New Jersey's first public biodiesel pump opens

Web exclusive posted Dec. 10, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. CST

Maplewood, N.J.-based Woolley Fuel Co. celebrated the grand opening of the state's first public retail biodiesel pump Dec. 5.

New Hampshire-based Sprague Energy is supplying B100 to Woolley Fuel. The biodiesel will be stored in a tank that was donated by New York-based Roth Industries. In addition, Indiana-based ThermoPride donated a furnace to heat the B100. The furnace will be powered by soy-based Bioheat heating oil.

A grand opening event featured local politicians and a biodiesel transport delivery, said Norman Woolley Jr., the company's vice president. Local elementary school students were also given the opportunity to participate in the festivities through a drawing contest. Prizes were awarded for the best drawing that depicted emissions reductions and reduced energy dependence.

Woolley said event was a success. Woolley Fuel has even drawn customers from New York. "I think ever since we have been listed on biodiesel.org, we've seen an increase in business," he said.

Woolley Fuels is currently offering B5. However, due to the fact that the company is blending on-site, it's possible that other blends could be offered in the future. "It's just a question of testing everything out, and what the consumer asks for," Woolley said. "We're able to change the blend." Woolley Fuels is also a supplier of Bioheat home heating oil.

Although his company is seeing more interest from consumers, Woolley said it was municipalities who originally drove demand for biodiesel. New Jersey's Biodiesel Fuel Rebate Program provides rebates to local government entities for the price-per-gallon difference between biodiesel and petroleum diesel. The rebates are available to municipalities, counties, school boards and colleges. Woolley Fuels is currently supplying biodiesel to Maplewood's city bus fleet on a test basis; if successful, it will supply the fuel for all city vehicles.