Channel Islands National Park Superintendent, Tim Setnicka announced today that the National Park Service research vessel Pacific Ranger will operate on biodiesel, an organic-based fuel made from used cooking oil which is non-toxic to the marine environment. The Pacific Ranger regularly cruises throughout the islands while monitoring the health of the marine ecosystems of Channel Islands National Park. The two year pilot program will demonstrate the viable application of using 100% organic based fuels in a sensitive marine environment. Additionally the biofuels will be used on Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands to make the islands petroleum free. Currently, all electricity on Santa Barbara Island and 95% of the electricity on Anacapa, is generated using renewable solar energy.

All of the fuel for this inovative pilot project is provided at no charge to the park through Green Energy Parks, an inter-agency partnership between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy. This joint program aims to promote the use of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies and practices in our national parks, and to educate the visiting public about these efforts.

The fuel being used in this project is manufactured from used cooking oils. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) identifies the product as containing no hazardous materials. Operating a marine research vessel without using hazardous materials for fuel has many benefits, including reduced exhaust emissions, less potential for marine contamination, and reduced fire hazard. Other than cleaning fuel tanks and replacing old fuel lines, no modifications were required to switch to this renewable energy source. When Rudolph Diesel first perfected his engine, he designed it to operate on vegetable oils. Only later were petroleum fuels used in Diesel's engine. After 100 years, Channel Islands will be returning to the fuel that first operated the diesel engine.

Currently in California there are no manufacturing facilities producing biodiesel from used cooking oils. The fuel for this project will be shipped in small quantities from the midwest, which increases cost due to transportation charges. The cost for the fuel currently being used in this project is almost four dollars a gallon. However, if future market demands, bulk shipments will occur, or local production will commence and bring the price of this renewable fuel down to under two dollars a gallon, close to the cost of conventional petroleum fuels.

Funding for this Green Energy Parks program has enabled Channel Islands National Park to take an additional step in reducing the park's reliance on non-renewable resources. Currently the park operates 73 solar electric systems, 4 wind energy systems, 5 alternative energy vehicles and has many other sustainable programs in place.

Additional information on the "Greening" of the Pacific Ranger is available @ http://www.nps.gov/chis/pacranger.htm.

PACIFIC RANGER SPECIFICATIONS
Hull: Length 56 foot Overall, Width 16 Foot, Draft 4 feet, 10 inches, Steel, Monk Design.
Capacity: 24 Passengers, 20 Long Tons Cargo, Main Deck 12 Feet X 16 Feet.
Mechanical: 2 each GM 6-53 Engines, 1 each 15kW Generator, 1 each dive compressor, 12 Foot/15 hp 4 Cycle, Skiff.
Crusing Speed 11 Knots @ 12 Gallons per hour, Maximum Speed 11.5 Knots.
Staterooms for eight, Full galley, Two heads.

For more information on visiting the park go to the parks web site at http://www.nps.gov/chis/homepage.htm or call 805 658-5730.

Channel Islands National Park Press Release Page