Green Heat
In late March, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ started heating 12 residences on Frye Street with oil containing renewable, cleaner-burning biofuel.
The fuel is called B5, a blend of 5 percent biofuel in a petroleum base. Made from soy or canola oil, biofuel (aka biodiesel) is a cleaner alternative to both conventional heating oil and diesel vehicle fuel. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has joined a handful of other Maine institutions heating with B5, including Colby College.
Burner warranty issues will keep the proportion of the substance in heating oil low for now. Still, “ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ people are always looking for alternatives that are more environmentally friendly,” says Bob Leavitt of Facility Services, which initiated the new arrangement with American Alternative Energy, of Gorham.