Kaua'i County's Department of Public Works recently began phasing in biodiesel at its Hanapepe and Lihu'e baseyards.

"We're starting with two fuel storage tanks and plan to eventually expand to other tanks located at our Kapa'a and Hanalei baseyards," said Dwayne Adachi, the department's automotive equipment superintendent.

The county's ultimate goal is to switch all of its vehicles and equipment that use diesel fuel to a biodiesel blend, said County Engineer Donald Fujimoto.

Biodiesel is available as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in any percentage. Currently the county is utilizing a blend of five percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel because some of the manufacturers of county vehicles expressed concern about the possible negative effects of biodiesel on engines and will not honor their warranties if anything goes wrong," saidAdachi.