Posted: Friday August 1, 2008, at 4.45 p.m.

The Westfield School District is using new technology to help cut its fuel costs. So far it's working, the district is now saving more than $3.00/gallon.

(Sound of gas pumping) This used to be the sound of cash flowing out of your wallet, but not in Westfield, it's now the sound of savings. With the help of a grant, the school district purchased a biodiesel system which allows it to make and use its own fuel. Scott Petersen is the district's Transportation Director and says, " We average 56,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year and our last year's budget was $194,000, which is $67,000 over what was budgeted. That's a 59% fuel increase that we experienced."

The biodiesel system produces 200 gallons a week, at $1.15/ gallon instead of $4.59/gallon, and will be used in most of the 25 bus fleet. This summer the district used the alternative fuel in three of its buses and has already recouped its out-of-pocket costs. Petersen says, "So far I would estimate about $2500 we saved in fuel because we haven't really had to buy any petroleum based diesel products except for the 2% blend we add in for mold inhibitor." Plus, biodiesel reduces pollutants by 60% and improves fuel efficiency.

Robert Arevalo owns a sandwich shop in town and is one of several businesses donating used cooking oil to the district, saving him $80 a month in disposal fees and saving the district from having to buy oil. Arevalo says, "We donate it to them in light of helping them get the project off and running.''

A project that will also be part of the district's curriculum for the agriculture business department who will virtually make the fuel that powers their buses and keeps the district from going to voters with referendums. Petersen says, "You still got to get the kids to school, no matter what and we don't want to cut activity busses or cut programs." And with projected savings, they likely won't have to. Petersen says, "I'm anticipating between $20,000 and $40,000 savings."

The school is looking into buying a larger system which would allow it to produce about 200 gallons a day. That is a cost which would likely be recouped by the end of the school year.

Most school districts in the state do not own their own school buses, but rather contract with another company, which does prevent them from being able to take advantage of this same process.