HOOVER, AL – After President Bush visited Hoover in September and praised the city for its use of ethanol in city vehicles, Mayor Tony Petelos said city leaders decided to seek more ways to use alternative fuels, according to the Birmingham News. The city this week launched a new initiative, making its first batch of biodiesel fuel from leftover cooking oil; restaurants are donating the grease.

The city bought the processing equipment from Biodiesel Logic Inc., an Albertville company, for $7,480. The city can make up to 55 gallons at one time. So far, the fuel is being used in two city vehicles and is working well, according to Fleet Management Director David Lindon. No alterations are required on the vehicles.

The city estimates the cost of producing the biodiesel fuel at 60 cents to 85 cents a gallon, depending on the purity of the cooking grease. If all goes well, the city will increase production and use the fuel in more vehicles, according to the Birmingham News.