Julia Roberts Gets On The Bus
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI 
on 07.24.06
The biodiesel-fueled bus that is. The pretty woman will be helping biodiesel producer Earth Biofuels promote a program to encourage the use of biodiesel in more than 500,000 diesel school buses nationwide. A recent addition to the Earth Biofuels board of directors, Ms. Roberts will serve as a spokesperson for the eco-fuel. ''It's very important that we expand our use of clean energy and make a long-term commitment to it. Biodiesel and ethanol are better for the environment and for the air we breathe,'' Roberts said in an announcement about her new role. She will be joining current Earth Biofuels celeb board members Willie Nelson and Morgan Freeman. ::Via Hugg Photo from Vanity Fair
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I'm sure it would be easier for schools to justify paying extra for biodiesel if they weren't already strapped for cash because of federal education budget cuts (among other things). I'm as treehugger as the next guy, but I'd much rather see schools spend what little money they DO have on educating their students.
What would you have to do to convert your car to use this type of fuel?
Renee> For Biodiesel I believe you just need a car/truck that runs on regular diesel. There is no fancy equipment or conversion needed like you'd need to run SVO (straight vegetable oil).
I'm sure I'll get corrected if I'm wrong though.
DarkStar is correct.
Any diesel engine can run 100% biodiesel w/o problems.
+ running Biodiesel in a diesel engine produces 90% less polution than petroleum bases diesel!
Although on some older diesel engines (like what may be on some of the buses), some fuel lines need to be replaced as biodiesel is an astringent (cleaner).
Added Note: Biodiesel (even 100% bio) is now price competive with petroleum diesel.
Current Retail petroleum diesel cost at the pump: $2.99 / gallon
Current Retail 100% Biodiesel cost at the pump:
$2.99 / gallon
I have a car running on straight vegetable oil (SVO). It is true that you do not have to modify a newer diesel vechicle to run it on 100% biodiesel, but if you live in a cold climate (like me near Chicago) then you need to worry about the biodiesel gelling when the temp drops below 40 degress (F). Most folks mix biodiesel with petro diesel in the winter.
I have modified my car to heat the veggy oil (soybean), but you have to start the car on diesel and warm up the engine and SVO before switching over to SVO. Then you must switch back to diesel before you turn off the car - so you'll be able to start up the next time...
Peace, out...