host posted on June 09, 2009 11:06
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
By Jennifer Dailey
jdailey@sjnewsco.com
PENNSVILLE TWP. Legislators and local officials gathered here Monday at an Exxon gas station for the grand opening of the first retail pump to distribute biodiesel fuel in South Jersey.
"I think this is a wonderful thing. It has to be done. Renewable fuel is the way to the future," said Robert Griscom, vice president of operations at Ross Enterprises.
Ross Enterprises replaced the old diesel pump at the Pennsville Exxon on Route 49 with the new B5 biodiesel fuel. The fuel will also be available at the Vineland Shell gas station on Wheat and Main roads in Vineland, Pearl Street Gulf on Pearl Street in Bridgeton and Five Points Exxon at the intersection of Routes 41 and 47 in Washington Township.
The company has tested the fuel on its own fleet of trucks. The product has resulted in roughly a half mile of better fuel economy, officials said. While this may not seem like a lot, some trucks only get six miles per gallon, making it a significant impact, officials said.
The fuel is strictly made from soy-based products.
Steve McCracken, a brand marketing manager with AmeriGreen, said while biodiesel is a simple concept, it will have significant impacts.
Biodiesel fuels can range from B5 to B20. The company chose to start with B5 so all manufacturers could use the product. By using B5, this means the fuel contains 5 percent biodiesel fuel.
"It's a major initiative. While starting off with 5 percent seems small, it's pretty significant. We are taking steps forward and in the grand scheme of things, it will make a significant impact," said McCracken.
Biodiesel is the fastest-growing alternative fuel at the present time. It substantially reduces carbon emissions, according to officials, who also consider the product to be at the forefront of strategies to reduce greenhouse gases and create alternative means of energy that will help decrease dependence on foreign oil.
State Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher applauded Ross Enterprises for being the trailblazer in the effort to bring biodiesel to South Jersey.
"This is a win-win situation in that it's great for the environment and will also help the farmers in the community," said Fisher.
Ross Enterprises has tested the fuel with South Jersey Transportation Co. Inc. and busing agent B.R. Williams, Inc., both of which are major companies in South Jersey.
Eric DeGesero, executive vice president of Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey, was also on hand to speak at the grand opening. He said the use of biodiesel will prove to be beneficial to both local small businesses and local farmers.
Griscom said the price of the biodiesel fuel will start off at $2.39 a gallon, which is the same as the current price of diesel.
"Today is a step and every long journey begins with a first step," said Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli.