A biodiesel terminal in Port Chester is having its grand opening tomorrow.
Westmore Biofuel Terminal, run by Westmore Fuel Company Inc., will open its doors on Purdy Avenue in the village. The terminal, which provides integration of biodiesel into both on-road diesel and heating oil, was funded with help from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the National Biodiesel Foundation.
Biodiesel is made from various products, using leftover corn feed. Trash, waste and grease all help make up biodiesel.
“It’s a much cleaner fuel,” Julie Migliacci, director of development and communications for the New York City and Lower Hudson Valley Clean Communities Inc., said. “You can eat it if you choose. It”™s mixed in with traditional diesel, and engines can run off of it.”
The state-of-the-art facility will service New York and Connecticut, and its location by water will mean it can use water for fuel as well.
“I don”™t know of any other fueling terminal like that,” Migliacci said. “It’s easily accessible and you can custom blend whatever you need.”
Migliacci said that biodiesel is a great use for transportation, particularly for truck drivers, who can save money since it is cheaper to run than diesel. She said the terminal will be a huge asset to the area and help improve air quality.
“Everyone is concerned about that,” Migliacci said. “Biodiesel is made in the US and it’s not going away. It’s very important for people and this region. With the continued acceptance and education of biofuel, people might start making different choices and driving the market.”
