Press Release - Thursday, June 22, 2006
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Lt. Gov. Quinn Welcomes Grease-Powered Big Green Bus to Illinois
(CHICAGO) -- What's big, green, patriotic, and smells like French fries?
That's easy, says Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn. It's the Big Green Bus, a school bus that has been converted to run on used vegetable oil. The Big Green Bus stopped today at Chicago's White Palace Grill as part of a 10-week, 10,000 -mile journey to promote homegrown alternative fuels.
"The Big Green Bus demonstrates recycling at its best, taking restaurant waste and turning it directly into motor fuel," Quinn said. "With gasoline prices hovering up around $3 a gallon, it's clear that we have to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. Finding new, creative sources of alternative fuel is good for the environment, and for our national security. "
The Big Green Bus and its 12-person crew - all students at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. - stopped for lunch at the White Palace Grill, a classic diner that has been a beloved Chicago institution since 1939. After lunch, the students filled up their tank with about 40 gallons of used vegetable oil from the grill's fryers.
Quinn invited the Big Green Bus and its environmentally aware crew to join him at the White Palace Grill to help spread the word about alternative biofuels. "I am delighted that the Big Green Bus is visiting Illinois," Quinn said. "This `bus stop' helps us to let people in Illinois and across the country know that renewable fuels can be a cost-effective, environmentally friendly option."
The Big Green Bus project began in 2005 when 15 Dartmouth students bought an old school bus and modified its diesel engine to run on vegetable oil, to demonstrate the affordability, reliability and environmental benefits of alternative fuels. This summer, the Big Green Bus is visiting camps, festivals and fairs nationwide to spread the word about renewable fuels and energy conservation.
Quinn invited the Big Green Bus to stop in Chicago as part of his efforts to raise citizen awareness of environmental issues. As chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council and the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council, Quinn has a keen interest in the environmental and economic benefits of corn- and soy-based alternative fuels. As Lt. Governor, Quinn has been a constant champion of renewable fuels that can expand Illinois' economy while reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil.
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