Biodiesel/TLM                                                                        

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                                                                        Biodiesel, an alternative to diesel petroleum, is making a major impact in Boulder. 

                                                                        It’s a fuel made from vegetable oil, methanol, and lye.  Boulder Biodiesel operator

                                                                        Martin Stenflo says the benefits are numerous. 

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CG: Martin Stenflo / Boulder Biodiesel              “It absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than gets admitted at the tailpipe.  We’re reducing our impact on global warming.  It doesn’t contain sulfur so we’re not contributing to carcinogens that we’re dealing with diesel emissions.”

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                                                                        Last year, CU Biodiesel began using vegetable oil from the Alferd Packer Grill to fuel a buff bus.  The test run resulted in cleaner emissions and better engine performance.  CU transportation decided to run all 13 buses on at least partial biodiesel.  In order to meet the demand they turned to Bartkus Oil.

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Cherryl Swank / Bartkus Oil Employee         “We knew we had interest with the college and the city of                                                                    Boulder so we decided to give it a try."

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                                                                        Bartkus Oil became the first commercial biodiesel pump

                                                                        in Colorado.  They fuel CU and city buses, along with a Special

                                                                        Transit HOP bus.  In fact, anyone with a diesel vehicle can fuel up

                                                                        there. 

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CG: Cherryl Swank / Bartkus Oil Employee      “It’s been overwhelmingly

                                                                        successful.  I can’t believe the amount of

                                                                        interest and the people backing

it.  We have not had one negative comment on any of it.”

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And this may just be the beginning.  If the HOP has success, special transit may convert all of its vehicles to biodiesel.  That decision will be made by the transportation coordinator next year.

Tera Moody, Newsteam Boulder