UDOT Experiments with Making Own Biodiesel from Scratch

None by KCPW

Biofuel Plants to Grow Along I-15

(KCPW News) Later this summer, look for safflower, flax and canola flowers to pop up along Utah highways. The Utah Department of Transportation is experimenting with the oil-producing flowers in a "green effort" that may be the first of its kind in the nation:

"We predict that if everything works out just right, we could take a mile of our right of way and generate about 500 gallons of biodiesel per year," says UDOT Director John Njord. "Now that's pretty darn significant when you consider we have thousands of miles of right-of-way within our state."

Njord says some of the department's trucks have begun running on biodiesel. The entire UDOT fleet burns about $1.5 million gallons of diesel a year. Conservatively, Njord says growing safflower, flax and other biofuel plants along state highways could convert the entire fleet to cleaner-burning biodiesel.

Scientists and students from Utah State University planted the first safflower seeds along I-15 near Farmington today. Supervising professor Ralph Whitesides says the project will also change the view along the road:

"Safflower is a very sticky, bristly plant. Canola growns maybe 18 to 20 inches tall and will flower," says Whitesides. "At certain times of the year this could look very nice along here. Later in the year all of it will turn fairly yellow as it's mature and we're getting ready to harvest."

Whitesides says the biggest unanswered question is whether safflower, flax and canola can flourish in the most arid parts of the state. Three test areas are being planted for a one-year pilot. Utah State University will oversee the crops and conversion to biodiesel with a $50,000 grant from UDOT.

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