From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Jan 2 13:15:59 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon Jan 2 13:15:57 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Solar Electric Installers wanted Message-ID: <9872474C-F6B7-4054-B6EC-CEB2B4AE9E46@blast.com> I'm looking for younger energetic motivated dependable intelligent mechanically skilled prospects that I can train in plumbing and electrical stuff. Thank you, Thomas Honey Honey electric solar, Inc. www.honeyelectricsolar.com (336) 263-7246 From daproducts at wave-net.net Mon Jan 2 13:19:36 2006 From: daproducts at wave-net.net (Ashley Silva) Date: Mon Jan 2 14:20:37 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Solar Electric Installers wanted References: <9872474C-F6B7-4054-B6EC-CEB2B4AE9E46@blast.com> Message-ID: <000b01c60fc9$166dde20$0401a8c0@yourae066c3a9b> When you find someone like that please let us know - we are also looking - but gave up a few years ago. Ashley Silva DA Products ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rachel Burton" To: "BIG" Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 1:15 PM Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Solar Electric Installers wanted > I'm looking for younger energetic motivated dependable intelligent > mechanically skilled prospects that I can train in plumbing and > electrical stuff. > > Thank you, > Thomas Honey > Honey electric solar, Inc. > www.honeyelectricsolar.com > (336) 263-7246 > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group@lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > From steve at gogoetz.com Mon Jan 2 15:07:10 2006 From: steve at gogoetz.com (Stephen Goetz) Date: Mon Jan 2 15:07:20 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Solar Electric Installers wanted In-Reply-To: <000b01c60fc9$166dde20$0401a8c0@yourae066c3a9b> Message-ID: <43B987F7.73DAA.7634@pop.directnic.com> Thanks for providing the opportunity. Please offer information about the location. Stephen Goetz -----Original Message----- From: biofuels_interest_group-bounces@lists.emji.net [mailto:biofuels_interest_group-bounces@lists.emji.net] On Behalf Of Ashley Silva Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 1:20 PM To: BIG; Rachel Burton Subject: Re: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Solar Electric Installers wanted When you find someone like that please let us know - we are also looking - but gave up a few years ago. Ashley Silva DA Products ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rachel Burton" To: "BIG" Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 1:15 PM Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Solar Electric Installers wanted > I'm looking for younger energetic motivated dependable intelligent > mechanically skilled prospects that I can train in plumbing and > electrical stuff. > > Thank you, > Thomas Honey > Honey electric solar, Inc. > www.honeyelectricsolar.com > (336) 263-7246 > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group@lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > _______________________________________________ Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list Biofuels_Interest_Group@lists.emji.net http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group From wrenchwench at blast.com Tue Jan 3 20:51:16 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Tue Jan 3 20:52:07 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Biodiesel business has Oberlin crew cookin' Message-ID: <6882E8BC-3C13-48DC-883A-AF1E2EBDBB9C@blast.com> Biodiesel business has Oberlin crew cookin' Tuesday, January 03, 2006 Carl Matzelle Plain Dealer Reporter Oberlin - When Sam Merrett's Volkswagen runs low on fuel, he cruises over to Presti's restaurant. Not for the pasta but for the cooking oil. He uses it to make fuel. Merrett, who graduated from Oberlin College in June, and Ray Holan, 56, are partners in the Full Circle Fuel Center on South Main Street, a former Marathon station where they remove water and other impurities from cooking oil and blend it with diesel fuel to make biodiesel. The business soon will join only a handful in Greater Cleveland that sell biodiesel to the public - and it could be the first to pump 100 percent recycled vegetable oil. Merrett and his crew have been converting diesel vehicles to run on diesel, biodiesel or straight vegetable oil. They have installed auxiliary systems on about 25 cars and trucks since November, at a cost ranging from $600 to $2,000, Merrett said. "What Sam's doing is awesome," Presti's owner Kurt Zimmerman said. "It's good for the environment, our city and helps reduce America's dependence on foreign oil." Merrett met Holan at Great Lakes Brewing Co. three years ago. Holan's company, Biodiesel Cleveland, recycles vegetable oil from Great Lakes to run in the brewing company's "Fatty Wagon" van. "I was amazed at how simple it was to convert used oil into cleaner- burning fuel," Merrett said. "It's something I wanted to pursue." When Merrett needed a mentor to apply for fellowship money last year, the lanky, fast-talking 22-year-old turned to Holan, who believes the biodiesel industry will continue to grow because America's economy is still supported by the heavy-duty lifting done by diesel trucks and trains. Merrett also received a $36,000 fellowship from the Compton Foundation in Menlo Park, Calif., to cover startup costs for one year. Merrett said he chose the old Marathon station because it was near downtown and already had three 8,000-gallon underground fiberglass fuel tanks. A $40,000 retooling of the station is scheduled for completion in June. One tank will hold B100, which is 100 percent recycled vegetable oil. The second tank will hold regular diesel fuel, and the third will be filled with an ethanol blend for gasoline vehicles, Merrett said. New pumps will allow customers to select up to five different blends of diesel fuel, from B2, a blend of 2 percent vegetable oil and 98 percent diesel, to B100, depending on vehicle warranties and recommendations, he said. Blends higher than B20 won't be available in winter months because they lose viscosity in colder temperatures. Munson Mini Mart in Munson Township in Geauga County was Northeast Ohio's first publicly accessible biodiesel fuel station. In July, it began offering B5, a mix of 5 percent soybean/95 percent regular diesel fuel. The Rapid Stop fuel station and convenience store at East 55th Street and Payne Avenue in Cleveland began selling B20 in August. Since Aug. 11, the station has pumped more than 30,000 gallons of biodiesel fuel, which has been selling for about $2.72 per gallon, Rapid Stop owner John Carmosino said. "Most of my business is from small, local companies, but I also have steady customers with diesel vehicles who drive here from other suburbs," he said. In Oberlin, Merrett collects about 30 gallons of used vegetable oil weekly from Presti's, the IGA Deli and the kitchen at Kendall at Oberlin, a retirement community. In January, the state-licensed waste-oil collector will begin gathering used cooking oil from every Oberlin restaurant, including the cafeteria at Oberlin College. He expects to make up to 40 gallons a week. The oil will be recycled in his mobile lab for educational purposes. But he also wants to establish a co-op for residents interested in using cooking oil in their diesel vehicles. The portable lab can produce about 35 gallons a day and meets standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials. The fuel center also will house the Oberlin Design Institute, a nonprofit organization run by Oberlin College graduates. The institute's goal is to promote sustainable development in Oberlin, including college academic projects that would benefit the city, Merrett said. "I've been energy conscious since high school," Merrett said. "I wanted my environmental-science degree to mean something." To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: cmatzelle@plaind.com, 440-934-0522 From wrenchwench at blast.com Tue Jan 3 21:03:53 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Tue Jan 3 21:03:55 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Alternative Fuel Car Show in Charleston South Carolina Message-ID: <2BDE0255-A007-4C2F-8390-4E5C67EA5505@blast.com> The Sustainability institute is currently planning an Alternative Fuel Car Show in Charleston South Carolina. We are seeking participants who would like to present vehicles, speak about biodiesel, and offer information to the public about making conversions to standard diesel vehicles. The Show is scheduled for Saturday, March 25th and we hope to have presenters and speakers from each of the alternative fuel choices. If you would like to enter a vehicle in the show please contact me on the forum or by email. Thank you Benjamin Leigh bleigh@cofc.edu Sustainability Institute. http://www.sustainabilityinstitutesc.org/ From wrenchwench at blast.com Wed Jan 4 11:05:56 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Wed Jan 4 11:06:00 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Cold snap raises issues when biodiesel gels up Message-ID: Cold snap raises issues when biodiesel gels up By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY An unusually cold December in parts of the country exposed a flaw in biodiesel ? a partly organic fuel that many hope will lessen the country's dependence on foreign oil. Biodiesel has been gaining in popularity in recent years. Its allure is simple: The fuel can be made from material such as soybeans or recycled french fry oil mixed with regular diesel to make a cleaner- burning fuel. Tax breaks for biodiesel users ? rebates of 50 cents to $1 per gallon ? have encouraged use. But cold weather can cause biodiesel to solidify, clogging fuel lines and filters and leaving vehicles with no power. Just before Christmas, Minnesota temporarily lifted a recently enacted mandate that all diesel fuel sold in the state be biodiesel, because of complaints from truckers during a cold snap. In Colorado, dozens of students had no ride to school when biodiesel-powered buses wouldn't start. Straight diesel fuel will also solidify, but at a lower temperature. Biodiesel supporters say it's just been unusually cold, and the newer fuel gets the blame for problems that would happen anyway. But John Hausladen, president of the Minnesota Trucking Association, says: "Our organization has always opposed the mandated use of the fuel. We supported the concept of developing the fuel; we wanted to be partners rather than guinea pigs. The state mandates for the brand- new fuel are creating a statewide experiment with an outcome that is yet to be determined." He says 62% of fleet managers his group surveyed in December reported trucks were having problems from failure to start, to losing power going up hills, to stopping in the middle of the road. Mike Bute, a diesel technician at Riverland Community College in Albert Lea, Minn., says there would be problems even with straight diesel. "Every year, when it gets subzero, there are diesel-powered vehicles that gel up and stall," Bute says. "This year, because of the mandate, the biodiesels have been taking the blame for that. It really hasn't been more than usual." Through its Clean School Bus USA program, the Environmental Protection Agency encourages school districts to make changes that will cut emissions from buses, including switching to biodiesel. Through 2005, the EPA program doled out $7.5 million in grants. The Jefferson County, Colo., school district used an EPA grant to convert 175 of its 350 school buses to biodiesel. But in early December, when Colorado had more than a week of subzero temperatures, eight buses failed to start. "It's the coldest December we've had in 10 years," says Marc Horner, fleet manager for the Jefferson County schools. "It's out of the norm. With the cold weather, it just brings out mechanical problems of all sort." From wrenchwench at blast.com Wed Jan 4 11:10:31 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Wed Jan 4 11:10:40 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] The Biodiesel Bulletin from the National Biodiesel Board Message-ID: <1A792861-FFBD-4ED6-8D5C-E11E78926DE8@blast.com> Temporary Waiver Granted for B2 Requirement in Minnesota Two Weeks Left to Register for Biodiesel Conference Biodiesel Projects Funded Through USDA, USB First Biodiesel Plant a Reality for Indiana World Energy Wins Platts Energy Distinction Bonnie Raitt Raises Money for Biodiesel Outreach in Tennessee Biodiesel On and Off the Clock: Willamette Valley Vineyards The Biodiesel Bulletin A Monthly Publication of the National Biodiesel Board January 3, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------ In This Issue: Temporary Waiver Granted for B2 Requirement in Minnesota Two Weeks Left to Register for Biodiesel Conference Biodiesel Projects Funded Through USDA, USB First Biodiesel Plant a Reality for Indiana World Energy Wins Platts Energy Distinction Bonnie Raitt Raises Money for Biodiesel Outreach in Tennessee Biodiesel On and Off the Clock: Willamette Valley Vineyards ------------------------------------------------------------ Temporary Waiver Granted for B2 Requirement in Minnesota The Minnesota Biodiesel Council (MBC) December 23 requested that the Department of Commerce grant a temporary variance on the state?s biodiesel requirement. The request came after some petroleum terminals in Minnesota reported that they had discovered some of their biodiesel inventory contained more total glycerin than permitted under the ASTM D6751 standard for pure biodiesel. ?A 15-day variance will give terminals and other blenders the time needed to test their biodiesel inventory and re-supply,? said Don Louwagie, Chairman of MBC. ?We feel very strongly that biodiesel that does not meet the required standards, has no place in the marketplace. Biodiesel producers and terminal operators must take immediate steps to control quality so that biodiesel can move forward in Minnesota. ?Let me be clear that the issue is not statewide and there are many Minnesota diesel users and fleets that are not experiencing problems,? Louwagie said. Biodiesel producers and distributors are urged to become accredited producers or certified marketers through BQ-9000, the industry?s quality assurance program. A Diesel Helpline has been established through the University of Minnesota Center for Diesel Research. Minnesota residents experiencing a problem are urged to report it at 800-929-3437. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) supports the actions of the MBC and both groups are working cooperatively with the Petroleum Marketers Association of Minnesota, Minnesota petroleum producers, terminals and distributors and diesel users to correct the problem and ensure that no further quality issues arise. Two Weeks Left to Register for Biodiesel Conference Please note that there are less than two weeks remaining for pre-registration for the [ National Biodiesel Conference & Expo. ] In its third year, the 2006 San Diego conference promises to offer the most comprehensive information and networking opportunities in the industry. January 13 will mark the last day [ pre-registrations ] can be taken through the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) offices, and will also mark the last day for lower registration rates. After that, registration must be done on-site for a higher fee in San Diego, Feb. 5-8. General Sessions will feature some of the best-known experts in the field, as well as one of biodiesel?s top public faces ? Willie Nelson. Like last year, the conference program is organized by educational tracks ? Technical, Fuel Distribution, Policy/Regulation, Markets, Users and ? new this year ? Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to meet the needs of all industry players. More than 40 sessions will cover everything from fuel quality standards, federal and state legislation updates, and European marketing strategies, to trends in BioHeat and opportunities in agricultural uses of biodiesel. The exhibit floor has been expanded recently with overwhelming exhibitor interest, totaling over 115 exhibits. This year?s networking and social events include the popular Super Bowl Party, a golf tournament and a Welcome Reception. Also remember to sign up for valuable [ pre-conference training sessions ] which begin on Saturday, Feb. 4. Biodiesel Projects Funded Through USDA, USB The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in December awarded more than $18 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, which included funding for biodiesel projects. Among the grants are five that specifically fund research into biodiesel. The primary objectives of the SBIR program are to stimulate technological innovations in the private sector and to strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting federal research and development needs. The SBIR grants that deal with renewable energy total more than $1.2 million, and the biodiesel projects are as follows [ http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/sbir/sbir_abstracts.html. ] : . "Biosolids for Biodiesel," Emerald Ranches, Sunnyside, WA (canola) . "A New Process for Biodiesel Production Based on Waste Cooking Oils and Heterogeneous Catalysts," United Environment & Energy, LLC, Orchard Park, NY . "Improved Quality Soy-Oil Based Biodiesel Fuel," Bioplastic Polymers & Composites, LLC, Midland, MI . "Camelina sativa: A Multiuse Oil Crop for Biofuel, Omega-3 Cooking Oil, and Protein/Oil Source for Animal Feed," Great Northern Growers Cooperative, Sunburst, MT . "High Yield, High Efficiency Bio-Refining," Advanced Materials and Processes, San Marcos, TX USB Funds QSSBs for Biodiesel Fourteen qualified state soybean boards (QSSBs) and one region of five QSSBs have been selected by a United Soybean Board (USB) Communications Committee Working Group to receive USB funding. The QSSBs will be funded for pre-approved soy biodiesel communications activities in their states and region. They are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Mid-Atlantic Region (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia), Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee. This program evolved from the Biobased Products Initiative, which concluded last fiscal year. The board made $500,000 available for biodiesel and biobased product communications. First Biodiesel Plant a Reality for Indiana Evergreen Renewables LLC, a National Biodiesel Board member, announced in December they soon will be operating the first biodiesel plant in Indiana. Located at Wolf Lake Terminals in Hammond, the facility will initially produce 5 million gallons of biodiesel per year made exclusively from soybean oil. The group aims to start producing biodiesel in the first quarter of 2006 and intends to expand production to 30 million gallons per year. The facility will be constructed to produce biodiesel according to BQ-9000, the leading industry quality standard for biodiesel producers. Carl Lisek, Coordinator for South Shore Clean Cities, a U.S. Department of Energy program, said the city of Hammond is already familiar with this renewable fuel. The Hammond school bus fleet has successfully used B20 since the 2001 school year. ?While our nation?s thirst for oil puts our economic, energy security and air quality at risk, we see this facility as an alternative that works for improving our quality of life,? Lisek said. Brian Engel, a partner in Evergreen Renewables, and Edible Oil Marketing (EOM) President, said the need for clean, renewable fuel made in the United States has never been more apparent, nor has their business opportunity. ??The community of Hammond will be contributing to our nation?s energy security and a cleaner environment,?? he said. ?The facility site at Wolf Lake Terminals is optimally situated to source soybean oil from a number of Indiana soybean processors and to supply the growing demand for biodiesel to various wholesale rack fuel distributors in the region.? Evergreen Renewables LLC is a partnership between EOM, an independent vegetable oil marketer, and Process Technology Associates LLC (PTA), a chemical and process engineering firm, working in conjunction with Wolf Lake Terminals, Inc., which currently owns and operates a fully integrated liquid storage and distribution facility in Hammond. World Energy Wins Platts Energy Distinction World Energy, biodiesel supplier in Massachusetts, was recently awarded a 2005 Platts Global Energy Downstream Business of the Year Award. To award this National Biodiesel Board member this distinction, an international panel of judges convened to choose 15 out of 200 global companies that have demonstrated innovative energy initiatives. Composed of the energy industry?s top corporate executives, leading academics, and editors, the panel reported that, ?World Energy has taken an exceptional and pioneering role in moving a newcomer fuel from green pipe dream to commercial reality.? ?This award is a testament to the astounding growth of renewable fuels and the petroleum market?s mainstream adoption of greener energy initiatives,? said Gene Gebolys, President and Founder of World Energy. ?Biodiesel shows tremendous promise to improve emissions, fuel performance, and energy security.? World Energy [ http://www.worldenergy.net ] has been a producer and distributor of biodiesel for the past ten years. The company is a major supplier of biodiesel to petroleum distributors throughout the U.S. as well as all branches of the U.S. military and hundreds of federal, state, and local fleets nationwide, helping them meet strict emissions guidelines. Platts [ http://www.platts.com ] is a worldwide provider of energy information. Bonnie Raitt Raises Money for Biodiesel Outreach in Tennessee Nine-time Grammy-winning musician and activist Bonnie Raitt, currently touring the country on cleaner burning biodiesel, hosted a benefit event for biodiesel education at her performance in Knoxville, Tenn., in December. Thanks to Raitt?s belief in biodiesel, and her generosity, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) was able to sell a special lot of tickets for biodiesel supporters and Raitt fans. Most tickets included invitations to a dessert reception with Raitt after the show. The proceeds raised will benefit biodiesel education programs in Tennessee through the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition (ETCFC) and Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board (TSPB). ?What a fantastic person! We have been extremely pleased working with Bonnie and her team to raise awareness for biodiesel,? said Jonathan Overly, executive director of the ETCFC. ?Additionally, she took the time to meet and greet with 30 of the ticket buyers after the concert. All said and done, we've raised around $4,000 from the event.? Raitt is using the blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent regular diesel in two buses and two tractor trailer trucks. This is the second tour in which the blues entertainer has used B20. Please visit http://www.bonnieraitt.com or http://www.charityfolks.com to learn more about Bonnie Raitt?s tour. More information on biodiesel initiatives in East Tennessee can be found at http://www.etcfc.org. Biodiesel On and Off the Clock: Willamette Valley Vineyards Working at a winery may have more perks than just the tastings. Willamette Valley Vineyards [ http:// www.willamettevalleyvineyards.com ] in Oregon not only uses biodiesel in all of its tractors on its 250 acre operation, but its employees can keep burning the renewable fuel even after 5:00 p.m. The vineyard has been offering free biodiesel to its employees with diesel personal vehicles. So far, about five employees have switched from diesel fuel to biodiesel, or switched from gas to diesel vehicles, said Shelby Zadow, Willamette Valley Vineyards Communications Coordinator. ?I used to drive an SUV and commute 120 miles a day. I don?t feel bad about my commute anymore using biodiesel in my new car because I?m doing so much better for the environment,? Zadow said. She credits Jim Bernau, president and founder of the vineyards, for initiating biodiesel in business ? and personal ? use. Employees who accept the biodiesel offer of up to 50 gallons a month carry around promotional material on biodiesel at all times, and answer any questions curious fellow drivers ask. Willamette Valley also has four of its wholesale delivery vans running on biodiesel as they travel the state. Fuel is acquired through their onsite pump, as well as at SeQuential Biofuels? cardlock stations. ?A lot of Oregon wineries are heading in this direction; they are trying to be on the cutting edge when it comes to the environment,? said Zadow. This producer of Burgundian varietal wines was featured in the January 2006 Wine Spectator for this environmental initiative. ------------------------------------------------------------ Upcoming Events National Biodiesel Conference Feb. 5-8, 2006 San Diego http://www.biodiesel.org/expo2006 Biofuels Market Feb. 16-17, 2006 Brussels http://www.biofuelsmarkets.com Feb. 27-28 Biodiesel Finance & Investment Summit New York, NY http://www.infocastinc.com/biodiesel.html Renewable Energy & Finance Investment Summit March 8-10, 2006 Phoenix, Az. http://www.frallc.com/private.asp#b319 OPIS Ethanol &Biodiesel Management March 29-31 Chicago http://www.opisnet.com POWER-GEN Renewable Energy & Fuels Conference April 10-12, 2006 Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas, Nv. http://pgre06.events.pennnet.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Contact Us Amber Thurlo Pearson, Communications Coordinator Email: apearson@biodiesel.org Bev Thessen, Information Coordinator Email: bthessen@biodiesel.org This bulletin is also available in PDF format online at http://www.biodiesel.org/news/bulletin/ ------------------------------------------------------------ From wrightjim at gmail.com Wed Jan 4 11:48:25 2006 From: wrightjim at gmail.com (Jim Wright) Date: Wed Jan 4 11:48:27 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] biodiesel in watershed areas Message-ID: Right now the Wake County zoning regulations for R40W(residential 1 acre lots in a watershed) state that a permitted special use is: "Retail convenience stores selling beverages, groceries, patent drugs, and gasoline, including automatic bank teller machines - provided, however, that such stores that sell gasoline shall not be allowed in Residential-40 Watershed Districts." I am wanting to find out any information about the relative toxicity of biodiesel and petroleum based fuels, and if anyone has done any work in the area of getting a biodiesel gas station approved in a watershed area (or if you think that is a feasible goal). thanks, jim From wrenchwench at blast.com Fri Jan 6 11:25:52 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Fri Jan 6 11:26:01 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] EPA Issues Actions Related to Emissions Durability Testing Message-ID: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced it is issuing two actions related to vehicle emissions durability testing procedures. First, the agency is issuing a final rule that establishes vehicle aging procedures that automotive manufacturers must use to demonstrate that their vehicles will continue to meet the emission standards throughout the required useful life period (120,000 miles for most cars and trucks). EPA noted that it is completing this action to fulfill a court mandate issued on October 22, 2002 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to vacate the existing aging procedures and issue new regulations. The decision arose from a petition from the Afton Corporation (formerly known as Ethyl Corporation) to reconsider EPA?s existing durability regulations. EPA is also proposing options for testing the durability of vehicle emissions-related components, such as oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. This supplemental proposal will include options for addressing the durability of emissions-related components from three testing procedures. The first option would retain the current EPA process of allowing manufacturers to use good engineering judgment, such as computer modeling, test data or other established methods to demonstrate component durability. The second option would allow manufacturers to continue using the current EPA process, but would require the manufacturers to submit whole vehicle testing data for a worst- case vehicle configuration. The third option would allow manufacturers to continue using the current EPA process, but would also require that manufacturers submit data when a new type of component or a new technology is being introduced. Contact: John Millett, EPA, phone 202-564-4355, e-mail millett.john@epa.gov. From wrenchwench at blast.com Fri Jan 6 15:43:06 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Fri Jan 6 15:43:14 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] First E85 National Ad Campaign References: <42729703B7218C499400D44AF349FD9B03C872B4@ccbc-ce.ccbcmd.edu> Message-ID: <3326249B-5D4F-4FE1-A022-AB40D21EBE4D@blast.com> Begin forwarded message: > > > > > For Immediate Release > > January 4, 2006 > Contact: Michelle Kautz > > Phone: (573) 635-8445 > Email: mkautz@e85fuel.com > > First E85 National Ad Campaign > > Jefferson City, MO ? The first flexible fuel vehicle - E85 national > advertising campaign has been kicked off by General Motors. > Advertisements in the January 4, 2006 editions of the USA Today > andWall Street Journal describes the new GM 2007 E85 Chevy Tahoe. > > The full page ads includes statements regarding the ability of the > Tahoe to operate on the clean, renewable product. It also directs > individuals to the NEVC website,www.E85Fuel.com, to locate > availability of E85. > > ?To my knowledge, this is the first time that any automaker has > included a reference to the FFV capability of a vehicle in a > national advertisement,? stated Phil Lampert, Executive Director of > the NEVC. ?While I obviously only have access to regional versions > of these two very large circulation papers, we are very pleased > that GM has included information in these ads acknowledging the E85 > capability of the new Tahoe!? > > The 2007 Tahoe will be available January 10. Different from the > 2006 Tahoe, the new model will offer a feature called Active Fuel > Management? where the engine will provide power to all eight > cylinders when needed and only four when not needed. > > General Motors has been a long time supporter of E85 and a member > of the NEVC. Their E85 compatible vehicles include: > > 2006 > 3.5L Chevy Impala (LS, 1LT & 2LT) > 3.5L Chevy Monte Carlo (LS and LT models only) > > 2005 - 2006 > 5.3L Vortec-engine Avalanche > 5.3L Vortec-engine Police Package Tahoe > > 2003 - 2006 > 5.3L V-8 engine Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups 2WD > & 4WD > 5.3L Vortec-engine Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon and Yukon XLs > > 2002 > 5.3L V-8 engine Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups 2WD > & 4WD > 5.3L Vortec-engine Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon and Yukon XL > 2.2L Chevrolet S-10 pickup 2WD > 2.2L Sonoma GMC pickup 2WD > > 2000 - 2001 > 2.2L Chevrolet S-10 pickup 2WD > 2.2L Sonoma GMC pickup 2WD > > -30- > > > > > > > > > > > Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Confirm | Forward > > > > > > > > > > From wrenchwench at blast.com Fri Jan 6 17:42:58 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Fri Jan 6 17:43:03 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Biofuels & Sustainable Farming Classes at CCCC start next week! References: <7937726.1136519728408.JavaMail.root@mswamui-billy.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Message-ID: >> CCCC will reopen on January 3rd and curriculum class registration is >> January 4th. >> >> Monday classes Introduction to Biofuels (AGR 293) covering the following topics: alternative crops for biofuels, diesel technology, biodiesel production, biodiesel quality, straight vegetable oil conversions, tax issues & more! Taught by: Rachel Burton and Leif Forer Start date: January 9, 2006 (16 weeks) >> Sustainable Poultry Production * back by popular demand! >> An introduction to all types of poultry (chickens, turkeys, geese, >> etc.) from hatching to humane processing. Specific topics will >> include >> herbal and holistic health care, flock management, rotation on >> pasture, >> folk wisdom and the marketing of eggs, meat and manure. Saturday >> field >> trip TBA. Instructor Steven Moize is the farmer at Shady Grove >> Farm in >> Hurdle Mills 6 to 9PM, $61.25 1/9/06 to 3/20/06 >> >> Comparative Study of Sustainable Farming Systems >> Visits to local farms will form the basis for this course. Students >> will have the opportunity to participate in planned group >> activities on >> different farms. Individual farmers will share the particulars of >> their >> farming operation with the visiting students. The students will work >> with the lead instructor to synthesize a comparison of local farming >> systems. Recommended for interns, those ready to begin their own farm >> business and anyone interested in the details of local farming >> operations. Emphasis will be on vegetable production, but tours will >> also include fruits, cut flowers, herbs and livestock. Monday, 1-5 >> pm, >> 3/6/06 to 5/8/06, Doug Jones. $61.25 >> >> Tuesday classes >> Carpentry, Electrical and Plumbing >> Students will learn the fundamentals for basic house construction or >> remodeling work from experienced builder, teacher and farmer Kevin >> Meehan. Topics covered include framing, cabinetry and trim, stairs, >> wiring, drain lines, the NC building code, and hot/cold supply lines. >> Excellent course for those new to the construction trades; this >> course >> has received rave reviews for its practical and informative nature in >> the past.. Tuesday 7-9 pm, 1/24/06 to 4/11/06, Field trip TBA $61.25. >> >> Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants - Field Study >> The focus of this field study will be locating, identifying, >> approaching, collecting and marketing edible and medicinal plants. >> Frequent field trips to local areas for identification and >> sustainable >> harvest of native plants are planned as part of the learning >> experience. >> Learn how to explore herb habitats and communities, and discover >> ways to >> open up to this healing, nurturing, and renewing force. Most of the >> class will take place outdoors, so come dressed accordingly. Students >> should bring a notebook suitable for use outdoors. Tuesday, 3-6 pm, >> 1/17/06 to 3/7/06. Will Endres $61.25 >> >> Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants >> Herbalist and Wild Crafter Will Endres shares his more than thirty >> years of experience in the gathering and preparation of wild herbs >> for >> personal use and sale. Learn how to wisely integrate plants into your >> daily life. This is an interactive course where you will be given the >> opportunity to ask all of your herbal questions. The preparation of >> herbs for use by drying, and by making fluid extracts will be >> covered. >> This course complements the Field Study class, but neither is a >> pre-requisite. Tuesday, 7-9 pm, 1/17/06 to 3/7/06. Will Endres $56.25 >> >> Permaculture Fundamentals >> Permaculture is the design of sustainable human habitats. This class >> covers the fundamentals of permaculture systems design for forests, >> fields, permanent gardens, water, animals, buildings, economics and >> society. This is the first course required to earn a certificate in >> permaculture and is a prerequisite for the permaculture design >> practicum. Field trips TBA. Tuesday, 5:30 - 9:30 pm, 1/24/06 to >> 3/28/06, >> $61.25. Harvey Harman. >> >> WEDNESDAY >> Pastured Hog Production * NEW! >> With careful planning, even the smallest farm can support a number of >> diverse enterprises. This course will focus on pastured hog >> production >> as an additional, sustainable enterprise. Pastured pork production is >> the practice of raising hogs on grass, legumes, standing crops, or >> any >> other ground cover. The aspects of sustainable hog production >> discussed >> in this course will include alternative niche marketing, breed >> selection, alternative feeds, waste management, odor control, health >> concerns, and humane treatment and basic management practices. >> Wednesday, 5:30 * 8:30, 3/1/06 to 4/19/06, Chuck Talbott. $56.25 >> >> Organic Vegetable Production >> This course is designed to give the students both academic and >> experiential instruction in sustainable vegetable production methods. >> The class will begin in the classroom with instruction on >> designing and >> implementing a farm plan from seed selection to harvest. As the day >> length increases the class will move outdoors to the CCCC Land Lab to >> implement a class farm project. Wednesday, 6-9 pm, 1/25/06 to 5/3/06. >> $61.25 Doug Jones, Tony Kleese. >> >> THURSDAY class >> Wool and What To Do With It >> This course will focus on small scale wool production as a useful and >> satisfying endeavor. We will cover the basics of fiber animal >> management but mostly concentrate on what to do with those fleeces >> once >> >> you've harvested them. We will learn to skirt, scour, pick, card, >> spin, and dye a variety of wools, as well as mohair, llama, and >> alpaca. >> Saturday field trip to a local shearing to be announced. 1/12/06 to >> 2/16/06, 6-9pm, $56.25. Mary Ann Pagano, Three Waters Farm. Fee for >> Materials used in the course will be extra, student retains any >> materials prurchased. >> >> Friday class >> Ornamental Gardening: with Perennials, Shrubs and Trees; with a >> Special >> Focus on Natives - NEW! -This course offers a broad overview of >> the vast >> landscape plant choices we have in this incredible gardening >> region of >> North Carolina. Native plants will be featured. In addition, we will >> cover site analysis, soil preparation, organic pest management and >> basic >> design overview. The goals of this course are to help you analyze >> potential planting sites and make appropriate plant choices >> (perennials, >> shrubs, small trees) for that site. Students will also learn how to >> implement and maintain ornamental plantings. Conservation and >> sustainable horticultural processes will also be incorporated in our >> discussions. This course focuses on beginning/basic ornamental >> gardening >> information and is designed to help gardeners new to the area, or >> just >> new to gardening as well as students of the sustainable farming >> program. >> 2/10/06 to 3/31/06, 12 - 3 pm, $56.25.Instructor Kim Hawks is the >> founder and former proprietor of Niche Gardens. >> >> *Continuing education students may audit curriculum courses of their >> choice. Please contact Robin Kohanowich at 542-6495 ext. 229 for more >> information regarding these courses or information about our 2- >> year AAS >> degree and certificate programs in Sustainable Agriculture. >> The FUTURE is in sustainability - don't get left behind! >> To register call 919-542-6495 ext 223 >> >> From wrenchwench at blast.com Tue Jan 10 13:41:10 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Tue Jan 10 16:26:22 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Peak Oil Community meetings References: Message-ID: <2054C085-E244-4EA7-B172-BBC0617C17D3@blast.com> The following are announcements from Stephen Hren and Sammy Slade about peak oil & NC Powerdown meetings. FYI if you're interested. Begin forwarded message: > > Hello, I hope that all have had a good start to the New Year! > > It feels like this is going to be the year when further obvious > fruitition of our vision will happen. Already, Chapel Hill and UNC > signed on to the CRed project (though Chapel Hill did it with a > major contradicting concession of facilitating the increase of up > to 25% emmisions from the cogeneration carbon burning powerplant) > and Carrboro's Mike Chilton has expressed interest. After > Carrboro, Orange county should be next. The CRed will be the > compass for how well we are doing in the reduction of CO2 > emmisions, the curtailment of Global Warming and the mitigation of > Peak oil. Community will be our reward!!! > > I am forwarding information on the next NCPowerdown meeting, this > Wendsday 8 p.m. @ Acadia, which will discuss precisely what the > Hubers have been discussing. The discussion will be inspired by > the KinsaleEnergyDescentActionPlan. I have attached two versions > of it for you to check out (one is a PDF and the other is a word > document). > > It is a very helpful document, as it lays out timelines for actions > that deal with sustainabiity and community development as these > relate to peak oil and Global warming. Furthermore, it is divided, > as the hubbers have, into the various dimensions of the problems/ > solutions (i.e. Transportation, food, education, etc..) . We have > to edit it to include the ideas that some of us have already > initiated and/ or thought about. We also have to tailor it to suit > the specific situation of our location. And, we have to link up > with the NCPowerdown people and any/all other groups that are doing > or potentially could do related things. > > Sorry for the short notice. I feel that this meeting with > NCPowerdown could be considered a HUB meeting too. I hope to see > any of you who can make it out. > > Finally, the forum that we have talked about doing should benefit > from the experience of the forum that NCPowerdown will be doing in > Durham. > > I am Excited, I hope to see y'all soon, > > Sammy > > P.S. Here is the message that Stephen Hren of NCPowerdown has sent > out to announce the meeting on wendsday and to which the > KinsaleEnergyDescentActionPlan was originally attached: > > At this month's meetings we'll discuss creating a plan > to manage a successful transition from fossil fuels to > a renewable civilization. The jump off point for this > will be the Kinsale Energy Descent Action Plan. This > plan was created for a town in Ireland of only 7000 > people. Obviously, there are a great many differences > between our area and Kinsale. Nevertheless, the basis > for the idea is a good one, and it's always good to > have an example. > > The plan is broken into different components of energy > use, e.g. food, health, waste, transport, and most of > these components (okay not tourism so much) apply to > us here. Different topics can be assigned to folks > who can then do more research and talk about it at > following meetings. Having such a plan, no matter how > simple, will help take some of the doom and gloom out > of the subject of peak oil by showing a positive path > towards powering down. It will also be a great > document to share with local community leaders and > politicians. > > I am reattaching the Kinsale doc as a word file since > some folks had trouble with the pdf. Please make sure > someone brings a copy to the meetings. > > Also, more conference planning. In Durham last month > we hashed out a rough outline of what the conference > will look like. The conference will be on Sat. March > 25th from 1-6pm at Love Auditorium on Duke's West > Campus. Our general time outline is as follows: > > 1-1:20 Opening remarks > 1:20-2:00 Intro to Peak Oil > 2:00-2:15 Discussion with speaker > 2:15-2:30 Break >> From 2:30 to 4:15 we will have two break out sessions > in the surrounding classrooms. Here we'll have > workshops on more specific areas. These will be > building local food networks, renewables, city > planning, transport alternatives, conservation, and > planned communities. If anyone knows local folks who > are knowledgeable on these topics, please email me > their contact info. > 4:30-5:30 Video on Cuba permaculture transition > 5:30-6:00 Wrap up/Discussion > > Please brainstorm on how to get the word out about > this conference! Pick members to contact specific > local media about getting some press, places to put > fliers, people to invite to attend such as pols and > profs, etc. > > Meetings will be at 7pm in Raleigh at the Community > Action Center, 7pm in Durham at 1311 Clarendon St, and > 8pm in Carrboro at Arcadia. Call or email with > questions. Hope you can make it. > > Stephen Hren > 336-504-4452 > > Community Action Center in Raleigh 7pm > Coming from Wade Ave: > take > Oberlin exit south towards Cameron Village. Take a > right onto Mayview > at > the YWCA. Go about 3 blocks and look for the Subvert > yard sign on the > left. > Attila Nemecz > Action for Community in Raleigh (ACRe) > 919.341.8263 > > 1311 Clarendon St 7pm > Red house with screened in porch. One block east of > Broad St, just over from School of Science and Math. > One and a half blocks north of Club. Please call > Stephen @ 336-504-4452 > > Directions to Arcadia in Carrboro NC. 7pm. Call the > Arcadia Common's house > if you > get lost. 960-5007. >> From the South: > Take 15-501/54W around Chapel Hill. 15-501 will head > south to > Pittsboro, thus > stay on 54W. Soon 54W will pass Carrboro Plaza on the > left and a US > Post > Office on the right. There will be a light here. Go up > the hill to the > next > light and turn right onto Old Fayetteville Rd. You > will go past > McDougle > School. Turn right at the light on Hillsborough Rd. > Take the second > left on > Barington Hills Road. Follow the road through the stop > sign and down > the > hill. This road turns into Circadian Way which is the > entrance to > Arcadia. > Follow the road around the curves. Parking is along > the road in the > back (it > is obvious). Unmarked parking spots are fair game. > There is also > plenty of > extra parking in the NorthWest corner. Please don't > drive down the > also > paved fire lanes into the community > From leif at biofuels.coop Mon Jan 9 13:17:40 2006 From: leif at biofuels.coop (Leif Forer) Date: Thu Jan 12 08:37:33 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Backyard Composing Workshop References: <8D15541F2E16C84B8BE05C60FF5F038908A12A@exchange.sys.p2pays.org> Message-ID: <96421A38-BF70-48DE-9263-2C088D60D2E3@biofuels.coop> If you know somebody that may be intertested in learning Backyard Composting, Vermi-Composting (worm - composting)& Compost Tea Brewing please pass this on, attend and/or post ! Thank You ! Brian Rosa, Organic Recycling Specialist NC DENR, DPPEA 919-715-6524 Fax 919-715-6794 email: brian.rosa@ncmail.net -------------- next part -------------- From wrenchwench at blast.com Tue Jan 10 15:58:51 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu Jan 12 08:37:34 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: NC Powerdown meetings this Wednesday in Carrboro, Durham, and Raleigh References: <20060109223441.62066.qmail@web33106.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <2ECA7CFF-8A2B-40A4-BF6F-D5442A57C789@blast.com> Begin forwarded message: > > At this month's meetings we'll discuss creating a plan > to manage a successful transition from fossil fuels to > a renewable civilization. The jump off point for this > will be the Kinsale Energy Descent Action Plan. This > plan was created for a town in Ireland of only 7000 > people. Obviously, there are a great many differences > between our area and Kinsale. Nevertheless, the basis > for the idea is a good one, and it's always good to > have an example. > > The plan is broken into different components of energy > use, e.g. food, health, waste, transport, and most of > these components (okay not tourism so much) apply to > us here. Different topics can be assigned to folks > who can then do more research and talk about it at > following meetings. Having such a plan, no matter how > simple, will help take some of the doom and gloom out > of the subject of peak oil by showing a positive path > towards powering down. It will also be a great > document to share with local community leaders and > politicians. > > I am reattaching the Kinsale doc as a word file since > some folks had trouble with the pdf. Please make sure > someone brings a copy to the meetings. > > Also, more conference planning. In Durham last month > we hashed out a rough outline of what the conference > will look like. The conference will be on Sat. March > 25th from 1-6pm at Love Auditorium on Duke's West > Campus. Our general time outline is as follows: > > 1-1:20 Opening remarks > 1:20-2:00 Intro to Peak Oil > 2:00-2:15 Discussion with speaker > 2:15-2:30 Break >> From 2:30 to 4:15 we will have two break out sessions > in the surrounding classrooms. Here we'll have > workshops on more specific areas. These will be > building local food networks, renewables, city > planning, transport alternatives, conservation, and > planned communities. If anyone knows local folks who > are knowledgeable on these topics, please email me > their contact info. > 4:30-5:30 Video on Cuba permaculture transition > 5:30-6:00 Wrap up/Discussion > > Please brainstorm on how to get the word out about > this conference! Pick members to contact specific > local media about getting some press, places to put > fliers, people to invite to attend such as pols and > profs, etc. > > Meetings will be at 7pm in Raleigh at the Community > Action Center, 7pm in Durham at 1311 Clarendon St, and > 8pm in Carrboro at Arcadia. Call or email with > questions. Hope you can make it. > > Stephen Hren > 336-504-4452 > > Community Action Center in Raleigh 7pm > Coming from Wade Ave: > take > Oberlin exit south towards Cameron Village. Take a > right onto Mayview > at > the YWCA. Go about 3 blocks and look for the Subvert > yard sign on the > left. > Attila Nemecz > Action for Community in Raleigh (ACRe) > 919.341.8263 > > 1311 Clarendon St 7pm > Red house with screened in porch. One block east of > Broad St, just over from School of Science and Math. > One and a half blocks north of Club. Please call > Stephen @ 336-504-4452 > > Directions to Arcadia in Carrboro NC. 7pm. Call the > Arcadia Common's house > if you > get lost. 960-5007. >> From the South: > Take 15-501/54W around Chapel Hill. 15-501 will head > south to > Pittsboro, thus > stay on 54W. Soon 54W will pass Carrboro Plaza on the > left and a US > Post > Office on the right. There will be a light here. Go up > the hill to the > next > light and turn right onto Old Fayetteville Rd. You > will go past > McDougle > School. Turn right at the light on Hillsborough Rd. > Take the second > left on > Barington Hills Road. Follow the road through the stop > sign and down > the > hill. This road turns into Circadian Way which is the > entrance to > Arcadia. > Follow the road around the curves. Parking is along > the road in the > back (it > is obvious). Unmarked parking spots are fair game. > There is also > plenty of > extra parking in the NorthWest corner. Please don't > drive down the > also > paved fire lanes into the community > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________ > Yahoo! DSL ? Something to write home about. > Just $16.99/mo. or less. > dsl.yahoo.com -------------- next part -------------- From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Jan 12 08:34:38 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu Jan 12 08:37:36 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition Annual Meeting- Keynote Speaker Representative Jack Kingston- Last Day to RSVP References: <462F52FF2513454CB123CF6D9F1278E7018A4CE4@maconpo01.macon.ga.us> Message-ID: <55514CAD-4288-49E0-8120-9C50571B6357@blast.com> > From: "Stephens, Charise" > Date: January 12, 2006 6:17:23 AM EST > To: "Stephens, Charise" > Cc: > Subject: Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition Annual Meeting- > Keynote Speaker Representative Jack Kingston- Last Day to RSVP > > This is a reminder that today is the last day for reserving your > spot. (If you have RSVPd please disregard reminder) > Event: 3rd Annual Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition Annual > Meeting > > Date: January 19, 2006 > > Location: Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia. > > Alternative fuels and related advance technologies are the hot > topics for 2006. Come find out about current projects, > legislation, and ways you can be involved in the process. Clean > Cities is a broad reaching program that is community based and > believes in the power of the partnerships. We bring synergy and > opportunities for joint projects to our stakeholders and we need > you to be successful! > > > <> > The mission of the Clean Cities Program is to advance the nation's > economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local > decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of > petroleum consumption. Clean Cities carries out this mission > through a network of more than 80 volunteer coalitions, which > develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels > and vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, idle > reduction and other clean air strategies. Together we can make a > difference and hope to see you January 19, 2006! > > Thank you to all who RSVPd. > Charise Stephens > Executive Director > Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition > 1122 Seventh Street > Macon, Georgia 31206 > (478) 751-9178 > (478) 751-9168 fax > Charise.Stephens@macon.ga.us > -------------- next part -------------- From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Jan 12 10:07:02 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu Jan 12 10:07:13 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Presentation on The Energy Policy Act of 2005 in Charlottesville, Virginia January 31, 2006 References: Message-ID: <82624859-51A8-4940-A5DB-AB9FA6182D29@blast.com> Begin forwarded message: > From: "Blue Ridge Clean Fuels" > Date: January 12, 2006 9:20:48 AM EST > To: "VA Biofuels Forum list" > Subject: Presentation on The Energy Policy Act of 2005 in > Charlottesville, Virginia January 31, 2006 > Reply-To: brcfi@earthlink.net > > http://www.vsbn.org/docs/20060131_EnergyPolicyAct.pdf > > The Board of Directors of > Virginia Sustainable Building Network > Cordially Invites You to Attend > a VSBN Presentation on > > > > > > The Energy Policy Act of 2005 > > > > > > January 31, 2006 > 9AM-2PM > The Boar?s Head Inn > Charlottesville, Virginia > > > > > Confirmed Speakers > > > > Beth Shearer > Beth Shearer and Associates, Inc > (Former Director, U. S. Department of Energy > Federal Energy Management Program) > ?The Energy Policy Act Impact on the Federal Level? > > > > Steve Capanna > Alliance to Save Energy > ?New Energy Efficiency Incentives for > Commercial and Residential Buildings? > > > > Rick Handley > Northeast Biomass Program > Coalition of Northeastern Governors > ?The Future of Biomass Programs? > > > > Luncheon Guest Speaker > > > > Mark Ginsberg > Board of Directors > Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program > U.S. Department of Energy > ?The Energy Act and Beyond? > > > > From jewreindeer at gmail.com Thu Jan 12 21:02:18 2006 From: jewreindeer at gmail.com (Matthew Rudolf) Date: Thu Jan 12 22:02:22 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Travel to Guatemala, make biodiesel Message-ID: <43C7183A.4090008@gmail.com> I'm looking for enthusiastic people interested in a cross-cultural experience making biodiesel in a rural community in Guatemala. We have a small team of community workers that produce their own fuel in a fully outfitted biodiesel workshop in the Nueva Alianza Community (see www.comunidadnuevaalianza.org). We have constructed a small (40 liter) biodiesel reactor, with a separate biodiesel wash and dry tank. The community is using the biodiesel to power their electrical generator as well as farm equipment and is researchering the cultivation of different oil crops, including macadamia and castor bean. I am looking for folks interested in coming to contribute, help out, and generally lend a hand in the project. Lodging is in a beautifully restored ex-casa patronal (the old bosses house, that was recommissioned when the workers non-violently occupied the farm and kicked out the ruling family 3 years ago), and food can be prepared for a fee (there is kitchen access.) The person would need to have at least intermediate Spanish and be an experienced fuel maker, and be willing to commit for at least 4-6 weeks (more is better). If you think you might be interested contact Matt at mateo20@gmail.com for more information. From wrenchwench at blast.com Fri Jan 13 08:08:39 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Fri Jan 13 08:08:51 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: Diesel autos may be due rebound in U.S. References: <5.0.2.1.0.20060113074141.00c563e8@pop.netzero.net> Message-ID: <4AB87EC4-CA94-49FB-93D1-D13E1F2AAFDB@blast.com> Begin forwarded message: > From: Denton Conrad > Date: January 13, 2006 7:43:25 AM EST > To: (Recipient list suppressed) > Subject: Diesel autos may be due rebound in U.S. > > http://www.newsobserver.com/104/story/387923.html From wrenchwench at blast.com Fri Jan 13 14:58:46 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Fri Jan 13 14:58:43 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] North Carolina Biodiesel Networking & Discussion Message-ID: <1B0CECC3-0A35-4D91-99E2-156FB1648345@blast.com> Hello North Carolina Biodiesel Enthusiasts! The Biofuels Education Program at Central Carolina Community College is organizing an informal NC Biodiesel discussion next week in conjunction with Biodiesel production and equipment workshop at CCCC in Pittsboro, NC. When: January 20th 7-9pm Where: CCCC Small Business Building/Building 2 Cost: Free, donations to the Education Fund will be accepted Information about the weekend workshop: http://www.biofuels.coop/events/ We are inviting organizations from across the state for a networking - roundtable discussion. The focus of the discussion will be on biodiesel production projects. If you would like to address the group at this function, please contact me at rachel at biofuels.coop Organizations will have the opportunity to give a 5-10 minute update on the group's progress, goals, distribution,etc. We are looking forward to hearing the amazing work in the biodiesel field across this state. I hope to see you all there next Friday evening. Please, let us know if you plan on coming. It will help the "refreshments committee" Thank you, Rachel Burton From skepticbill at aol.com Mon Jan 16 11:07:12 2006 From: skepticbill at aol.com (Bill O'Luanaigh) Date: Mon Jan 16 11:07:38 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Biofuels on the BBC In-Reply-To: <003e01c5dae4$1d8fa900$06c56bd1@Snowcamp1> Message-ID: Mainly ethanol but still another hopeful sign: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4498934.stm Car firms and investors greet UK biofuel By Jorn Madslien BBC News business reporter in Taunton, Somerset It has long been known - and not only by environmental enthusiasts - that bioethanol made from, say, the grains otherwise used to make whiskey is perfectly suited as an automotive fuel. "You drink the best and you drive the rest," quips Graham Hilton who works for Wessex Grain's bioethanol subsidiary Green Spirit Fuels. Racing drivers have been using it for years, and many of them swear by it. "It's best for the environment and it doesn't lack power," says British touring car racer Fiona Leggate, who races a biofuel-powered Vauxhall. "I'd love to see it as a mainstream fuel." The future of motoring It is a vision shared by Somerset county councillor Paul Buchanan, who is involved in an ambitious biofuel experiment where local police will drive a fleet of 40 Ford Focus cars powered by as much as 85% bioethanol made from locally grown grains. When the BBC took a biofuel Focus around the Somerset countryside it felt no different from driving an ordinary model, though finding the fuel is pretty tricky. But this might gradually change. >From March this year half a dozen supermarket forecourts - in Taunton, Bridgwater, Bristol and Shepton Mallett - are preparing to supply the E85 biofuel under the Somerset Biofuel Project, an initiative which is seeking the "sustainable distribution of a locally grown, environmentally friendly fuel", according to Mr Hilton. While this type of project is just the start, Mr Buchanan expects they will be "driving the sustainability agenda". Environmentally friendly Bioethanol made from grain produces 65% fewer greenhouse gases than petrol, according to the UK government agency Central Science Laboratory. This is largely because the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the production