Authorities in Jefferson Parish announced Monday its transit system will be the first in the region to jump on the biodiesel bandwagon.

Biodiesel is a diesel fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats - in the U.S. the majority of biodiesel is made from soybean or canola oils.

Transit buses will soon begin running on an alternative biodiesel fuel blend, rather than the petroleum based diesel they are currently running on.

A Harvey based company – Salathe Oil – will be providing the biodiesel blend for the buses.

Officials say the switch could have many positive effects, both on the economy and environment.

"We started researching this a number of months ago and found it to be a very appropriate statement for a government to take in the way of cleaning up our environment as well as putting in a biodiesel that will help clean the engines, reduce maintenance costs over a longer period of time,” said Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard. “And I think with 400 vehicles in our area already using it and we have a Harvey-based supplier for this, which shows that we're helping to support our own economy.  This is the statement we should be making right now. We're proud to be the first government in the region to do it."

Biodiesel is a diesel fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats.

According to experts, using biodiesel can reduce pollutants and green house gas emissions.

The transition to the alternative fuel will begin in December and should be completed by early January.