Pittsfield tries fat as engine lubricant

Mass Innovations, From The Beacon, Summer 2010

The city of Pittsfield is among the first public entities in the nation to try an engine lubricant made from rendered beef fat.

The alternative to conventional motor oil, known as G-OIL, is manufactured by Green Earth Technologies, a Stamford, Conn., company whose distributor is based in Schenectady, N.Y. The lubricant, which became available at retail outlets after it was certified by the American Petroleum Institute in March 2009, has been in use on a trial basis by Schenectady County since the end of last year.

Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto learned of the product when he met an official from Green Earth Technologies at a meeting this spring.

Pittsfield, which already has achieved the state’s “Green Communities” designation, is hoping that its use of the biodegradable motor oil will further reduce the city’s carbon footprint as well as trim costs, according to Tricia Farley-Bouvier, the city’s public affairs coordinator.

“It certainly will be worth it if it doesn’t cost the city any money,” Farley-Bouvier said. “And we have every reason to believe it will cost the same, if not less, in the end.”

According to Bruce Collingwood, the city’s public works and utilities commissioner, G-OIL is about twice the cost of motor oil, but savings are expected as a result of less frequent oil changes.

“If we get to 6,000 miles [of use] we’ll break even,” Collingwood said. “The hope, however, is that vehicle engines will be able to go 9,000 [miles between oil changes].”

The oil will be tested after 3,000 miles. So far, “It seems to be working pretty well,” Collingwood said.

Pittsfield, which received a free shipment of G-OIL from Green Earth Technologies, is using the lubricant in 16 vehicles as well as four mowers. The product is not being used on the city’s fleet of diesel-powered trucks because it has not yet been certified for use in diesel engines, Collingwood said.

Schenectady County intends to wait several months before concluding its testing period and expanding the lubricant’s use to a wider variety of vehicles, said Joe McQueen, the county’s communications director. Among other things, county officials want to make sure that using G-OIL doesn’t invalidate any vehicle manufacturers’ warranties, McQueen said.

For more information about Pittsfield’s program, contact Bruce Collingwood at (413) 499-9330.