and consumption of ethanol is "almost equal to that removed from the atmosphere when crops for conversion are being grown", according to Saab Great Britain. "One hectare of wheat produces about 29,000 miles of motoring, enough to take a car around the equator and still have 4,000 miles of fuel left," adds Green Spirit Fuels "The oil companies and the big car companies will be driven down this road by the consumer," says Mr Buchanan. Converted cars To a limited extent, it is happening already. Some supermarket forecourts already mix ordinary petrol or diesel with biofuels, so that 5% of what drivers put in their tanks is bioethanol made from plants or trees. And the practice is set to pick up pace after the government announced its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation last autumn, which states that 5% of all motorcar fuel must come from renewable sources by 2010. But in order to move beyond this 5% target, cars must go through a relatively cheap conversion that essentially involves replacing rubber seals and aluminium parts with materials that are not eroded by the bioethanol, explains Andy Taylor, Ford Europe's director of corporate citizenship. Both Ford and Saab have unveiled bioethanol-enabled models for the UK market, which can run on pure petrol, or any mixture of petrol and bioethanol up to 85%, if E85 is not available. Saab says its E85-enabled 9-5 Biopower, which costs just ?600 more than a standard 9-5, has the potential of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70% while at the same time improving the car's power. E85's higher octane rating adds 30bhp to the 150bhp turbocharged engine, and a 15% gain in fuel efficiency can be had at high speeds, said Kjell ac Bergstrom, chief executive, of Saab Automobile Powertrain. "Turbocharged engines are particularly well suited to the benefits of ethanol," Mr Bergstrom says. Potential profits Such confident swagger is turning heads in the world of finance, according to Graham Meeks of Climate Change Capital, a specialist merchant bank. "We're seeing an enormous amount of interest from investors in this sector," he says. "The outlook is fairly positive," Mr Meeks insists - even though "there is some way to go in improving yields from crops", and despite bioethanol remaining a more expensive option than petrol due to "the cost of technology and the cost of feed stock". In the near future, the biofuel industry can expect ever more support, both the government and from Brussels, as politicians look to both diversify fuel supply in order to improve fuel security, and to meet agreed reduction targets for carbon dioxide emissions, he predicts. "There is the capacity to mobilise capital to build infrastructure to produce and distribute biofuels, and once you get the scale, the cost will come down," Mr Meeks says. This is the first of two features exploring the rise of biofuel in the UK. The second feature, which will be published on Wednesday 18 January, will investigate what it will take for bioethanol to become a mainstream fuel, and who stands to profit from the process. From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Jan 16 12:34:35 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon Jan 16 12:34:37 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Local diesel mechanic recommendations Message-ID: Hey Folks! I am trying to compile a comprehensive list of diesel mechanics for people in the Triangle, North Carolina, and the Southeast. I know people have send in testimonies about certain mechanics before.... Can you please do that once again? If any of these people have experience or knowledge in biodiesel or vegetable based fuel systems, please make a note concerning that. Thanks, Rachel Burton Piedmont Biofuels www.biofuels.coop From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Jan 16 21:16:19 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon Jan 16 21:16:23 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Waste plastic from war a fuel resource? Message-ID: An Iowa firm shares a $3.3 million grant for work in the Battlefield Plastic Diesel project. By ANNE FITZGERALD REGISTER AGRIBUSINESS WRITER January 12, 2006 Biodiesel, a darling to fans of renewable fuels, may have a new source: spent plastic containers from the military's front line. An Iowa cooperative and a California company are teaming to explore whether biodiesel can dissolve the waste plastic. If so, the process would help with waste disposal, while also yielding fuel for trucks, tractors and other vehicles driven by diesel. West Central Cooperative in Ralston and San Diego-based General Atomics have received a $3.3 million federal grant for the three-year research effort ? the Battlefield Plastic Biodiesel project. The money was included in a Department of Defense appropriations bill approved late last week by Congress, and the companies learned of the funding for the pilot project earlier this week, according to an announcement issued Wednesday by West Central. General Atomics, established in 1955 as a division of General Dynamics, is a privately held company that develops high-tech systems for such diverse markets as manufacturers of unmanned surveillance aircraft and the nuclear fuels industry. West Central, one of Iowa's largest farmer-owned cooperatives, has been a leader in value-added agriculture, particularly in the burgeoning biodiesel industry. The company operates a biodiesel plant in Ralston, and it is joining with Todd & Sargent Co. in Ames to build or manage other plants. Biodiesel is typically made from recycled grease, slaughterhouse waste, soybeans and vegetable oils, then mixed with conventional diesel. Biodiesel accounts for 2 percent to 5 percent of formulated fuel. Biodiesel production is growing rapidly in Iowa and other farm states, fueled by high oil prices, new environmental rules and a $1-a- gallon government subsidy. At least 100 biodiesel plants are in operation or in various stages of planning and construction in 34 states, according to MARC-IV Consulting, a company that tracks the market for the National Biodiesel Board. When completed, the plants will be capable of producing more than 800 million gallons of biodiesel a year. There are 16 biodiesel plants in operation or proposed in Iowa. From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Jan 16 21:18:36 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon Jan 16 21:18:37 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Indiana: Naval Surface Warfare Center Recently Received First Load of Biodiesel Fuel Message-ID: <64C1759C-C771-4D2B-B46F-69D72A25C2A1@blast.com> Crane using biodiesel fuel By Halea Franklin, staff writer Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane division is helping the environment and the local economy as it recently received its first load of biodiesel fuel from the Indiana Soybean Board (ISB). The fuel mixture, which is 80 percent No. 2 diesel fuel and 20 percent soybean oil (B-20), will be used initially to power the Navy's fleet locomotives in support of ordnance operations for Crane's Army Ammunition Activity. Team Crane's future plans are to expand the use of B-20 to all diesel powered equipment operated on base. ?The Navy is thrilled to be working with the ISB to burn a cleaner, environmentally-friendly, American-made fuel,? said Commander John A. Kliem, Crane Public Works Officer. As an alternative fuel, B-20 is a renewable natural resource made from soybean that has the potential to reduce our nation's dependency on foreign oil. NSWC Public Relations Officer Sue Webster said the B-20 was purchased from the White River Co-op in Loogootee. It works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications and significantly reduces harmful emissions. It's currently being used year-round and in all weather conditions by individual customers and fleets. It can be used in a pure form - B-100 - but is more common in B-2, B-5 and B-20 blends. The number after the B refers to the percentage of biodiesel in the fuel. Currently, Indiana has 42 companies marketing biodiesel through 70 biodiesel stations. Approximately 400,000 gallons were sold last year, and it's expected that more than 4 million gallons will be sold this year. Over the past three years, Team Crane has been awarded and recognized for several conservation and environmental awards to include the Navy's prestigious Natural Resources Conservation Large Instillation Award. The ISB works to enhance the profitability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean check off funds. ISB is a pioneer in building new markets for soybeans, including through biodiesel, soy foods and other new international markets. ISB is made up of 36 elected farmer leaders who direct investments of the soybean check off funds on behalf of more than 28,000 Indiana soybean farmers. From tomjarrett at gmail.com Wed Jan 18 22:41:00 2006 From: tomjarrett at gmail.com (thomas m. jarrett) Date: Wed Jan 18 22:41:02 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Tax Incentive for clean burning fuel vehicles to increase in 2006 Message-ID: <43CF0A4C.9070106@alumni.unc.edu> I thought it might be useful for some of us as we get ready for 2005 taxes. best, tom The following is taken from the North Carolina State Employees Credit Union January 2006 Grassroots publication (http://www.ncsecu.org/Resources/Publications/PDF/Newsletters/0106.pdf) and is provided by Garland Avent is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the SECU Accounting staff. The material included is intended to be accurate; however, consultation with appropriate legal or accounting professionals for assistance is recommended. Tax Talk You may be eligible to claim up to a $2,000 tax deduction on your 2005 federal income tax return for having placed a clean fuel vehicle into service during the tax year. A clean fuel vehicle meets one of the following definitions: 1) a motor vehicle with property installed to enable it to be propelled by a clean burning fuel or 2) a motor vehicle made by an original manufacturer that is propelled by a clean burning fuel. The hybrid automobiles are included in this category. The list of manufacturers that offer hybrid automobiles include Ford, Honda, and Toyota. A maximum deduction from your gross income of $2,000 is available to taxpayers that purchase a qualified vehicle. (The deduction is limited to the cost of the vehicle.) You do not have to itemize deductions to receive the benefit of the deduction. However you are required to file your return on IRS Form 1040. The deduction is entered on line 35 of Form 1040. If you purchased a vehicle that qualifies as a clean fuel vehicle, you must also meet the following requirements to qualify for the deduction: 1) The vehicle must be acquired for your own use and not for resale. 2) You must be the original user of the vehicle. 3) The vehicle must satisfy federal or state emissions standards for each type of fuel that it uses or satisfy any federal and state emissions certification, testing, and warranty requirements that apply. 4) The vehicle cannot be non-qualifying. A non-qualifying vehicle is one that is used predominantly outside the United States, to furnish lodging, or used by certain tax exempt organizations, governmental units or foreign persons. The deduction is also available to clean fuel vehicles placed into service in the 2004 tax year. A deduction for a vehicle placed into service in 2004 cannot be taken on the 2005 tax return. Instead, the tax return for 2004 must be amended using form 1040X. If the vehicle ceases to qualify as a clean fuel property within three years from the date that it was placed into service the taxpayer must recapture the deduction by including all or a part of it in income. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is enhancing the benefit of purchasing a clean fuel vehicle in 2006. The $2,000 tax deduction will be replaced with a tax credit of up to $3,400 beginning in 2006. From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Jan 19 08:15:27 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu Jan 19 08:15:33 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Diesel Engine with mechanical fuel system meets Tier 3 References: <5.0.2.1.0.20060119080939.00c3e4e8@pop.netzero.net> Message-ID: <39F27D2E-A26D-4D8B-97F7-BE454F197059@blast.com> > > http://www.machinedesign.com/ASP/viewSelectedArticle.asp? > strArticleId=58411&strSite=MDSite&catId=0 The new 1140D Series diesel engine from Perkins Engines, Peterborough, England (www.perkins.com), uses a mechanical fuel- management system to meet Tier-3 emissions standards. No fuel-system electronics are required. From skepticbill at mac.com Tue Jan 17 10:09:51 2006 From: skepticbill at mac.com (Bill O'Luanaigh (.mac)) Date: Thu Jan 19 08:18:50 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Algae - scrubs smokestack waste and makes biodiesel? Message-ID: File under "hopeful". From the Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0111/p01s03-sten.html Algae - like a breath mint for smokestacks By Mark Clayton | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor BOSTON - Isaac Berzin is a big fan of algae. The tiny, single-celled plant, he says, could transform the world's energy needs and cut global warming. Overshadowed by a multibillion-dollar push into other "clean-coal" technologies, a handful of tiny companies are racing to create an even cleaner, greener process using the same slimy stuff that thrives in the world's oceans. Enter Dr. Berzin, a rocket scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. About three years ago, while working on an experiment for growing algae on the International Space Station, he came up with the idea for using it to clean up power-plant exhaust. If he could find the right strain of algae, he figured he could turn the nation's greenhouse-gas-belching power plants into clean-green generators with an attached algae farm next door. "This is a big idea," Berzin says, "a really powerful idea." And one that's taken him to the top - a rooftop. Bolted onto the exhaust stacks of a brick-and-glass 20-megawatt power plant behind MIT's campus are rows of fat, clear tubes, each with green algae soup simmering inside. Fed a generous helping of CO2-laden emissions, courtesy of the power plant's exhaust stack, the algae grow quickly even in the wan rays of a New England sun. The cleansed exhaust bubbles skyward, but with 40 percent less CO2 (a larger cut than the Kyoto treaty mandates) and another bonus: 86 percent less nitrous oxide. After the CO2 is soaked up like a sponge, the algae is harvested daily. From that harvest, a combustible vegetable oil is squeezed out: biodiesel for automobiles. Berzin hands a visitor two vials - one with algal biodiesel, a clear, slightly yellowish liquid, the other with the dried green flakes that remained. Even that dried remnant can be further reprocessed to create ethanol, also used for transportation. Being a good Samaritan on air quality usually costs a bundle. But Berzin's pitch is one hard-nosed utility executives and climate-change skeptics might like: It can make a tidy profit. "You