You Put Soybeans In The Tank
Seattlest met some guy over the summer who wanted to talk about the biodiesel operation he was planning in Georgetown. There was a warehouse and a giant vat and honestly Seattlest was only so interested at the time. Seattlest sometimes has interesting opinions on what's interesting and what's not when Seattlest is drinking. The truth is that biodiesel in Seattle is interesting, and the big yellow billboards (pictured) driving around downtown are doing a good job of bringing vegetable-based fuels into Seattle's conciousness, even if they are only a tiny fraction of the fleet.
In addition to the Metro program there are many smaller biodiesel providers in the city that are working towards getting you to put their product in your Jetta. The "bioneers" at Seattle Biodiesel claim they will be able to distribute the fuel in the Spring. No word on when they'll hire copy writers or branders. However, if you thought that Seattle Biodiesel was homespun, Seattlest would like to introduce you to Dr. Dan's Alternative Fuel Werks.
Here is the website of Metro's biodiesel program where you can watch a video in Windows Media or Real format. Seattlest notices that despite his recent green-speak the mayor does not make an appearance in the video.
From the Seattle City Light site:
Seattle City Light is helping pay for the cost of biodiesel in local transportation fleets using trucks, buses, garbage trucks, and ferries. Partnering with these large users of petroleum fuels leverages Seattle City Light's greenhouse gas mitigation efforts by helping to build demand for biodiesel. As demand builds, local production will increase and the price will go down as availability increases. This will encourage more widespread use. We'll get cleaner air and increased opportunities in rural communities where vegetable oil producing crops are grown. Through biodiesel programs like these, and other programs such as shore-side power for cruise ships, City Light intends to offset the equivalent of 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year starting in 2005.
Also see a great Puget Sound Business Journal article about biodiesel and a local entrepreneur.
