Enterprise wins biodiesel grant

Mayor Kenneth Boswell and Public Works Director Jimmy Kilgore discuss plans for cooking oil collection at last month's biodiesel meeting. Samples of biofuel blends are on display behind them.

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Published: September 19, 2008

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Governor Bob Riley awarded the City of Enterprise a $200,000 grant this week to help pay for a facility to convert cooking oil into biodiesel fuel for the city’s vehicles.

Auburn University’s Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts will assist with the process of the producing the fuel which can then be used to power Enterprise’s 220-vehicle fleet and diesel equipment for less than $1 per gallon. Biodiesel is a non-petroleum-based fuel made by chemically altering vegetable oil, which can then be used alone, or blended with conventional diesel, in diesel-engine vehicles.

Public Works Director Jimmy Kilgore said the city will follow through with plans to collect used cooking oil, supplied mainly by local restaurants and possibly individual residents, and process it into a 20 percent biodiesel blend.

“There’s a lot to do. We’ve got to look at municipal rules and regulations, work up specifications and open up bidding,” said Kilgore, who hopes to have the facility running in less than a year. “We’ll be busy updating the filters on these vehicles so they’re up to speed. But it’s a good challenge and I’m enjoying it.”

Mayor Kenneth Boswell, who had expected the city to receive the grant, saw a low turnout last month when he called restaurant owners to a special meeting to discuss the oil collection plan. Kilgore said more people have since come on board with the project after realizing it would eliminate costs for having the used oil hauled away and for clearing out grease traps.

“I had 650 gallons delivered by an Enterprise resident just yesterday,” said Kilgore. “It should give them some pride to know they’re benefitting the city. When we reduce our costs, it will decrease theirs.”

Other grants totaling $900,000 were awarded to Bay Minette, Fultondale, Henry County, Lee County and Tuscaloosa, each of which will work with a state university on biofuel or alternative energy projects. The results will hopefully inspire other governments to replicate the technology, reducing fuel and energy costs and building revenue, according to a press release from Riley’s office announcing the grants.

“Innovative approaches are needed to make our nation energy independent and to free us from our dependence on foreign oil,” Riley said in the release. “By generating alternative energy from renewable sources, these projects will serve as an example that other governments may follow to cut energy costs and stretch taxpayer dollars.”

The grants, which were awarded from the Alabama Research Alliance Trust Fund, are being administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. According to the governor’s press release, interest earned from the $10 million trust fund is used to support alternative energy research in Alabama.