn is dead?). Metrofuel reportedly will be able to supply 100 Million gallons a year. So getting to 20% of NYC total home use should not be any problem.
According the federal EPA BioDiesel use has a significant impact on reducing toxic emissions. Here are some emissions differences using a 20% BioDiesel mix relative to standard Diesel:
Total Unburned Hydrocarbons -20%
Carbon Monoxide -12%
Particulate Matter -12%
Sulfates -20%
Ozone potential of speciated HC -10%
This looks like an easy win for the politicians and NYC.
Originally from Front Page Posts at onNYTurf on January 22, 2008, 8:23pm