MAYOR NEWSOM LAUNCHES SFGREASECYCLE – THE NATION’S FIRST CITYWIDE
PROGRAM THAT COLLECTS WASTE GREASE TO CREATE BIOFUEL FOR MUNICIPAL FLEET

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
combat climate change and curb the growing number of clogged sewers
plaguing City residents and businesses, Mayor Gavin Newsom today
launched an innovative solution to collect fats, oil and grease (FOG)
free of charge from City restaurants and turn them into biofuel for
City-owned vehicles. SFGreasecycle is the nation’s first citywide
program to turn FOG into fuel for municipal fleets and will save
residents and businesses money, unclog City sewers, and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. The first SFGreasecycle restaurant waste
grease pickup occurred today at Puccini and Pinetti in Union Square.

"San Francisco’s entrepreneurial and environmental spirit is once
again front and center with our innovative biodiesel creation
program," said Mayor Newsom. "Our program will serve as a model for
cities throughout the world who aim to transform their grease waste
into useable, sustainable energy."

SFGreasecycle is a program that was developed by the San Francisco
Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) as a sustainable alternative to
combat sewer blockages caused in part by excess cooking oils and fats
discharged down drains from restaurants and homes. Each year, the
SFPUC estimates that 50% of sewer emergency calls are related to
backups caused by grease blockages costing their ratepayers $3.5
million a year in repairs.

"We’re taking a serious City problem and using the best available
technology to save our ratepayers’ money and do something good for
the environment," said SFPUC General Manager Susan Leal. "For every 5
gallons of grease we collect and keep out of our sewers, we displace
5 gallons of petroleum diesel. That is a net 100 pound reduction in
carbon emission."

San Francisco, a national leader in initiatives to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, has a City fleet of more than 1600 diesel vehicles
being retrofitted to accept the new biofuel source. In 2006, Mayor
Newsom signed an executive directive mandating that the entire city
fleet be converted by December 31, 2007. The City is currently on
pace to meet that goal. Initially, biodiesel for the City fleet will
be purchased through an existing city contract, with the future plan
to procure all biodiesel generated from San Francisco’s restaurant
waste oil stream.

Recycled FOG from San Francisco restaurants is estimated to generate
1.5 million gallons of biofuel each year. 59 restaurants have already
signed up for the SFGreasecycle program before its launch with more
expressing interest every day.

"The SFPUC’s SFGreasecycle program provides an immediate financial
benefit to one of San Francisco’s most important economic engines –
the restaurant and food service establishment industry," said Golden
Gate Restaurant Association President Kevin Westlye. "I encourage all
restaurants and food service establishments to sign up for the program."

Mayor Newsom and the SFPUC also announced that this Thanksgiving,
residents can drop-off their holiday waste cooking oil for conversion
to biodiesel for the City fleet at Costco, located at 450 10th
Street. The Costco drop-off location will be open from November 23-26
during their normal operating hours of Friday, 9-8:30pm; Saturday,
9:30-7:00pm; Sunday, 10-6pm; and Monday, 11-8:30pm.

For more information or to sign up for the SFPUC’s free restaurant
waste oil collection service, please call (415) 695-7366 or visit
sfgreasecycle.org.