01/22/07 Biodiesel workshop

There's a workshop on January 31st that's going to focus on biodiesel production. As part of the Harvesting Clean Energy Conference the University of Idaho is conducting a one day workshop in Garden City. VAN GERPIN "From growing oilseeds and how that's done and what farmers need to know about that through to processing the seeds and then converting it to biodiesel and then actually using the biodiesel." U of I's Jon Van Gerpin says biodiesel burns cleaner and has better lubricating qualities than today's diesel fuel. VAN GERPIN "They tend to cause extra wear in the fuel injection system so those fuels have to have some sort of an additive to restore the lubricity, the lubricating property. With just as little as two percent biodiesel in the regular diesel fuel you can restore all of that lubricating ability for the fuel." The University of Idaho has been deeply involved in biodiesel research for decades whether its canola, rapeseed or mustard. VAN GERPIN "You know we can even add to that things like tallow that comes from beef operations, restaurant frying oils, things like that can be put into biodiesel." "Biodiesel in the Northwest," January 31st in Garden City and the Harvesting Clean Energy Conference that precedes it. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott