Biodiesel Fuels Airport Crews, Saves Money

By: Scott Mauldin/NBC 13 | Alabama's13.com
Published: May 09, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala – Many businesses which rely on diesel powered engines are turning to biodiesel and suddenly saving money with prices for regular diesel well above $4 a gallon in most areas.

Crews on the ground at the Birmingham International Airport are running green, with cleaner burning and now cheaper biodiesel used in heavy equipment. More than 25% of the vehicle fleet uses the alternative fuel.

“A lot of our heavy equipment uses biodiesel. A lot of regular vehicles use it, like parking shuttles. We also have tractors, dump trucks that do a lot of cutting grass on the airfield," said Toni Herrera-Bast, an airport spokesperson.

Birmingham’s airport was the first in the state to use biodiesel. The alternative fuel is made from vegetable oil or animal fat. Used cooking grease is another major source.

“The biodiesel program started in 2005 and the main reason we implemented the program was for cleaner air," said Herrera-Bast.

Now, with fuel prices rising, the airport is saving 65-cents a gallon on more affordable, cleaner burning biodiesel.