FEMAP Foundation collaborates in Biodiesel Study

Location:
Friday, October 20th, 2006

Details:

The FEMAP Foundation was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the development and implementation of a feasibility study on developing a market for waste grease as an alternative fuel. The information gathered will add to the wealth of knowledge currently taking place across the U.S. in regions interested in developing markets for the use of biodiesel and lessen our nation?s dependence on traditional fuels.

?This proposal ties in to the EPA?s discussion on deployment of low-sulfur diesel fuels,? explains Victor Valenzuela, Project Coordinator. ?A feasibility study will be conducted on the willingness of waste grease generators such as restaurants, cafeterias, food processing plants and waste grease haulers to participate in providing waste grease for use as a diesel fuel alternative.?

The project will estimate the amount of grease generated in the Paso del Norte region by the various sources; report on the level of interest in bio-fuels; and develop a public outreach mechanism to promote the use of bio-fuels. Large-scale biodiesel manufacturers will be provided the results of this study to allow them to determine if sufficient waste grease is generated in the region to justify a financial investment in establishing biodiesel manufacturing plants. Data will also become available on the willingness of large-scale fleet operators in the public and private sectors to use biodisel.

FEMAP?s interest in environmental health and sanitation extends back to ECOTEC ? Brickmackers program. FEMAP began working with the brickmakers from Cd. Juarez nearly ten years ago to address the environmental and public health challenges that this industry faces. An estimated 500 households are involved in this activity as their primary means of income generation. The bricks are formed from local clays and fired in small ovens adjacent to the brickmakers? or ladrilleros? homes. Many of these ladrilleros relied on low-cost combustible materials, such as used tires, sawdust and trash to fire their ovens. Firings may last up to 24 hours and, as a result, large quantities of airborne particulates, inorganic contaminants and organic contaminants were released. These emissions posed a significant health threat to the brickmakers, their families and neighbors.

FEMAP, in partnership with the University of Texas at El Paso, New Mexico State University, Los Alamos National Lab, and El Paso Energy trained the brickmakers to construct more efficient kilns with new smoke abatement devices using cleaner-burning fuels.