Las Vegas Weekly

April 23, 2009 · 11:06 AM

Photo Gallery: Grease Bus runs on vegetable oil waste from N9NE Steakhouse

By Robin Leach

Barry Dakake, Jenna Morton, George Maloof and Jacob Snow.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

It’s difficult to believe, but it’s totally true: One of our Las Vegas transit buses is powered by used vegetable oil from N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms! So, it’s thanks to the stars of Hollywood and sports who dine there regularly for ordering up all those meals that require vegetable oil!

Executive chef Barry Dakake and his kitchen crews have been saving the waste, and it’s been converted into to the Regional Transportation Commission’s first Grease Bus. Palms President George Maloof; Michael and Jenna Morton, co-owners of N9NE Group; and Jacob Snow, general manager of RTC, unveiled the Grease bus to kick off their contributions to Earth Day.

Our contributing photographers Tom Donoghue and Joe Fury were on scene and in action for our Vegas Deluxe photo gallery. Students from two of our local schools wrapped the bus in green-themed artwork.

Additionally, the Palms unveiled its first solar-powered outdoor DJ booth. Mark McLarry, president of Sustainable Waves, built the booth using Sharp solar panels to capture the sun’s rays and then convert the energy into 110-volt electricity by Outback inverters. Miller Lite, sponsors of the Palms pool parties, had their banners printed on biodegradable vinyl that breaks down into sodium dust in landfills!

“Environmental responsibility is a top priority for us,” said Jenna, who also is director of community relations. “We are always looking for new ways to reduce our impact on the environment.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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