Smyrna Looks to Cooking Oil to Save Money

The City of Smyrna is getting into the diesel production business, so soon it will be time to start saving that used cooking oil.

In an effort to increase its energy efficiency, the city received a Community Development Block Grant as part of the federal stimulus program. With the $210,000 grant, construction will soon begin on a new biodiesel processing center at the city’s Public Works facility.

The idea is to save money fueling the city’s nearly 70 diesel operating vehicles, while also doing some good for the environment. With diesel fuel prices at the pump hovering around the $4 a gallon mark, City Administrator Eric Taylor estimates that the new processing facility can save Smyrna in the area of $25,000 a year.

“What this will allow us to do is to begin collecting vegetable oil from our residents and businesses that we can then take to our public works facility and convert into diesel fuel,’’ Taylor said. “Certainly sustainability is an important aspect of what it is we do for the city as is reflective in our Keep Smyrna Beautiful efforts.’’

Recycling the vegetable oil will also help with the prevention of clogged sewers and storm drains. Restaurants will be encouraged to recycle their cooking fat, but so will residents as there will be special containers for people to put their grease in.

“Save all your cooking grease, please,’’ KSB’s Ann Kirk told those gathered at Wednesday night’s Keep Smyrna Beautiful awards banquet at the Smyrna Community Center.

The plan is for the processing facility to be up and running by the fall if not sooner.

“I think this is a step in the right direction, especially with the amount of gas prices and how much they are increasing these days,’’ Taylor said.