Smithtown officials mull synthetic fuel

After testing biodegradable oil in town vehicles for six months, Smithtown officials say they are ready to strike a deal to buy the synthetic fuel from a Florida company.

Town officials are negotiating a contract with Green Earth Technologies, of Celebration, Fla., to power some cars and light trucks with the oil, which is composed of plant and vegetable oils and animal fats. The company says synthetic oil is good for 10,000 miles -- far more than the 3,000 miles for fossil fuels -- and produces fewer emissions.

"Less labor, less pollution, less time the vehicles are off the road," said Gerard E. Fitzpatrick, of Green World Marketing, in Northport, which represents Green Earth Technologies.

Smithtown, which also has a fleet of vehicles that operate on compressed natural gas rather than gasoline, began testing synthetic oil in June. Green Earth wants to pitch the oil to Suffolk County officials, and Assemb. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-St. James) said the state should consider it.

"It's been working well here," he said, referring to Smithtown. "One role for government to play is as a test lab for new technology."