EVENT: UC Irvine is rolling out a shuttle bus that runs exclusively on fuel made from soybeans. UCI is the first University of California campus to convert buses to run on 100 percent biodiesel fuel, which is better for the environment than traditional diesel fuel. Members of the administration and Irvine Mayor Beth Krom will talk about the effort. Literature on the fuel technology will be available along with food and drinks. Sponsors include ASUCI, Environmental Health and Safety, Automotive Fleet Services, and Parking and Transportation Services.

WHEN: Noon, Tuesday, April 17

WHERE: Near the flagpole outside Aldrich Hall, UCI campus. Map: www.uci.edu/campusmap

INFORMATION: Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dick Sun at 949-824-6200 or Dick.Sun@uci.edu.

BACKGROUND: UCI began running one of its 10 shuttle buses on 100 percent biodiesel fuel in March. For more than a year, UCI tested the bus and its newly installed control system to reduce smog-forming nitrogen oxide emissions. A study of biodiesel emissions showed reductions in total unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and other greenhouse gases, when compared with use of diesel fuel. UCI plans to convert its entire shuttle bus fleet to run exclusively on biodiesel fuel.

This effort stems from a UC system-wide directive that its campuses become greener and cleaner. Using biodiesel fuel will help UCI meet these goals. Other campus fleet vehicles, such as solid waste and recycling trucks, operate on fuel that is 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel. Like 100 percent biodiesel, the mixture emits less of the pollutants than 100 percent diesel fuel.