SACRAMENTO – (INT) – Kitchen grease is quickly becoming liquid gold in California.

Grease wars are developing over who can cash in on the ‘liquid gold’ that is then converted into biodiesel fuel.

A typical fast-food restaurant produces 200 pounds of grease a week. A fully loaded pumper truck could bring in as much as $900 at a recycling center. Thieves often strike in the night and syphon off the used grease and sell it on the black market.

State lawmakers are trying to stop modern-day oil rustlers by beefing up requirements for licensed haulers.

A bill passed by the Assembly is bound for the Senate.

Story Date: May 24, 2014