Middletown Gets Greener with Biofuel at Public Works Yard

Public Works Director Lawrence Werger reports one employee was who operates a front-end loader operator who experiencing increased hunger due to a new aroma in the public works yard.

As part of the township's Green Initiative, Werger has launched a pilot program to reduce the township's fossil fuel consumption by mixing used cooking oil with diesel fuel to operate one of the department's eight front-end loaders. The use of cooking oil as a fuel supplement has reduced petroleum usage by 50% in the test equipment with a projected annual cost savings of $5,500 for the one machine.

"In 1892, Rudolph Diesel introduced a compression ignition engine specifically designed to operate on vegetable oil. A fossil fuel substitution was more economical at the time, but times have changed. As the cost of petroleum continues to rise, we find ourselves returning to Mr. Diesel's original concept." Werger said.

Middletown is one of the first municipalities in New Jersey to use biofuel as a way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Public Works has arranged the donation of used cooking oil with several local commercial vendors. The actual collection is conducted by the department's recycling personnel during their daily routine. Werger expects to expand the program in the future by involving more commercial vendors and pieces of municipal equipment.

"This program has the potential to save the township tens and perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars in the coming years as it is expanded to other machinery. Innovative techniques like this will have a direct impact on our budget by decreasing the amount of tax dollars needed for fuel, which will help ease the pressure on local property taxes caused by spiraling energy costs," said Deputy Mayor Pamela M. Brightbill.

Implementation of the biofuel pilot program is the latest development in the Middletown Township Green Initiative. The initiative, spearheaded by Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger, represents the township's commitment to find and implement ways to decrease money spent on energy, curb pollution and reduce reliance on foreign energy producers. Other recent green projects include introduction of the free Dock and Roll Shuttle last spring and restoration of native grasses at the Poricy Park Conservancy this summer. Meanwhile, the township continues to explore the possibility of retrofitting existing buildings with solar power, including solar energy in municipal building renovations, and introducing hybrid vehicles into the municipal fleet of vehicles.