Greasestock
Greasestock is an American event held yearly in Yorktown Heights, New York. It is one of the largest alternative fuel, renewable energy, and low-energy green vehicle exhibitions in the United States.[1] Exhibitors showcase a variety of alternative energy vehicles, as well as exhibits with a sustainable lifestyle theme.[2] Although it is illegal in New York to power a vehicle with waste vegetable oil (the Federal Clean Air Act of 1990 forbids the use of non-compliant biodiesels such as raw vegetable oil; this is illegal nationwide, not just in New York), authorities in New York have stated they have no problem with the festival and have even participated in it.[3]
The event was founded in 2003 by individuals who shared an interest in vegetable powered vehicles.[4] It is held on the grounds of Peter Pratt's Inn, a historic landmark.[5][6] According to Jon Pratt, founder of the event, while the original event hosted only eight people interested in discussing alternatives to gas, each successive incarnation of the Greasestock celebration has drawn more and more visitors from all over the United States who are interested in cheaper gas, cleaner energy, and helping the environment.[7]
The green technologies demonstrated at the event include vegetable oil powered cars, biodiesel cars, solar powered cars, home heating alternatives, and organic farming exhibits.[8] The event draws exhibitors from all over the United States, and included among the hundred or so vehicles on display is a vegetable powered garbage truck from Mamaroneck, New York, the first of its kind in New York, which saved the municipality around $10,000 per year on fuel costs.[9]
The "Veggie Van", a project of V.O. Tech Inc. of Mahopac, New York and the Westchester County Government, is one of the exhibits at the Greasestock event.[10] The van gets its fuel from a local restaurant, and the food filtered out of the vegetable oil is used as compost at the County's Hanover Farm in Yorktown, New York.[11][12]
References
^ Norman, Jim. "Where There’s Never an Oil Shortage". New York Times. May 13, 2007.
^ "Greasestock 2008". Greasestock. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
^ Tillman, Adriane. "Greasestock Festival returns, bigger and better". North County News. May 14, 2008.
^ Max, Josh. "Gas-guzzlers become veggie delights at Greasestock in Yorktown Heights". NY Daily News. May 13, 2008.
^ Applebome, Peter. "Fill It Up, Please, and Check for Clogged Arteries". New York Times. May 3, 2006.
^ Reed, M.H. "Steeped in the Past, Looking to the Future". New York Times. September 30, 2007.
^ "Fill 'er up with canola". ABC News. May 19, 2008.
^ "Greasestock 2008: Alternative Fuel, Fun and French Fries Archived 2008-05-29 at the Wayback Machine.". Natural Awakenings. May 2008.
^ Golodryga, Bianna and Hoffman, Jessica. "Greasestock Celebrates Alternative Fuel". ABC News. May 19, 2008.
^ 'Veggie Van' pushes for cleaner environment". NBC News. September 19, 2007.
^ "Veggie Van Unveiled (Press Release)". Westchestergov.com. September 19, 2007.
^ "Westchester Unveils the 'Veggie Van'". WCBS 880. September 19, 2007.
External links
- Greasestock