want to do good for the environment, of course, but we're not forcing people to do it for that reason - and that's the key," says the founder of GreenFuel Technologies, in Cambridge, Mass. "We're showing them how they can help the environment and make money at the same time." GreenFuel has already garnered $11 million in venture capital funding and is conducting a field trial at a 1,000 megawatt power plant owned by a major southwestern power company. Next year, GreenFuel expects two to seven more such demo projects scaling up to a full pro- duction system by 2009. Even though it's early yet, and may be a long shot, "the technology is quite fascinating," says Barry Worthington, executive director of US Energy Association in Washington, which represents electric utilities, government agencies, and the oil and gas industry. One key is selecting an algae with a high oil density - about 50 percent of its weight. Because this kind of algae also grows so fast, it can produce 15,000 gallons of biodiesel per acre. Just 60 gallons are produced from soybeans, which along with corn are the major biodiesel crops today. Greenfuel isn't alone in the algae-to-oil race. Last month, Greenshift Corporation, a Mount Arlington, N.J., technology incubator company, licensed CO2-gobbling algae technology that uses a screen-like algal filter. It was developed by David Bayless, a researcher at Ohio University. A prototype is capable of handling 140 cubic meters of flue gas per minute, an amount equal to the exhaust from 50 cars or a 3-megawatt power plant, Greenshift said in a statement. For his part, Berzin calculates that just one 1,000 megawatt power plant using his system could produce more than 40 million gallons of biodiesel and 50 million gallons of ethanol a year. That would require a 2,000-acre "farm" of algae-filled tubes near the power plant. There are nearly 1,000 power plants nationwide with enough space nearby for a few hundred to a few thousand acres to grow algae and make a good profit, he says. Energy security advocates like the idea because algae can reduce US dependence on foreign oil. "There's a lot of interest in algae right now," says John Sheehan, who helped lead the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) research project into using algae on smokestack emissions until budget cuts ended the program in 1996. In 1990, Sheehan's NREL program calculated that just 15,000 square miles of desert (the Sonoran desert in California and Arizona is more than eight times that size) could grow enough algae to replace nearly all of the nation's current diesel requirements. "I've had quite a few phone calls recently about it," says Mr. Sheehan. "This is not an outlandish idea at all." From wrenchwench at blast.com Wed Jan 18 08:13:25 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu Jan 19 08:18:51 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] References: Message-ID: <49BAFF7B-A5F1-484B-BD95-FEB8D70A4AC9@blast.com> Apology for Cross-posting. If you are in Raleigh and are free tomorrow, come by Quail Ridge Books! > -------------- next part -------------- From newobjects at nc.rr.com Wed Jan 18 14:39:08 2006 From: newobjects at nc.rr.com (Toby Sarver) Date: Thu Jan 19 08:18:53 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Mainstream media finally gets it, energy independence Message-ID: <43CE995C.3070306@nc.rr.com> Folks, Check out this editorial in the New York Times entitled "Energy Impasse": http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/15/opinion/15sun1.html It discusses two international energy incidents, and makes the broader conclusion that we need to be energy independent, and not by more drilling. It says that Europeans are re-evaluating their dependence on Russia for natural gas, because of the dispute with the Ukraine. And Iran is continuing with its nuclear program, knowing that since it has the second largest oil reserves and second largest supply of natural gas, no one would dare attempt sanctions against it. Here are the last two paragraphs: "Clearly, becoming less dependent on foreign sources should be among the West's -- and most especially America's -- most urgent priorities. But not in the way that President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney seem to prefer, which is to try to drill our way out of dependency -- an utterly impossible task for a country that uses one-fourth of the world's oil while possessing only 3 percent of its reserves, and whose once-abundant supplies of natural gas are now severely stressed. A much better answer would be a national commitment to more efficient vehicles and to the rapid deployment of new energy sources like biofuels. "America cannot win President Bush's much-vaunted war on terrorism as long as it is sending billions of dollars abroad for oil purchases every day. It cannot establish democracy in the Middle East because governments rich in oil revenue do not want democracy. And it will never have the geopolitical leverage it needs as long as it is depends on unstable foreign sources for fuel." Check it out, --Toby Sarver Member of Piedmont Biofuels Coop (http://biofuels.coop) From symon at safenet-inc.com Thu Jan 19 08:45:14 2006 From: symon at safenet-inc.com (Jim Symon) Date: Thu Jan 19 08:47:49 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] exhaust algae Message-ID: <43CF97EA.6060104@safenet-inc.com> > Fed a generous helping of CO2-laden [smokestack] emissions... > the algae grow quickly...the algae is harvested daily. From > that harvest, a combustible vegetable oil is squeezed out: > biodiesel for automobiles... Then the automobile is completely encased in an algae-growing sheath to recycle its exhaust into biodiesel and the coal's carbon never reaches the atmosphere. Symon The information contained in this electronic mail transmission may be privileged and confidential, and therefore, protected from disclosure. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and deleting it from your computer without copying or disclosing it. From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Jan 19 09:16:00 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu Jan 19 10:38:48 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] U.S. Will Decode Soybean DNA to Ramp Up Biodiesel Production Message-ID: WASHINGTON, DC, January 17, 2006 (ENS) - Two U.S. federal government departments have joined forces to decode the DNA of the soybean as a prelude to using the bean to make biodiesel fuel. The sequencing of the soybean genome is the first project resulting from a new agreement between the Departments of Energy and Agriculture to share resources and coordinate the study of plant and microbial genomics. "This agreement demonstrates a joint commitment to support high- quality genomics research and integrated projects to meet the nation?s agriculture and energy challenges,? said Dr. Colien Hefferan, administrator of Agriculture Department's Cooperative State Research, Extension and Economics Service (CSREES), who signed the agreement for the USDA. s "Both agencies will leverage their expertise and synergize activities involving agricultural and energy related plants and microbes," said Dr. Ari Patrinos, associate director of science for biological and environmental research with the Energy Department. "We will enhance coordination of proposed sequencing projects through the Biological and Environmental Research Microbial Sequencing Program or the Joint Genome Institute's Community Sequencing Program," Patrinos said. Used around the world for food and animal feed, soybeans can be used to make biodiesel fuel. (Photo courtesy Park Seed) The soybean, Glycine max, is the world?s most valuable legume crop. It is of particular interest to the Energy Department because it is a source of biodiesel, a renewable fuel. Biodiesel has the highest energy content of any alternative fuel and is more environmentally friendly than comparable petroleum fuels, since it degrades rapidly in the environment. Biodiesel burns more cleanly than petroleum fuels, releasing only half of the pollutants and reducing the production of carcinogenic compounds by more than 80 percent. Over 3.1 billion bushels of soybeans were grown in the United States on nearly 75 million acres in 2004, with an estimated annual value exceeding $17 billion, second only to corn and about twice that of wheat. The Department of Energy said Monday that its Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek, California will be the lead facility in sequencing the soy genome. To date, the Institute has sequenced and released a total of 150 microbial organisms. Joint Genome Institute Director Eddy Rubin, M.D., Ph.D., said his institute is playing a key role in "translational genomics," that is, "applying the tools of DNA sequencing and molecular biology to contributing to the development of new avenues for clean energy generation and for crop improvement." Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek, California (Photo courtesy DOE) "Effective application of translational genomics to soybean requires detailed knowledge of the plant's genetic code," Rubin said. "With this starting material in hand, researchers in academia, industry and agriculture will be better positioned to optimize soybean for the broadest range of uses." The soybean genome is about 1.1 billion base pairs in size, less than half the size of the corn or human genomes. The DOE Joint Genome Institute, supported by the DOE Office of Science, unites the expertise of five national laboratories, Lawrence Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, and Pacific Northwest, along with the Stanford Human Genome Center to advance genomics in support of the DOE mission related to clean energy generation and environmental characterization and cleanup. The new partnership of the Energy and Agriculture Departments to undertake biotech development is part of a broad push by the federal government and private industry to move the country away from a petrolem based economy. Last week in Honolulu, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) hosted the first Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy to explore the third wave in biotechnology ? industrial and environmental biotechnology - the use of life science technologies to improve manufacturing processes. ?Biotechnology is creating a new industrial revolution based on biology instead of petroleum. As biotech processes replace old rust belt technologies, they are enabling a transformation from a petroleum-based economy to a biobased economy,? said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO?s Industrial and Environmental Section. But where bioindustrialists see a cleaner, greener world - environmentalists and many farmers see danger. They fear the patenting of life forms such as varieties of taro so they become the property of corporations. They fear that genetically modified organisms will escape into the environment from the many test fields across the country, and especially in Hawaii, which has more than any other state. Organic coffee from a farm on the Island of Hawaii. More field trials of genetically modified plants are taking place in Hawaii than in any other state. (Photo courtesy Organic Holidays) The Hawaii Organic Farmers Association has adopted a policy that seeks to ensure that liability for any external costs to individuals, and the environment caused by physical spillover effects, such as genetic contamination from pollen drift, must be borne by the manufacturers and distributors of genetically engineered products. Jim Greenwood, a former Pennsylvania Congressman and state senator, is president of BIO. He told ENS that he believes, "Biotechnology is the most transformational human endeavor, ever." "What could be anti-environmental about trying to figure out how to produce the energy that we all consume in a sustainable way that doesn't produce the greenhouse gas emissions that produce global warming? We're on the side of the angels on that one." "Biocompanies are all about trying to figure out to alter the way that we manufacture things using smart technology employing enzymes instead of some of the toxic chemicals that we have been using for decades," said Greenwood. Regardless of the concerns of organic farmers, the U.S. federal government is jumpstarting bioindustrial development with a new purchasing program. Authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill, the government has established an initial list of six biotech products that government agencies will purchase including urethane roof coatings, hydraulic fluids, diesel fuel additives, bedding and towels. Researchers other national labs are already at work developing bioindustrial products. Scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory are working with researchers at Archer Daniels Midland Company to make a separative bioreactor that efficiently turns sugar from corn into valuable chemicals. The technology could help bio-based chemicals replace large amounts of petrochemicals, helping reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, benefiting rural economies and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the lab says. The two year joint research effort will evaluate and optimize the production of gluconic acid using the separative bioreactor. Eventually, the technology could extend beyond gluconic acid to the production of a variety of organic acids and polyols, which form the chemical building blocks for plastics, pharmaceuticals and other consumer products. From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Jan 19 09:14:42 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu Jan 19 10:52:40 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] United States: Air Force Research Laboratory Develops Biofuel Powered Heated Vest Message-ID: <1E4B3688-EA35-4CF2-BD39-6E422038D550@blast.com> United States: Air Force Research Laboratory Develops Biofuel Powered Heated Vest Jan 19, 2006 - FuelCellWorks.com - Link to Story The Air Force Research Laboratory?s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/ML), in collaboration with Vacca Inc., and in consultation with the Army Natick Soldier Center, financed the development of a low-cost, lightweight heated vest. Using methanol or ethanol fuel, the vest provides enduring heat to military personnel. The heated vest enhances an individual?s agility in the field through a 50 percent reduction in cold weather gear. It aids a person?s ability to maintain normal body temperature in harsh winter environments. The technology revolutionizes weight and efficiency of the heated garment market. From william_stott at unc.edu Thu Jan 19 10:20:18 2006 From: william_stott at unc.edu (William Stott) Date: Thu Jan 19 16:07:29 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] discussion of peak oil w/Richard Heinberg Message-ID: <43CFAE32.4050704@unc.edu> I am not certain about his claims about biofuels, but I thought this was an interesting discussion. William *Q&A: Richard Heinberg* Kera Abraham, Eugene Weekly, 5 January 2006 Richard Heinberg is one of America's foremost experts on peak oil, the anticipated peak and decline of the global oil supply. Heinberg teaches courses on energy and sustainability at the New College of California, and is the author of The Party's Over: Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Societies and Power Down: Options and Actions for a Post-Carbon World **What's new in the peak oil conversation?