What is it about biodiesel?
Maybe you have heard of biodiesel and maybe you have not. Biodiesel itself is simple - it's vegetable oil! - but the reasons it is such a good choice for USM are not as straight forward. Here is a list of facts about or related to biodiesel.
☼ Studies have shown that in comparison to petrodiesel, 100% biodiesel (B100) produces 63% less unburned hydrocarbons, 47% less carbon monoxide, 48% less particulate matter, 100% less sulfates, and 90% less polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs. B100 is high in nitrogen however and releases about 10% more NOx (NO and NO2) than petrodiesel, but studies also indicate that NOx emissions from biodiesel can be reduced (2002 EPA Review).
☼ Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) cause cancer.
☼ There are numerous commercial possibilities for biodiesel production in Maine. Canola, or rapeseed, is a versatile plant that is currently grown in cold climates like Sweden and Minnesota as well as had hot, arid Africa for biodiesel production. Waste fryer oil can be used to produce biodiesel too! (Maine DEP)
☼ In comparison to petrodiesel, B20 produces at least 20% less unburned hydrocarbons, 12% less carbon monoxide, 12% less particulate matter, 20% less sulfates, and 50% less PAHs and nitro-PAHs. B20 produces 2% more NOx emissions than petrodiesel, but studies also indicate that NOx emissions from biodiesel can be reduced (2002 EPA Review).
☼ Today's average diesel vehicle emits nearly 1000 pounds of smog forming pollution and 50 pounds of toxic soot each year.
☼ Diesel emissions are a known cause of lung cancer, acute exposure-related symptoms, and chronic exposure noncancer respiratory effects (Environmental Protection Agency). Other health studies finding a link between diesel exhaust and public health have been done by the Harvard School of Public Health, the Health Effects Institute of Atlanta, and John Hopkins University's School of Hygiene and Public Health.
☼ In February 2001 former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman approved a plan that will reduce emissions from new diesel vehicles by requiring the use of high-tech pollution control devices and ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.
☼ Ultra-low-sulfur diesel has 97% of the sulfur removed. Removing sulfur from diesel will have health and environmental benefits, but indirectly may not result in significant improvements since removing sulfur from petrodiesel is extremely energy intensive. As a result of intensive refining, even "green" diesel (i.e. ultra-low-sulfur petrodiesel) is more polluting and less efficient than gasoline (Union of Concerned Scientists) and (Nature).
☼ Over half of the oil consumed in the United States is imported.
☼ 100% biodiesel is a sustainable, closed-loop (both biodegradable and carbon-neutral) renewable fuel that is produced in the U.S. Since it comes from plants, it can be thought of as liquid solar energy. Not including the energy that goes into the system to produce biodiesel, the fuel itself has no net carbon emissions. This is because the carbon that is emitted is directly reabsorbed in the process of growing the plants that make the biodiesel. Including the full life-cycle of biodiesel, there are 78% reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.
☼ In some ways diesel engines are superior internal combustion engines because they live longer and newer engines especially burn fuel more efficiently when they are well-maintained. Indeed, diesel fuel does go farther per gallon, but even so the cleanest petrodiesel around is still more polluting than gasoline. Biodiesel is different though - biodiesel is more fuel efficient, cleaner burning, and more sustainable than any fossil fuel. The first diesel engines ran on peanut oil - Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, actually espoused the environmental benefits of biodiesel!
☼ B100 does not perform well in freezing temperatures because it gels, but B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% petrodiesel) is suitable for subzero weather.
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