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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Bio Soy Products
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NPS photo by Brenda St. Martin | Trail leading to Sand Point beach |
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Green Energy Parks Program
In an effort to expand the Lakeshore’s sustainable practices program, the park has embraced the President’s program with special funded grants to use bio-soy fluids and lubricants in various park fleet operations. These soy products meet government "greening" objectives, are safer for employees to handle, and are biodegradable in case of spill or releases.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the (DOE) and the (DOI) states:
Under the Green Energy Parks program, DOI and DOE will implement joint sustainable energy projects throughout the National Park System. The primary goals of the program are to:
- Promote the use of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies and practices, and increase use of alternative fuels throughout National Park facilities and transportation systems;
- Educate the visiting public about the impact of conventional energy use on natural and cultural resources, the capacity of current and emerging energy technologies to reduce that impact, and the things visitors can do at home to reduce their own energy use.
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NPS photo | Using bio soy products on vehicles |
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Converting to Bio-Soy Products
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore chose to use bio-soy products because they meet the above goals, are easily substituted, are safer for employees to handle, and are biodegradable in case of a spill or release.
Since June 2000, all park diesel equipment has been fueled with B-20% blend of soy diesel. fuel blend. In addition to meeting the program goals, soy-diesel results in greater lubricity, cleaner burning engines and lower emissions. In addition, hydraulic oil in the shop vehicle lift, and heavy equipment hydraulic and trans-hydraulic fluid systems were replaced with soy hydraulic fluids.
All two-cycle grounds equipment, pre-mix outboard motor patrol boats, and cross-country ski trail groomers have been using soy two-cycle oil. Soy-based penetrating fluid, parts washing fluids, and chassis grease are also being used in shop operations.
Seven of the park’s vehicles are now field testing a soy/synthetic blend of engine oil. Bio-soy lubricants and fluids have been put into service in the following equipment and vehicles.
10 ton International dump truck |
soy hydraulic |
5 ton International dump truck |
soy hydraulic |
Two Ford 555 backhoe loaders |
soy hydraulic, soy transmission |
John Deere crawler dozer |
soy hydraulic, soy transmission |
Gallion grader |
soy hydraulic, soy transmission |
John Deere utility tractors |
soy hydraulic, soy transmission |
John Deere tractor mowers |
soy hydraulic, soy transmission |
Snowmobiles |
soy two-cycle oil |
Outboard boat motors |
soy two-cycle oil |
Diesel/gasoline engine vehicles |
soy crankcase oil |
Grounds equipment |
soy two-cycle oil |
Chainsaws |
soy two-cycle oil, bar & chain oil |
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Pictured Rocks NL Environmental Leadership PowerPoint Program more... | | National Biodiesel Board clean burning alternative fuel more... | | Michigan Soybean Promotion Council information about bio-soy options more... | | United Soybean Board Excellent source of soybean info more... | |
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Did You Know?
When the 729-foot freighter S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald went down on November 10, 1975, the last land-based communication to the ship was from the Grand Marais Coast Guard Station. This station and the Munising USCG Station are now managed by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
more...
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Last Updated: February 14, 2007 at 15:04 EST |