Published Wednesday, May 23, 2001, in the San Jose Mercury News

California briefs

SPARKS, Nev.

Recycled cooking oil goes on sale as fuel

Bio-diesel fuel made from recycled cooking oils at casino hotels and restaurants went on sale Tuesday in Nevada, the first public-access fueling station in the nation to offer the biodegradable fuel that reduces emissions.

Western Energetix Cardlock, a Reno-based division of Berry-Hinkley Industries, began offering the fuel at a station in Sparks just south of Interstate 80. Other fuel stations in California were to follow suit today.

The Las Vegas-based Biodiesel Industries developed a process to make the bio-diesel fuel from waste cooking oils with the help of state and federal grants.

Backers of the yellow fuel say it replaces black, sooty exhaust with a lighter exhaust that smells like french fries. [OG Note: Oh, no! Can you imagine following behind a vehicle for a long period of time--in Texas, say, where you might drive a hundred miles and not see anywhere to eat? Where are the Health Nazis when you need them? Surely they won't allow this.]

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001