Shown in the photo, Deputy Presiding Officer Vivian Viloria-Fisher joins County Executive Steve Levy, Legislator Wayne Horsley, Neal Lewis, executive director of the Neighborhood Network and representatives of North American BioFuels at the Bohemia facility's opening. A policy sponsored by Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher (DSetauket) and adopted last year to encourage the manufacture of bio-diesel in Suffolk County came to fruition this past Tuesday as the County's first bio-fuel production facility officially opened. Resolution 529-2005 sought to promote economic development and a cleaner environment by establishing a county policy to encourage the manufacture of biodiesel. The bill was introduced May 17, 2005, adopted by the Legislature on June 7, 2005 and signed by County Executive Levy on June 14th of that year.

One key aim of the legislation was to redirect spent restaurant cooking grease from municipal and private waste processing facilities to local bio-fuel manufacturing plants once they were established. The opening of the North American Bio-Fuels Corporation facility in Bohemia marked the culmination of the bill's objective.

"I introduced the bill last year because it was clear that market forces and environmental needs were at a nexus" Viloria-Fisher said. "Entrepreneurs are poised to engage in this promising renewable fuel source. The siting of North American BioFuels in Suffolk County will provide relief on two fronts: the recycling of the problematic grease trap waste and the environmental benefits of cleaner burning bio-diesel."

Additionally, with bio-diesel and other bio-fuels now being produced within Suffolk County it is believed that their availability here on Long Island will grow, while the price of these alternatives are expected to drop.