Property Shows Promise As Bio-diesel Source

ROMULUS (WWJ) - A three-acre parcel of property near Metro Airport is showing early signs of promise as a source for bio-diesel. The MSU Extension Service planted oriental mustard seed and canola plants in a field at Pennsylvania and Wayne Roads, with plans to use the plants to make bio-diesel.

WWJ's Mike Campbell spoke with James Padilla, of Warren-based bio-diesel development company "The Power Alternative," who has high hopes for the idea.

"Michigan consumes 900 million gallons of diesel every year. At 200 gallons-per-acre, per-year, we're talking about the capability to replace, not a fraction, but all of the diesel fuel that's consumed in Michigan. And that's a huge paradigm shift," Padilla said.

Padilla said the bio-diesel from the three acres of plants in the Romulus field could be used to power some airport service vehicles, and even used as a jet fuel.

The Wayne County Airport Authority said all 1,700 d acres of its so-called marginal land around Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run Airports is available for the Agri-Energy Technology Demonstration Project.