More cities around the U.S. are turning to biodiesel as a renewable energy solution. NBB put the spotlight on the largest city to use B20 fleet-wide-San Francisco - last month when the city hosted the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo. Here are just a few of the initiatives announced recently.

New Orleans - As the city continues rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina, there is a new emphasis on renewable energy. Homes are boasting solar panels and organic gardens, and the City has taken note as well. New Orleans' newest buses use biodiesel to carry tourists and community members around the historic city.

Atlanta - Atlanta is working to introduce a Zero Waste Zone. The target area, in the downtown convention district will focus on recycling and reusing all waste products. As an integral part of the initiative restaurants will recycle used grease for the local production of biodiesel.

Savannah, GA - When city officials in Savannah restored a 1930s streetcar, they added a new twist to the old shuttle, a hybrid engine operated on electricity and biodiesel. The streetcar covers 10 blocks along Savannah's historic riverfront.

San Francisco - Though the city by the bay has been on the biodiesel bang wagon for some time, they continue to come up with new and innovative initiatives. A new plant under construction now will convert brown grease collected from restaurants to biodiesel. (The city already collects and recycles yellow grease.) The plant is the first brown grease to biodiesel plant in the nation. As part of the project San Francisco will create a tool kit to make it easy for other communities to adopt similar programs.

From The Biodiesel Bulletin March 2009 - A montly publication of the National Biodiesel Board