Region discovers new opportunities through alternative energy (Pittsburgh, PA)

[jpak]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06344/744794-28.stm

When Charles Cross learned about biodiesel, he was skeptical. His firm -- North Side-based United Oil Co. -- had been successfully producing industrial lubricants since 1906 and his initial research suggested that producing biodiesel would require a major retooling of the plant.

But when the United Oil president discovered it would not take as large a capital investment as he thought, the company took the plunge last December and began producing fuel made primarily from animal fats. In its first year as a biodiesel producer, the company saw its overall sales triple, leading Mr. Cross to increase annual production capacity to 5 million from 1.5 million gallons and hire two employees, boosting his work force to six.

<snip>

"There's no other city that is as positioned for a sustainable renaissance as Pittsburgh," said Nathaniel L. S. Doyno, executive director of Steel City Biofuels, a nonprofit organization formed last year by a trio of twentysomethings who share a passion for preserving the environment.

"Pittsburgh has all the things you need," he said: research universities, charitable foundations with an interest in alternative energy, affordable housing and brownfields that have and can become manufacturing sites.

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[bananas]

1. This might upset the Hindus. nt

[kestrel91316]

2. And the vegans................and PETA.

[Reterr]

3. Why?

I didn;t see anything in the article that would :shrug:

[bananas]

4. "fuel made primarily from animal fats" nt