What difference will using biodiesel at USM make?
Reducing hydrocarbons and particulates emissions means improving air quality and health benefits especially for sensitive groups such as children, asthmatics, and elderly people. Ozone and particulate matter are considered the worst types of air pollution in terms of public health, and so switching to biodiesel will mean a measurable reduction in localized air pollution of the worst kinds here at USM. Not only will we make a positive difference in our own environment here at USM, but we will also be acting in a responsible way to stop global climate change by making significant reductions in the primary greenhouse gas (GHG), carbon dioxide.
Biodiesel is taking off in many other parts of Maine and New England as well. So what may seem like just a drop in the bucket when taken by itself, becomes a virtual waterfall when taken together with all the other efforts to reduce emissions and conserve energy. For each gallon of diesel fuel there are 22.384 pounds of CO2 that is emitted into there atmosphere upon combustion in an engine. In the past few years USM's VIP diesel fleet has consumed roughly 20,000 gallons of diesel annually.
20, 000 gallons X 22.384 lbs CO2 /gallon = 447, 680 lbs CO2
Biodiesel is called "carbon-neutral" because as a renewable fuel it comes from plants which trap CO2 during photosynthesis. When biodiesel is burned, this CO2 is released thereby closing the circle. When calculating CO2 emissions reductions from switching from petrodiesel to B20 biodiesel, the figure that is most commonly used is 15% due to energy inputs from fossil fuels during the production and distribution of biodiesel. So,
447, 680 X 15% = 67, 152 lbs CO2
How much is 67,152 pounds of carbon dioxide? Assume that the average American drives 15,000 miles a year and burns 24 miles per gallon of petrol. This converts to 12227.5 lbs, or 611.4 tons of CO2 emissions in one year. So, emissions reductions due to switching biodiesel will result in the removal of 5.5 average American drivers (in terms of CO2 emissions) every year. Additionally beneficial, pedestrians on the sidewalk will breathe substantially less hazardous air pollution. The more people who understand this, the more impact we can have. The USM Biodiesel Initiative will work diligently with the Portland community and the entire state of Maine to see to it that the market for biodiesel becomes large-scale thereby displacing significant quantities of petroleum burned in the state.
To appreciate the absurdity of our society's current reliance on petroleum, consider that more energy is expended in drilling, refining and distributing petrodiesel than its actual worth! Biodiesel ("neat biodiesel" = 100% biodiesel) on the other hand is POSITIVE ENERGY.
A U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture full lifecycle emissions study found that for every unit of fossil energy needed to make biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are gained. In contrast, it takes 1.2 units of fossil resources to produce 1 unit of petroleum diesel. Biodiesel reduces emissions, and it is nontoxic, biodegradable and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel offers similar fuel economy, horsepower and torque to petroleum diesel while providing superior lubricity. It significantly reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons and sulfates. On a lifecycle basis, biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel (NBB and ASA).
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