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It's Getting Easy to Be Green

"I'll never buy another gas car again," declared Blake Armstrong, 22, owner of a 1984 Mercedes 300 SD that he converted from diesel to running on waste vegetable oil. Armstrong is a lifelong resident of Lattingtown, now employed as a professional mechanic for a Nissan dealership. He first heard about the possibility of such a fuel conversion on the Internet about a year ago, and began to investigate the procedure required. "The car now has two fuel tanks - one for diesel, which you need to start and warm up the car, and the other tank contains the used cooking oil. I installed a filter for the vegetable oil and two valves. One valve cuts the diesel fuel off and the other turns the oil on. The whole job took a day and a half." When asked where one gets used vegetable oil in quantities required to run a car, Armstrong said restaurants are happy to give away their used cooking oil, as they must pay to have waste oil properly disposed. His next project is to convert his 2006 Ford F250 truck to run on oil. The conversion can only be done on diesel engines, and it does not affect the car's performance. He explained, "I got all the information and parts I needed to complete this project over the Internet. There are many sites you can go to. Just do a search for 'engine conversion vegetable oil.'" Armstrong said that making the change is a win-win proposition; the fuel is free and the emissions are much better for the environment.
It's getting easier to be green with each passing week, as State and local governments create initiatives encouraging everyone to make changes that will positively affect the environment. Governor Spitzer announced this week that he has approved major changes to State guidelines for developers of affordable housing. In order for the developers to become eligible for low-income housing tax credits, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal "will now require inclusion of 'green' elements in all funded projects. Progressive measures such as Energy Star appliances, light fixtures and heating systems, lead-safe work practices, water conserving fixtures and daylight sensors or timers on outdoor light are now mandatory." Spitzer stated, "It will encourage smart growth and energy efficiency, while also helping us achieve our goals: lowering energy consumption by 15% by 2015; preserving and rehabilitating affordable housing; and revitalizing upstate communities." ...continued from page 3
Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi signed a declaration, along with ten other counties in the nation, promising to reduce harmful global warming emissions by 80% by 2050. Suozzi stated, "As we wait for Washington to act, local governments must take immediate action to address global warming. Nassau County, with its many coastal communities, is particularly vulnerable to climate change." In July, he kicked off the Green Levittown campaign, sending teams of canvassers door-to-door in that community, bringing news and advice about energy - and money-saving programs, products, services and subsidies. As part of the same program, Suozzi announced the first of fifty Levittown residents to receive Intellidyne controls that reduce fuel consumption by 10%. This is an inexpensive controller that works with an oil or gas burner and modifies the burner cycle to use less fuel without compromising performance or comfort.
A spokesperson for Supervisor John Venditto's office in Oyster Bay Township, enumerated a number of "green" initiatives begun by his administration, to include a law compelling builders to comply with the NYS Energy Star labeled homes program; enforcement of an anti-idling rule for all Town vehicles; mandatory recycling in all Town offices; and in June, Oyster Bay was the first Township in Nassau County to sign onto the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, committing to reducing the Town's greenhouse gasses to 7% below 1990 levels by the year 2012. Many Town vehicles are now hybrids, and their cars are using bio-diesel fuel and recycled motor oil.

 

by Chris Roberts