Earth Week draws MTSU students to alternative fuels

Earth Week draws MTSU students to alternative fuels

Car runs on biodiesel made of vegetable oil

By ERIN EDGEMON
edgemon@dnj.com

A group of laid-back MTSU students sat out on the green grass near the Keathley University Center this week spreading a little bit of knowledge and stirring up interest about the importance of taking care of the planet.

Celebrating Earth Week at the largest undergraduate university in the state, members of Students for Environmental Action set up a humble table on the grassy knoll with brochures and facts about the state of Tennessee's air and natural resources.

"I think a lot of our students don't know about this," said Reggie Miller, MTSU sophomore, regarding actions they can take to improve the environment. "It is a great way to outreach."

SEA member Brandon Armstrong said the group wants to inform the student body on the environmental problems that exist, especially in the South, "so we can invest in a cleaner and healthier future."

"We want MTSU to be a leader in responsibility and sustainability," he said.

Sitting atop a green Volkswagen Jetta positioned on the knoll, Armstrong explained how the small car runs on biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil.

He said all cars with diesel engines can run on biodiesel without any modifications.

Armstrong's friend, Peter Speltz, drives the car every day. Speltz bought the car at a regular used car lot about a year ago. He even makes his own fuel at home.

Biodiesel can be purchased at select farm supply stores or made at home using used vegetable oil from restaurants, methane and lyre. It costs 70 cents a gallon, while petroleum-based diesel costs about $2.50 a gallon.

"The emissions are almost nothing," Armstrong said. The net carbon dioxide emission is zero because what is emitted is produced by vegetable oil-producing plants.

Additionally, biodiesel vehicles are fuel efficient. They get an estimated 56 miles per gallon.

"It saves money," Armstrong said. "It saves limited resources." It also makes the country less dependent on foreign oil.

He said biodiesel vehicles are becoming more popular. The university even has a newly formed MTSU Biodiesel Club.

MTSU junior Amy Pickering said she has always been interested in learning more about alternative fuels. Being more passive, Pickering said it is great when she sees people actually using alternative fuels.

"It is the information sharing that I think is the most important part," she said.

For those looking for an easier way to conserve energy, Armstrong suggested turning off lights when not using them and walking or riding a bike whenever possible.

The group also wanted to educate students on mountain top removal — when the tops of mountains are blown off to allow for the extraction of coal. Air pollution and climate changes also are the result of burning fossil fuels.

According the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Tennessee Valley Authority's Cumberland Plant was No. 1 in the nation for creating ozone causing gas and No. 7 for the global warming causing gas, carbon dioxide.