Jonathan Baty, VW/Mercedes Owner
Redlands, California

After the events of September 11, 2001, Jonathan Baty, Redlands, Cal., decided he needed to do something about his personal use of foreign oil. He wanted to ensure he was fueling with an American product. He discovered that biodiesel could help him do that while, at the same time, using something from the “waste stream” and making it useful again.

“It just started looking better and better,” he said of his decision to begin using biodiesel.

“Our vehicles run great. The emissions are visibly improved.”

Baty uses B100 (pure biodiesel containing no petroleum product) made from recycled cooking grease by producer Imperial Western, that is delivered to his house in 55 gallon drums. His diesel vehicles have included a Volkswagen TDI Jetta, an older model 300 TD Mercedes and a newer Mercedes E320D.

“I’m doing it because it makes sense,” he said.

“ Biodiesel cleans the fuel delivery system,”

Baty is a member of the Southern California Biodiesel Users Group, www.socalbug.org. The organization manages a network for obtaining the fuel and monitors biodiesel legislation.