(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- The use of biodiesel in school buses has been declared a great success by school district officials, the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition announced today.
In October 2002, funding was announced totaling more than $45,000 from the Kentucky Division of Energy to replace conventional diesel fuel with biodiesel blends. Four districts -- Campbell County, Kenton County, Marshall County and McLean County -- signed on at the beginning and are fueling over 300 school buses with biodiesel blends. Shelby and McCracken Counties will begin using a bio blend later this school year, and Hardin County already has begun.
The project also included funding for Murray State University, the East KY Power Co-op, Lake Barkley State Resort Park and Greenbo Lake State Resort Park to use biodiesel.
"We're observing the projects with a lot of interest," said Dave Mangum, a consultant with the Department of Education's Pupil Transportation Branch. "We're always looking for ways to improve the quality of students' transportation experience, and alternative fuels can be an excellent option."
Biodiesel is produced primarily from soybean oil or recycled restaurant oils. Biodiesel may be used in a pure form or as an additive, which is the method the school districts chose. Biodiesel is available through diesel fuel distributors, and the number of distributors handling biodiesel is growing steadily. A major benefit of the fuel is that it requires no engine modifications for use, as well as no modifications for storage. Biodiesel also is added directly to standard diesel fuel.
Melissa Howell, executive director of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, said biodiesel prices may eventually match the price of regular diesel, since it is the fastest-growing alternative fuel in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
"A two percent blend of biodiesel -- known as B2 -- is about three cents per gallon more than diesel," Howell said. "The blend used by school buses is a 20 percent blend -- B20 -- and is 19 to 25 cents more per gallon. School buses are an ideal niche market for biodiesel; however, we have a litany of fleets across Kentucky using the fuel as well."
Earl Melloy, superintendent of the McLean County School District, said the district was excited to pilot a program that could become an industry standard.
"This fuel blend is cleaner, provides greater engine lubricity, reduces harmful emissions and will greatly benefit students," Melloy said. "I believe the greater lubricity factor will enable our engines to run longer and also reduce maintenance costs."
Tom Bach, director of transportation for the Kenton County School District, said his overall experience with the biodiesel was very favorable.
"Fuel mileage was equal to regular diesel fuel, and we did not experience any problems with fuel filters clogging or performance problems. I like the use of biodiesel because it will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, stimulate the economy for Kentucky soybean farmers, reduce emissions and address some of the concerns raised by advocates of a safe environment for our students on the bus. The additional cost -- 15 cents per gallon for a 20 percent blend of biodiesel -- was the only disadvantage to using the fuel, and I suspect that tight budgets will prevent many districts from using biodiesel without grant funds. Kenton County is applying for additional funds so we can continue to use this alternative fuel."
Officials in both Hardin and Shelby Counties are eagerly anticipating their participation in the project.
"We are looking forward to testing it in our school buses because of its advantages of lessening diesel emissions, decreasing dependence on foreign oil and supporting a renewable energy source that is grown and produced locally," said Larry Fohl, director of transportation for the Hardin County School District.
"The Shelby County School District is interested in trying biodiesel because it's a win-win situation," said Superintendent Leon Mooneyhan. "It's good for our environment, and it's good for our agricultural economy."
Johnny Herndon, assistant director of transportation for Murray State University, said the switch to biodiesel has been 100 percent successful.
"We have been working with and looking for alternative fuels to use in our vehicles at Murray State University for a few years now," he said. "Our original goal was to find alternative fuels that would clean the environment and would come from renewable sources. We look forward to expanding on these programs in the future."
Earl Melloy believes that the demand for biodiesel will continue to rise.
"Once major production begins, there will be a greater demand for the product," he said. "Hopefully, the price will drop because of a greater supply, and then everyone can utilize this fuel product. The conservation of existing regular diesel fuel, when blended with biodiesel, will reduce our dependence on oil from other countries. It certainly aids Kentucky's agricultural economy, since biodiesel is produced on Kentucky farms and sold through Kentucky companies. I believe this program is a win-win for our district, our students, our farmers, our buses and our environment."
The Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition is a non-profit organization that coordinates alternative fuel projects across Kentucky. For more information, visit http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org.
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