** There's a discussion going on about whether the global oil production peak might have happened in the fourth quarter of 2005. There is more production capacity that will be coming online in the next few years, but will that be enough to offset declines from existing fields? We're seeing some of the world's largest oil fields going into decline, and if those decline rates are substantial, we can say that the world's oil is at peak right now. **What do you want the public to understand about peak oil?** This is a huge turning point for humanity. We need a real group effort to turn away from fossil fuels deliberately, collectively and in a coordinated way. Right now I'm working on the Oil Depletion Protocol, which was proposed by Colin Campbell, the founder of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil. The essence of it is, the oil-importing countries would agree to reduce their oil imports each year by the world depletion rate, which is about 2.6 percent. **How does climate change relate to peak oil?** Both oil depletion and climate change are consequences of our dependence on fossil fuels. So far, most [international] agreements have been to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. The Oil Depletion Protocol starts from a different premise: that we will have to reduce our oil usage simply because there isn't enough of the stuff. So it's not a question of whether we're going to do it; it's how we are going to do it. Are we going to do it in a cooperative way, or are we just going to let the market take care of it? The former strategy will result in the most survivable outcome. The consequences of the latter would be catastrophic. We'd see extreme competition for remaining oil supplies that would probably turn very ugly ? oil wars, terrorism and global economic collapse. **You?re describing different approaches from those who are primarily concerned with climate change and those who are focusing on oil depletion. Is there some tension between those two groups?** Unfortunately, there is some tension on the part of the global climate change people, and I?m a little disturbed by it. It diffuses our efforts. We?re all working toward the same goal, which is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. **Is it effective to examine one issue, climate change or peak oil, without the other?** In my view, climate change is the trump issue because we're not talking about the global economy; we're talking about the survival of millions of species. But climate change is theoretical and vague, and I think the problem of peak oil gets people's attention because it hits them in their pocketbooks. The Oil Depletion Protocol has something to offer the Kyoto Protocol, because it's a way of getting both the heavy users and the producing nations on board under the same terms. And Kyoto has something to offer the Oil Depletion Protocol, because if we all reduce our oil usage cooperatively and simultaneously, the temptation of many nations will be to substitute coal for oil, which would have a disastrous effect on the global climate. We need to have both protocols in place at the same time: the Oil Depletion Protocol and a strengthened version of Kyoto. **Would drilling in the Arctic Refuge change the peak oil picture?** On the global scale, it doesn?t change anything whatsoever, because we?re talking about a relatively small reservoir. For the U.S., it would reduce our imports fractionally ? maybe two to three million barrels a day, about 10 percent of our daily consumption ? for about 10 years. We?ve already had quite a lot of experience in Alaska, with Prudhoe Bay. The discovery took place in the 1970s and we exploited it all the way into the early 1990s. Production from Prudhoe Bay has already peaked and has dwindled dramatically. The same thing will happen with oil from ANWR. We use 20 million barrels a day in this country all together, and 60 percent of that is imported. Anyone who imagines that we can become energy independent in this country by drilling is completely deluded. **Can alternative auto fuels like biodiesel help wean us off oil?** They could be helpful on a small scale, but we have to understand that biofuels require agricultural production, and so ultimately they're going to be competing for land with food production. I think that for emergency vehicles and farm equipment, on a small scale, it's a good idea. But I see a real danger here: If transportation fuels become so expensive that it's a better money-maker for farmers to grow fuel than it is to grow food, then we could have millions of people starving so that a few thousand people can drive their SUVs. **And it takes a lot of energy to grow vegetable-based fuels.** That?s right. All of our industrial agriculture today is heavily fuel-dependent. We use natural gas to produce chemical fertilizers, and then we run our tractors and combines and spreaders and so on with gasoline and diesel fuel. And then the food, of course, is processed and transported long distances using oil. So in general, it takes 10 calories of fossil fuel energy to produce one calorie of food energy. We?re still looking at a situation in which one species, humankind, would be appropriating even more biological productivity from the global ecosystem. And we?re already appropriating about 40 percent of all of the biological productivity on Planet Earth just for human use. **Why did we get so dependent on oil in the first place?** Petroleum has been practically free energy. A single gallon of gasoline is the equivalent of weeks of human labor in energy terms. Previously, you had to actually work for your energy. Suddenly somebody came up with this stuff that gives us so much benefit, and it?s so cheap and easy to get out of the ground, that of course we became dependent on it. It?s totally understandable. But we?re getting to the point where we can say that nevertheless, there are some serious costs associated with that. The benefits are starting to go away and the costs are starting to add up. **Would the ****U.S.**** be able to maintain its superpower status if we decreased our oil use?** I don't think so, ultimately, but should one nation in the world be setting the terms of negotiation for everyone else? Of course, that's a different kind of discussion. That's not just physics; that's politics. **Can we talk about peak oil without getting political?** Ultimately, no. And that's what the Oil Depletion Protocol does: It puts all nations on the same footing by asking all nations to reduce their fossil fuel consumption by the same percentage. Over time, that reduces the inequality between nations. Because right now, America's economic and military prowess is really based upon the fact that we are able to use vastly more fossil fuels than any other country. If you take away that fossil fuel subsidy gradually, over time you end up with a very different world. **Can a globalized economy operate without fossil fuels?** I think the answer is probably no, but if the answer is yes, then not to the same degree that we see globalization occurring today. Transportation will become more expensive as fossil fuels become more scarce, so we'll have to look at re-localizing economic activity wherever we can. The main focus of our strategy should be reducing demand. That means re-designing our cities so that people can use public transportation, bicycles and other human-powered vehicles. And it means re-shaping our food systems so that there's less reliance on fossil fuels. Just about every aspect of modern life needs to be re-thought so that we use less. But realistically, even the cities that are furthest ahead on this are just starting. **You say if we don?t plan for peak oil cooperatively, it will happen catastrophically. What would that look like?** Prices would become extremely volatile. It would become impossible for nations, communities and industries to plan their futures. We?d see airlines and car manufacturers going bankrupt, whole economies collapsing, third-world nations unable to maintain their economies. We?de see vastly increased competition for what oil remains and a strong likelihood of conflicts breaking out between countries like the United States and China. We?d see more civil conflict happening in oil-producing countries like Nigeria and probably some South American countries. It?s a very ugly picture. **Do you think that the Bush administration understands the concept of peak oil?** Absolutely. There's no doubt about that. When Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton, he made a speech to the Petroleum Institute back in 1999, and he said that the world would have a very difficult time supplying enough petroleum to meet demand by the year 2010. So it's clear that he understands the situation. The CIA has been studying peak oil since the 1970s, and we have clear documentary evidence about that. **Has peak oil driven the ****U.S.****'s involvement in the ****Middle East****?** Unquestionably. As soon as the U.S.'s oil production peaked in 1970, it was clear that this country would become more and more dependent on oil imports, or we would have to wean ourselves off oil. President Jimmy Carter advised us to reduce our dependence on oil, but we chose the other path, and we've increased our dependency on oil imports ever since then. That carries a geo-political cost; it means that we have to ensure the availability of those supplies. And so since 1970, the U.S. has shown greater and greater interest in the political affairs of the Middle East. **How do you respond to people who don't take peak oil seriously?** I think we need to focus primarily on policy-makers, and not try to get all of the folks who are at home watching television, eating pizza and drinking beer to sit up and start talking about peak oil. We need to get city councils, county boards of supervisors, people at the state level, and also prime ministers and presidents to look at this situation seriously, because they're responsible for other people's lives. We could see Hurricane Katrina coming for days and hundreds of miles away. Peak oil is the same thing; we can see it coming. The question is, are we going to do anything about it? **What kinds of questions should the leaders of Eugene be asking about peak oil?** Where does your water come from? Where does your food come from? How reliant on fossil fuels are you? All of the basic services that are provided for us by municipalities are energy-dependent. How do you keep emergency vehicles running if you can't afford fuel? You folks in Eugene should be working with your local power utility to start making some good choices about where your energy is going to come from. There's no free lunch here. Every energy source has economic and environmental implications. We have to study those and find our way through the thicket of tradeoffs as best we can. The "Emerald" also included a four and half minute slide show from the talk. http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2006/01/05/news1.html -- Dr. William R. Stott, III Director, Albemarle Ecological Field Site 401 Devon Street Manteo, NC 27954 (252) 473-2925 Research Professor, Carolina Environmental Program CB#1105 Miller Hall University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1105 (919) 966-9926 william_stott@unc.edu http://www.cep.unc.edu/outreach/manteo.html From dentonconrad at netzero.net Fri Jan 20 10:28:02 2006 From: dentonconrad at netzero.net (Denton Conrad) Date: Fri Jan 20 10:28:34 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Friend looking for favorite equipment vendors Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.0.20060120102437.01c92c00@pop.netzero.net> Friend looking for favorite equipment vendors - I send an email to Lee quite a while ago about biodiesel and he got so excited, he is making his own. If any of you have favorite equipment or supply vendors, please pass along to Lee at the email shown. Denton >Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 09:58:56 -0500 >From: "lgoldberg" > >And BTW, I have just started putting together a biodiesel brewing system >with a friend and hope to have it running in a month or so. He's sone some >small test batches with good results so I look forward to running my diesel >Jetta wagon on a partially "vegetarian" diet by summer. If you have any >equipment or supply vendors which you are especially fond of, feel free to >pass them along. > >LEE From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Jan 23 12:03:19 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon Jan 23 12:03:30 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Biodiesel Leaders Request Enhanced QC Measures in MN Message-ID: The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and the Minnesota Biodiesel Council (MBC) presented an action plan last week to the Minnesota Department of Commerce for increasing quality control (QC) measures and ensuring that only "high-grade" biodiesel is released into the state's diesel fuel pool. NBB noted that Minnesota law requires the state's diesel fuel supply to contain a blend of two percent biodiesel. In December, NBB said it was confirmed that some biodiesel failing to meet the specification was delivered to certain area terminals, while incidents of filter plugging were also reported. NBB and MBC worked with state agencies and petroleum companies in determining that out-of-spec biodiesel was responsible for at least some of the filter plugging. "Although investigations have indicated that other factors unrelated to biodiesel may have led to at least some of the filter plugging reports in Minnesota, there's no question that off-spec biodiesel can have a severe reaction in cold weather, even in low blends," said NBB technical director Steve Howell. "There's no room for poor-quality biodiesel in the marketplace." According to NBB, the recommendations include calling for all biodiesel producers to become accredited under BQ-9000, the industry's quality assurance program. Additionally, NBB and MBC urge the Minnesota Department of Commerce to ramp up enforcement, suspending and/or fining producers who sell out-of-spec biodiesel. Contact: Jenna Higgins, NBB, phone 573-635-3893, website http://www.biodiesel.org. From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Jan 23 12:07:06 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon Jan 23 12:07:02 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Biodiesel Industries Wins Patent for Modular Production Unit Message-ID: <5A8554B6-58B3-46B8-A9DA-5329719F7620@blast.com> Biodiesel Industries, Inc. recently announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded the company a patent for the production of biodiesel fuel using a modular production unit (MPU) incorporated onto a single platform for ease of installation