Cornell projects in New York City will assess biofuels' availability
and viability for everyday uses

July 19, 2005

Media contact: Nicola Pytell
Office: (607) 255-6074
E-mail: nwp2@cornell.edu

NEW YORK -- Two biofuel projects coordinated by Cornell Cooperative
Extension (CCE) with support from the Northeast SUN Grant Center for
Excellence at Cornell University will begin this summer in New York
City. Their goal? A real-world assessment of the viability of
biofuels both as a readily available resource and as a replacement
fuel for heating buildings and powering diesel vehicles.

"The New York City projects are exciting examples of Cornell
University's commitment to the environment and sustainable
development," said John Nettleton, senior extension associate with
the CCE.

The first project is a survey that will begin in July. Student
interns from Columbia University will canvass Brooklyn neighborhoods
to assess how much waste oil is available that could potentially be
converted for use as fuel. Brooklyn was deemed an ideal place for
this initial study, as it is an area rich with both restaurants and
food processors -- all of which use oils that must be discarded after
use.

Dovetailing with this survey is a demonstration project by Cornell in
New York City beginning in the heating season. With funding from the
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority through
November 2006, boilers within a select group of apartment buildings
will be operated solely on a biofuel known as B20 -- 20 percent plant
product and 80 percent No. 2 heating oil. Maintenance staff,
superintendents and owners will share their experience with building
trade groups, cooperatives and others in the housing industry
throughout New York state in using a cleaner fuel that incorporates
U.S.-produced soybean and seed oils.

These projects, researchers say, hold the promise of increased
markets for domestic crops, new opportunities for extension education
and use of cleaner-burning fuel for heating apartments and homes that
supports a new "green" industry. The results of both projects will
also lead to further Cornell research into the viability of biofuel
as an alternative to petroleum-based fuels.

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o Sun Grant Center: http://www.nesungrant.cornell.edu

o National Biodiesel Board: http://www.nbb.org
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The web version of this story is available at

http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/July05/Biofuel_NYC.nwp.html
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