Public Works Chief Saves Fuel with Biodiesel Program

The Borough is saving about 10% of its diesel fuel by using purified vegetable oil in some of its trucks, according to the superintendent of the Department of Public Works.

DPW Superintendent Guy Picone said that for about two years, the Borough has collected waste cooking oil for use in 14 DPW trucks.

The DPW takes the cooking oil, runs it through a centrifuge to remove any impurities and puts the byproduct into diesel fuel tanks. The cooking oil and the fuel oil are mixed at a 20-80 ratio.

Picone said only the older trucks in the Borough's fleet can take the cooking oil, since using it in the newer trucks will void their warranties.

The DPW collects the oil from local restaurants who donate it to the Borough.

While the fuel filters on the trucks that use the biodiesel need to be replaced more often, Picone said the benefits outweigh the cost.

Picone implemented the program while he was director of Fleet Maintenance, after hearing about neighboring towns employing similar programs.

"It's working very well," Picone said of the program. "Positive results."