Biodiesel fuel stars in Bently plant open house

As an owner of a diesel truck, Mark Joncas, of Gardnerville is joining many Americans in a search for a more efficient fuel source.

He may have found his answer in biodiesel.

"The fact that the plant runs on solar power and the recycling of the restaurant oil is really cool to me," he said. "Waste oil is mixed with chemicals and a fertilizer material results so everything goes back to the earth."

Joncas was one of more than 700 people to learn about the new fuel at Bently Biofuels' open house Saturday.

"It went really great," said Carlo Luri, general manager of Bently Biofuels Co. "It was supposed to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but we got our first early birds at 8:50. I finished my last lecture at 4:45.

"Mr. Bently likes the educational part of it. He was pretty excited about the turnout," referring to Don Bently, company founder.

Joyce Hughes of Minden came to Saturday's tour and lecture with her son and daughter-in-law.

"I can't see how the pieces are going to fit together the way fuel is being controlled," Hughes said. "Today I was made to realize that biodiesel is recyclable. It makes me decide what to buy for my next car. (Bently reps) answered questions, and they did a good job of explaining everything."

Luri spoke in the auditorium in the Bently Pressurized Bearing building and said he tried to tailor his speech to the audience and not be too technical.

"I raise up the American flag and say that biodiesel is made in the U.S.A.," he said. "We can reduce our dependency on foreign fuel, and it keeps money in the local economy. It's a win-win for everybody."

He also touted biodiesel's benefits, including that it burns more efficiently.

"It's renewable - made from agricultural and recycled feed stocks and used cooking oil," he said. "It's our responsibility to be more energy efficient - to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles and get rid of those SUVs."

Dee Harris of Gardnerville said, "It sounds like a great idea for the whole valley and environment. There has to be an answer to petroleum fuel running out."

Mike Beteag, Bently lab operations manager, explained the lab's testing facilities.

"It's amazing how many start-up companies are getting involved with biodiesel," he said. "We help test and calibrate for small, independent companies getting involved with biodiesel production - garage operations, people using it for hobbies and for their own consumption."

Beteag used biodiesel fuel in his riding tractor to mow his lawn.

"I burned it myself and didn't see any decrease in efficiency." he said.

But Luri cautioned "setting up a service station is not the easiest thing in the world."

Information

A few five-gallon containers of biodiesel are available for $25.

These containers can be refilled for $3.50 per gallon.

Bently Biofuels Co.:

bentlybiofuels.com

General information:

783-0123 or biodiesel@bentlybiofuels.com

Vegetable oil pickup for

restaurants:

267-7659 or pickup@bentlyfuels.com