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The production of biodiesel fuels could make energy a legitimate source of revenue for Arkansas farmers and foresters. The state plays host to two biodiesel producing plants: Patriot BioFuels in Stuttgart and Viceroy in Batesville. However, the fuel can be obtained in 15 counties in Arkansas, mostly in the eastern part of the state, according to the Arkansas Farm Bureau. “Biodiesel is really a blend of diesel fuels,” said Sayeed Mehmood, assistant professor of forestry economics and policy. “The bio part is oil from vegetables. It’s about 80 percent diesel and 20 percent vegetable oils.” The domestically produced fuel comes from renewable resources, burns clean and contains no petroleum. It can be mixed with any level of petroleum diesel to create biodiesel. It’s biodegradable, nontoxic and basically free of sulfur and aromatics. "The main customers for biodiesel fuels have been farmers and those in the agriculture industry,” Mehmood said. “The sticker price may not look cheap, but farmers have other programs to cover part of the cost.” The fuel provides an opportunity for farmers to generate interest in the crops they harvest through on-farm use, according to biodiesel.org. Farmers' preference of biodiesel remains evident in their major investments in the product. As the only alternative fuel to completely pass the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act, biodiesel maintains its share of environment-friendly characteristics. Using the fuel in a conventional diesel engine results in a significant reduction of unburned hydrocarbons. “Out traditional fuels have been very
pollutant,” Mehmood said. “This is a step in the right direction” Mehmood said if biodiesel takes off, prices for it would go down, and it would create new jobs in Arkansas. Have a comment? Please e-mail us. ŠThe Voice 2006 Revised 09/13/2006 11:05:03 PM— http://www.uamont.edu/Organizations/TheVoice/4_4/biodiesel.htm |
