PICKENS — The county has been recognized for its biodiesel project.

During the SC Association of Counties’ annual conference, Pickens County received Honorable Mention in the 2009 J. Mitchell Graham Memorial Award Competition in the 50,000 to 125,000 population category.

The county’s biodiesel program recycles used vegetable oil to create biofuel for use in modified county vehicles.

“I think this is the highest recognition the county has received,” Hurst said. “We’re very proud of all our employees.”

“Because of the dedication of several county departments, we were able to bring this recognition home to the citizens and employees of Pickens County,” said County Administrator J. Chappell Hurst. “The collaborative efforts between the staff of solid waste, recycling, vehicle maintenance, building maintenance, roads and bridges and engineering are to be admired.”

The biodiesel project began more than a year ago, as the county began looking at alternative fuels to ease the pain of high prices at the pump. Initial estimates to create a facility that would produce enough biodiesel to support the county fleet were around $750,000, but the county was able to complete the project for under $190,000, Hurst said.

Estimates state the county will save between $250,000 and $750,000 per year by using recycled vegetable oil from local businesses.

“Biodiesel protects engines better than regular diesel, which means taxpayers will save more because county equipment will last longer,” Hurst said.

The county will also benefit with cleaner air quality, thanks to the program, he said.

“Biodiesel produces 78 percent less emissions than regular diesel and is free of sulfur and aromatics,” he said.

The county will continue with its alternative fuel project, including continuing to convert county patrol cars to run on propane.

The county has applied for a Department of Energy grant that, upon approval, will provide funding to convert 40 vehicles to propane fuels, Hurst said.

“We’ll be the first county in the nation to have an entirely green fleet,” he said.

Officials from AT & T in the audience at the awards ceremony were so impressed with the county’s presentation, they awarded the county $3,000 to help move the project forward, Hurst said.

“It means a lot to us,” he said.

County Councilman Tom Ponder said the recognition was nice, but that’s not why council had approved the project.

“We’re trying to deal with issues the county has to deal with everyday, regarding the cost of operations,” Ponder said. “This is something we’ve thought about considerably.”