Biodiesel at pump again in Mukilteo
Published 9:35 pm Saturday, August 25, 2007
MUKILTEO — A Seattle-area businessman who was barred from selling biodiesel fuel at Rosehill Community Center can resume his operations under a new ordinance recently approved by the City Council.
The ordinance, approved unanimously, allows biodiesel to be sold from fuel trucks in Mukilteo at either the Rosehill Community Center or at service stations. Permanent fuel tanks for biodiesel are allowed only at service stations.
Biodiesel could also be sold in downtown business and light industrial zones with a conditional-use permit.
Dan Freeman, of Dr. Dan’s Alternative Fuelwerks of Ballard, was ordered by the city in 2005 to stop selling biodiesel from a 415-gallon tank in the back of his pickup during the Mukilteo Farmers Market at Rosehill Community Center.
He said he plans to return to the Mukilteo market, but probably not until next summer.
Freeman said he’s pleased with the new ordinance, and with what he perceives as an attitude shift at City Hall regarding biodiesel sales.
“I think this has come an amazing way in a short distance,” Freeman said at the City Council meeting.
Biodiesel is made from vegetable seed oil, and sometimes is mixed with petroleum diesel.
The city’s ordinance allows only the sale of B-99 or B-100 biodiesel from mobile dispensing units. That means biodiesel sold from trucks can’t contain more than 1 percent petroleum diesel.
“It’s about as hazardous as wood or the vegetable oil in your kitchen,” Freeman said. “It’s very hard to ignite.”
Charlie Pancerzewski of Mukilteo warned the council that allowing biodiesel sales at Rosehill could create traffic problems in Old Town.
“I think you ought to give some consideration to what you might be starting here,” he said.
Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine and City Council members said that would be a good problem to have.
“We can only hope there are 100 cars at Rosehill that want it,” Marine said. More gas stations would then carry biodiesel, he said, and it would no longer be needed at Rosehill.
“I think this is a reasonable first step, and I’m happy about it,” City Councilman Tony Tinsley said.
Reporter Bill Sheets contributed to this story.
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
