An Earth Day message from Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano
In honor of Earth Day, I’m pleased to report that since Wayne County made the switch in June 2006, our county fleet of vehicles has purchased more than 1 million gallons of biodiesel, a renewable alternative fuel made from vegetable oils, fats and greases.
Biodiesel helps to preserve and protect natural resources. A U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture full lifecycle emissions study found that for every unit of fossil energy needed to make biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are gained. In contrast, society uses 1.2 units of fossil resources to produce 1 unit of petroleum diesel. This means that for every gallon of biodiesel we use, there’s the potential to displace four gallons of imported petroleum.
Biodiesel also helps to protect the environment by reducing harmful emissions when compared to petroleum diesel. When using B20 (20 percent biodiesel), carbon monoxide is reduced by an average of 12 percent, hydrocarbons 20 percent and particulates 12 percent.
In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated when compared to petroleum diesel.
Today, Wayne County is doing its part and setting an example for others to follow.
June 25, 2008
Adults go for gold in spell-off
They had breezed through "vicissitude"; now, Team 11 had only to spell "xenobiotic" to clinch first place in Tuesday's Spell-Off for Seniors.
County's China trade missions spur Discovery channel profile
Detroit - Wayne County's far-reaching travels to recruit investment and attract attention to our region are part of an important documentary on China scheduled for broadcast on the highly popular Discovery channel.
Detroit – Imagine non-violent offenders focused on organic gardening in an area bigger than a city block. Imagine the offenders producing four tons of food for the hungry. And, imagine that garden being a source of rehabilitation and community pride.
They had breezed through "vicissitude"; now, Team 11 had only to spell "xenobiotic" to clinch first place in Tuesday's Spell-Off for Seniors.
Detroit - Wayne County's far-reaching travels to recruit investment and attract attention to our region are part of an important documentary on China scheduled for broadcast on the highly popular Discovery channel.
Detroit – Imagine non-violent offenders focused on organic gardening in an area bigger than a city block. Imagine the offenders producing four tons of food for the hungry. And, imagine that garden being a source of rehabilitation and community pride.
