Bio-diesel, a fuel made from plants, cooking oil and other biological components, has been launched in the Dominican Republic. President Leonel Fernandez has inaugurated a pilot program aimed at finding out whether all government vehicles can be switched to this renewable fuel. Twelve pick-up trucks will be equipped with the fuel and studied during the program, as part of the National Energy Saving Plan. The presentation was prepared by the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology and Industry (formerly INDOTEC). The use of bio-diesel fuel reduces carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. The small fleet will use 50% regular diesel and 50% bio-diesel fuel for the tests. The Minister of Higher Education, Ligia Amada Melo reminded the chief executive that the Dominican Republic uses 350,000,000 gallons of diesel fuels each year at a cost of over US$850 million. Oil from the African Oil Palm and any other vegetable oil can be used in the bio-diesel fuel process