Saraland Switches to Biodiesel

The city of Saraland is changing the way it fills up, but not just to avoid the cost of high gas prices. Saraland is the first city in Mobile County that will use alternative fuel in public work trucks. This alternative fuel source all starts with a bean.

Keith Fordham, the Director of Clean Cities of Lower Alabama says, "The biodiesel that is being used here is being produced from soybeans. The fuel is being produced domestically in the Midwest and it is being brought in and blended with petroleum diesel at an 80% to 20% ratio."

Fordham also says this bio diesel can help improve the air we breath.
"Biodiesel fuel burns cleaner, it will have an impact on air quality."

Saraland Mayor, Ken Williams says there are other positive impacts. "It even runs quieter, and it's going to cut the maintenance down, and if that is good, that will make the mechanic happy."

Biodiesel may be green, but will it save the city any green? Fordham says, "The cost of biodiesel runs just about parallel to the cost of petroleum based diesel." But Rich Blow, with Merritt Oil Company, says he has real proof this fuel lasts longer.
"My 18-wheelers went to about five and a half miles to the gallon to about six miles to the gallon. My three quarter ton work trucks, went from about seventeen miles to the gallon to in excess of twenty miles to the gallon."

Keith Fordham hopes this biodiesel program will grow to include fueling Saraland's Fire Department and school bus fleet.