Smoky Mountain Biofuels open a biodiesel public pump in Cullowhee
By Jessica Richardson
Staff Writer
“The program is recognized as one of a kind,” said Sam Gray, co-founder of Smoky Mountain Biofuels.
Timm Muth, Green Energy Park Operating Manger, is set to speak at the EPA’s meeting in Baltimore. The Jackson County Commissioners have worked closely with Muth, Gray, and Alan Begley, cofounder of Smoky Mountain Biofuels, to make the Green Energy Park a reality. Muth, Gray and Begley were all in good spirits after they had received the news, and all three continue to look forward to the future of the park.
Muth said that they are about four weeks away from placing ads for blacksmith artisans. The Blacksmith Studio is in the first phase of the park and is ready to have more artisans working out of the studio. “We want to advertise nationally so that we have a wide selection of artisans.”
Phase II of the park will include the greenhouses, which Muth said will go up in the spring. The county will use several of the houses for their landscaping plants, which Muth estimated it would “save the city a bundle.” “They could easily save $50,000 a year,” said Muth. The other greenhouses will be open for private users. The park will also include a glassblowing studio, pottery studio, retail shop and a classroom in the future.
Smoky Mountain Biofuels have been expanding their business since they began production two months ago. Begley and Gray have been putting in overtime to build the facility, educate the public and get the business running. Smoky Mountain Biofuels produces biodiesel fuel, which has from 20% to 100% of the fuel being made from biofuel. Biodiesel is made from oils such as soy, canola and animal fats. The fuel burns far cleaner than diesel and can be produced on a small scale by local businesses.
The newest addition to Smoky Mountain Biofuels’ distribution is a public pump in Cullowhee. Hop’s Gas Station on Old Cullowhee Rd. in downtown Cullowhee is now offering a public pump with B-20 biodiesel. The pump has been operating for about a week and has been well received. It is now the farthest west in N.C. that someone can “fill-up” at a gas station with biodiesel. Prior to the installment of the pump in Cullowhee, the closest available was in Asheville.
Sam Hopkins, owner of Hop’s, approached the local biodiesel producer about having a pump at his station. Gray said that Hopkins wanted to do it to support Jackson County and help clean up the environment.
Michael Dux lives in Sylva and drives a 2001 VW Golf diesel engine. Dux said that he has run his car on biodiesel B-99 when he can, but often uses diesel because it is more available. He said that his engine seemed to run smoother on the biofuel.
Gray said that the company might be close to extending the public’s access to biodiesel in more gas stations in western N.C., and that more information will be forthcoming. “Our main goal in 2007 is getting the fuel out to gas stations,” said Gray.
The majority of contractors for the biodiesel are using a B- 20 blend, but Smoky Mountain Biofuels uses B- 100 in their 18-wheeler and Gray and Begley use B-100 in their personal vehicles.
Gray said that he has never had problems with his fuel freezing, but that “you have to winterize the fuel.” Gray said that their fuels meet national standards and have anti-icing agents added to them, which even regular diesel is required to use in the winter. Gray also has a block heater in his engine that creates a “pocket of warmth” to help keep the fuel from freezing in the winter. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park also uses block heaters, which is common in many diesel engines, said Gray.
“We’re officially running biodiesel at the highest location in the state on Clingman’s Dome,” said Gray. The Great Smoky Mountains National Parks have been running their vehicles on the N.C. side with biodiesel B-20, which is a blend that is 20% biofuel and 80% diesel. Gray said that he has heard good results and that the park has not had any problems with their vehicles running on biodiesel, even in cold weather.
Beginning in January, Jackson County departments will be running their vehicles on B-20 biodiesel, as will Swain County, said Gray. Jackson County has a plan to begin operating their school buses on biodiesel as well, which will probably start in the spring. Cherokee has already been using bio-diesel in their fuels, and will soon be getting fuel from Smoky Mountain Biofuels.
The small company is producing between 1,000 to 1,500 gallons a day, five days a week to meet their current contract, but plan to expand. “That’s not even a percent of our overall capacity,” said Begley. He said they should be at capacity by February. Smoky Mountain Biofuels are planning on an expansion after they reach capacity.