Diesel fuel extraction, production, transportation, spills, and use create countless pathways of air, water and soil contamination. As a liquid, diesel fuel is a persistent pollutant toxic to aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and contaminates surface and ground waters. When used as a fuel some of the toxic particulates produced during combustion are known carcinogens. These carcinogenic and mutagenic particulates flow with storm water to streams impacting aquatic life including endangered salmon species. Every pound of diesel burned produces 22 lbs of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses. The size of diesel engines in use makes diesel exhaust a significant contributor to global climate change. Most restaurants in the Pacific NW are presently charged $20 to $40 per month to have their waste vegetable oil (WVO) picked up and disposed. This fee creates an incentive to dispose of the WVO in other ways. Many urban storm drains are plugged with grease which can introduce high biological oxygen demand in already stressed urban streams. This project proposes to address these problems in an innovative grass roots approach.
Small-scale biodiesel plants will be built, and with training, placed on farms, tribal lands, biodiesel cooperatives, and fleet operations. Biodiesel will be produced, displacing diesel fuel use and thereby reducing air, water and soil pollution. To ensure replication operators will reimburse costs allowing other sites to receive plants and training. Location(s) of Project: Western Washington State Physical description: Farms, Tribal lands, Local Biodiesel Cooperatives, Fleet operations. City(ies): Bellingham, Carnation, Poulsbo, Seattle, San Juan Island Solid Waste, Lummi Nation, Squamish Tribe.
More project details can be found in the project proposal (Acrobat PDF)
Bruce Barbour
Tel: 360-441-1793
Fax: 360-647-1234
E-mail:
Contact LEI: info@living-earth.org