Biodiesel Now Available at Shilshole Marina 

Biodiesel has been powering diesel engines for years, but use by boaters is really just beginning, at least in the Puget Sound area. 

Biodiesel is produced from a variety of renewable resources, including waste vegetable  oils, cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats. The fuel can be used in virtually any diesel engine, with no or few considerations to be addressed. Biodiesel acts like petroleum diesel, but produces significantly less air pollution, is renewable, is biodegradable and is safe for the environment.

Michael Elliott has been selling biodiesel at the Elliott Bay Marina, near the Magnolia Bridge, for about $4 a gallon. Despite the costs, numerous boaters from around the Sound are using the fuel, with sales around 1,000 gallons a year. Motivations for paying the relatively high price vary. Some use biodiesel in an effort to move away from foreign oil. Others want to reduce the harmful exhaust pollutants associated with diesel fuel - while enjoying the an exhaust that smells very similar to french fries. 

"We have some real die-hard customers that come for miles because they believe so strongly in this stuff," Elliott said. "We don't sell a lot of it, but it was enough so that we wanted to keep it around."

With rising interest, Elliott will begin selling biodiesel at his Shilshole Bay station starting Saturday, March 15, 2003. He expects to sell a blended version, 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel, for around $2.30 a gallon. This blend tends to be more popular for a variety of reason, particularly because it is less expensive, while still providing the benefits.

Contact: Michael Elliott at 206-789-5017