Buses fight pollution with soy fuel

Bloomington has taken another step toward cleaner air by test-running 10 buses on soy biodiesel.\nBloomington is the first city in Indiana to use soy biodiesel within the community's three major transportation organizations. The Monroe County School System, IU Transportation Department and the Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation began running "test busses" on soy biodiesel Dec. 1. \n"It's an exciting and promising alternative fuel," said Lew May, General Manager of Bloomington Public Transportation. "No expensive modifications are made to the buses and it makes sense to try biodiesel."\nBiodiesel is a cleaner-burning alternative fuel that is produced from domestic and renewable resources. The fuel has a 20 percent blend of soybean that releases fewer emissions into the air. Biodiesel is also easier on the engine compared with other fuels. \n"With as many buses as we have running in Bloomington, biodiesel is a great way to cut down on all the emissions that are dispersed into the air," said Jim Peterson, local director of the Indiana Soybean Board.\nThe 10 test buses will run in Bloomington for one year. After the year is complete, analysts will evaluate fuel efficiency and wear and tear on the engine. Biodiesel costs 20 to 25 cents more per gallon than traditional fuel, so even though biodiesel may be better for the environment, it may not be cost efficient.\nPeterson predicts a great outcome within the year.\n"After the one year, I believe that the majority of buses in Bloomington will switch to biodiesel." \nBloomington Mayor John Fernandez spoke at the press conference in support of buses adopting biodiesel fuel," Peterson said.\n"Not only are we doing something that folks emotionally would say 'Gee this is a good idea; we are going to use clean fuel and do things that are great for the environment' -- things we all care about -- but we are doing it in a way that's fiscally responsible," Fernandez said. \nThough biodiesel has many advantages, other alternatives for fuel such as electric, electric/hybrid and compressed natural gases, May said, have not been ruled out.\n"We will continue to evaluate other forms of gas," May said. \nStudents around campus will be able to identify the University buses running on biodiesel by the large place cards reading, "Clean, green, powerful bean."\n-- Contact staff writer Monica Dix at mcdix@indiana.edu.