and relocating if desired, as well as several particular aspects of the design for collecting and processing a variety of feedstocks, including virgin, crude and recycled vegetable oils and animal fats. According to Biodiesel Industries, the advantage of the new design is that it is faster and less expensive to prefabricate biodiesel production equipment at a central location and then deploy it to the area where it will be operated. The company noted that the MPUs are designed to be transported by truck, rail or ship anywhere in the world. The next-generation MPU is currently being developed for a facility to be located in Detroit, MI in collaboration with NextEnergy, DaimlerChrysler, Bosch and the U.S. Army. The focus of the joint venture facility will be to produce and market biodiesel and support research through the core group, as well as ensure the compatibility of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment for the next generation of diesel vehicles and biodiesel likely to be encountered globally. Contact: Russell Teall, Biodiesel Industries, phone 805-683-8103, website http://www.biodieselindustries.com. From warren.oly at gmail.com Tue Jan 24 10:13:55 2006 From: warren.oly at gmail.com (warren neth) Date: Tue Jan 24 13:12:34 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] fryer oil extenders? Problems? Message-ID: <1D7B2781-D1DC-43EA-812F-470E5B53EE20@gmail.com> Hey folks, Has anyone had, or read studies that point to Oil Additives or Extenders effecting the quality of Biodiesel produced? Anyone have specific resources they'd point me toward on WVO rendering? Thanks, warren Olympia, WA. From wrenchwench at blast.com Tue Jan 24 15:42:56 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Tue Jan 24 15:42:46 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] CRA, Carolinas Recycling Association- NEWS RELEASE References: <8D15541F2E16C84B8BE05C60FF5F03890C0D52@exchange.sys.p2pays.org> Message-ID: Begin forwarded message: > NEWS RELEASE > January 24, 2006 > Contact: Lisa Frase > Carolinas Recycling Association > PO Box 1578 > Pittsboro, NC 27312 > (919) 545-9050 > lisaf@cra-recycle.org > > > Raleigh Recycling Conference Features Open House > > Raleigh, NC?The Carolinas Recycling Association will host an open > house for businesses during its 16th Annual Conference and Trade > Show, to be held March 21-24 at the Hilton North Raleigh. This > year?s conference, ?Recycling: A Capital Idea? will highlight > recent legislative and economic developments that are positively > impacting recycling opportunities in the Carolinas. > > Local businesses are invited to attend the Open Houses on March 22 > from 1:30-4:30 PM and March 23 from 8:00-11:30 AM. Participants > will enjoy the opportunity to interact with 90 exhibitors from all > sectors of the recycling industry. Complimentary passes must be > requested in advance from the Carolinas Recycling Association > office in Pittsboro, NC. Contact Lisa Frase at (919) 545-9050 to > obtain a pass or to register for the full conference. > > The Carolinas Recycling Association holds the largest and most > prestigious conference of all gatherings held by the 35 state-based > recycling associations. The annual conference attracts > approximately 450 attendees from more than 25 states. > > For more information, visit www.cra-recycle.org. > > Lisa Frase > CRA Project Administrator > 910-494-4154 Mobile - NEW > > Save the date for the CRA 16th Annual Conference & Trade Show > scheduled for March 21-24, 2006 at The Raleigh North Hilton in > Raleigh, NC. > > > Conference SPONSORS > > Titanium - NC DPPEA, SC DHEC > > Platinum - Ensley Corporation, FCR, Inc., Recover Inc., Waste > Management Recycle America > > Gold - Atlantic Scrap & Processing, LLC, Pratt Industries USA > > Silver - L.P. Wire Tie Systems, StateLine Scrap Metal Recycling Inc. > > Bronze - Curbside Management, S.E.W.E. > > From wrenchwench at blast.com Tue Jan 24 15:45:42 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Tue Jan 24 15:45:36 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: The Energy Policy Act of 2005-Presentation January 31, 2006 References: Message-ID: Begin forwarded message: > > www.vsbn.org > > > Following our lunchtime speaker we will have an explanation of the > progress of the state energy and green building legislation under > review by the Virginia General Assembly > -------------- next part -------------- > > > The Board of Directors of > Virginia Sustainable Building Network > Cordially Invites You to Attend > a VSBN Presentation on > > > > > > The Energy Policy Act of 2005 > > > > > > January 31, 2006 > 9AM-2PM > The Boar’s Head Inn > Charlottesville, Virginia > > > > > Confirmed Speakers > > > > Beth Shearer > Beth Shearer and Associates, Inc > (Former Director, U. S. Department of Energy > Federal Energy Management Program) > “The Energy Policy Act Impact on the Federal Level” > > > > Steve Capanna > Alliance to Save Energy > “New Energy Efficiency Incentives for > Commercial and Residential Buildings” > > > > Rick Handley > Northeast Biomass Program > Coalition of Northeastern Governors > “The Future of Biomass Programs” > > > > Luncheon Guest Speaker > > > > Mark Ginsberg > Board of Directors > Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program > U.S. Department of Energy > “The Energy Act and Beyond” > > > > Click Here to register for this event > -------------- next part -------------- > SPONSORS: Artisan Construction, Inc., Charlottesville Waldorf > Foundation, DPR Construction, Inc., HermanMiller, Pepco Energy > Services, 2rw Consultants > > > FEBRUARY 1st, 2006 > > The Central Virginia Chapter of the > > Construction Specification Institute > > Presents the > > Fourteenth Annual > > Product Expo & Educational Seminars > > At the Doubletree Hotel, Charlottesville, VA > > There is no fee for the Exhibit Hall or Seminars > > For more information visit www.csicentralva.org > > Or call Charles Hendricks 434-979-5245 > > > > > > > > > > > From wrenchwench at blast.com Wed Jan 25 10:13:56 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Wed Jan 25 10:14:04 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Renewable Energy Class starts tonight! Message-ID: <50739260-0A60-454C-B183-3DE50ECD2025@blast.com> CCCC's Biofuels program presents the Introduction to Renewable Energy Taught by Dr. Jack Martin of NC A&T and Appalachian State. Class is held Wednesday evenings from 6-9 PM at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro, NC To register call Ramona at (919) 542-6495 ext. 223. This course will explore the basics of various types of renewable energy sources and applications: Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal, Micro-hydro, Biofuels, Wind Power, hybrid technologies, and more. Students will gain hands-on experience and visit local demonstration sites utilizing renewable energy. From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Jan 26 09:01:53 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu Jan 26 09:01:43 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] DaimlerChrysler Expands Use of Biodiesel in Pickup Trucks Message-ID: DaimlerChrysler recently announced it has approved use of B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent standard petroleum diesel, for use in its Dodge Ram pickup trucks. According to the automaker, use of the alternative fuel is approved effective with the 2007 model year and will require use of biodiesel that meets fuel specifications established by the U.S. military. Initially, DaimlerChrysler is approving use of B20 in Dodge Ram pickups equipped with Cummins diesel engines for its military, government and commercial fleet customers only. The company is working with the government, automotive suppliers, energy providers, universities and independent agencies on a national fuel standard that would make B20 an option for all owners of Dodge Ram diesels. Contact: DaimlerChrysler, website http://www.daimlerchrysler.com. From biodiesel at yovo.info Thu Jan 26 09:21:32 2006 From: biodiesel at yovo.info (Jurgen Henn) Date: Thu Jan 26 09:21:39 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] biodiesel recipe in Spanish Message-ID: <43D8DAEC.6000408@yovo.info> Hola, amigos! any Spanish speakers in the house? I found this biodiesel test-batch recipe, and it seems OK, but my Spanish knowledge is too marginal: http://www.biodiesel-uruguay.com/biodiesel_casero.php Can you recommend a Spanish biodiesel homebrewing web resource? Gracias, Jurgen -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jurgen Henn 2002 Jetta TDI 40/50 MPG on biodiesel http://words.yovo.info/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Jan 26 09:22:57 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu Jan 26 09:22:49 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Ethanol article Message-ID: <068FB884-F1AD-4566-8552-4354F3097B0F@blast.com> How to beat the high cost of gasoline. Forever. Ethanol is the answer to the energy dilemma. It's clean and green and runs in today's cars. By Adam Lashinsky, FORTUNE senior writer January 24, 2006: 3:02 PM EST SAN FRANCISCO (FORTUNE) - General Motors will take the occasion of the Winter Olympics in Italy to begin telling Americans about a topic that has nothing to do with skiing or bobsledding. Believe it or not, the once-great automaker will stake its position as a friend of the environment and as a promoter of ethanol, specifically a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline called E85. One could question GM's timing on a lot of things. Pay attention to the message though. GM (Research) is onto something really big, namely how we as a country can finally begin weaning ourselves off gasoline. Sure, ethanol calls to mind images of Jimmy Carter in a cardigan. But things have changed since the 1970s, when an oil-shocked president turned to agribusiness to create a homegrown alternative to gasoline. Instead of coming exclusively from corn or sugar cane as it has up to now, thanks to biotech breakthroughs, the fuel can be made out of everything from prairie switchgrass and wood chips to corn husks and other agricultural waste. This biomass-derived fuel is known as cellulosic ethanol. Whatever the source, burning ethanol instead of gasoline reduces carbon emissions by more than 80 percent while eliminating entirely the release of acid-rain-causing sulfur dioxide. Even the cautious Department of Energy predicts that ethanol could put a 30 percent dent in America's gasoline consumption by 2030. We may not have to wait that long. After decades of being merely an additive to gasoline, ethanol suddenly looks to be the stuff of a fuel revolution -- and a pipe dream for futurists. An unlikely alliance of venture capitalists, Wall Streeters, automakers, environmentalists, farmers and politicians is doing more than just talk about ethanol's potential. They're putting real money into biorefineries, car engines that switch effortlessly between gasoline and biofuels, and R&D to churn out ethanol more cheaply. (By the way, the reason motorists don't know about the five-million-plus ethanol- ready cars and trucks on the road is that until now Detroit never felt the need to tell them. Automakers quietly added the flex-fuel feature to get a break from fuel-economy standards.) What's more, powerful political lobbies in Washington that never used to concern themselves with botanical affairs are suddenly focusing on ethanol. "Energy dependence is America's economic, environmental and security Achilles' heel," says Nathanael Greene of the Natural Resources Defense Council, a mainstream environmental group. National-security hawks agree. Says former CIA chief James Woolsey: "We've got a coalition of tree huggers, do-gooders, sodbusters, hawks and evangelicals." (Yes, he did say "evangelicals" -- some have found common ground with greens in the notion of environmental stewardship.) The next five years could see ethanol go from a mere sliver of the fuel pie to a major energy solution in a world where the cost of relying on a finite supply of oil is way too high. As that happens, says Vinod Khosla, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who has become one of the nation's most influential ethanol advocates, "I'm absolutely convinced that without putting any more land under agriculture and without changing our food production, we can introduce enough ethanol in the U.S. to replace the majority of our petroleum use in cars and light trucks." Ethanol has already transformed one major economy: In Brazil nearly three-quarters of new cars can burn either ethanol or gasoline, whichever happens to be cheaper at the pump, and the nation has weaned itself off imported oil. Not only does Brazil no longer have to import oil but an estimated $69 billion that would have gone to the Middle East or elsewhere has stayed in the country and is revitalizing once-depressed rural areas. More than 250 mills have sprouted in southeastern Brazil, and another 50 are under construction, at a cost of about $100 million each. So the question is, can something similar happen in the United States? For the first time, the answer seems to be yes, if only because so many factors are going right simultaneously. High oil prices, low corn prices, and a shooting war in the Middle East (as opposed to merely saber-rattling embargoes) all have given new momentum to the biofuels moment. Government mandates have helped too. What it really comes down to, however, are attitudes. This is true at big companies and even among oil-industry thinkers who don't even think we're running out of oil. Says Beth Lowry, GM's vice president for energy and environment: "People's perception used to be 'The agricultural lobby is very interested in it.' Now people are waking up and saying, 'This isn't just about the Midwest. This is about the U.S. as a whole.'" Adds Daniel Yergin, one of the country's top energy experts: "I don't think I've seen so many kinds of renewable energy fermenting and bubbling as right now. The very definition of oil is broadening." From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Jan 30 22:02:52 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon Jan 30 22:02:30 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: Position available to work on Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Project at NC Solar Center/NCSU References: Message-ID: Begin forwarded message: > > Brief Description > > > > The NC Solar Center at North Carolina State University is seeking a > Transportation Extension Specialist to help administer a three year > Clean Fuel Advanced Technology grant program that will fund > emission reducing, transportation related projects in eligible NC > Counties. Specialist will also work to establish additional > transportation related projects through proposal and project > development, marketing, technical, and policy analysis. > > > > The candidate should have exemplary organizational skills to > organize ideas, proposals, events, and other activities. The > position requires significant initiative to manage projects and > excellent analytical skills. Emission calculations and comparisons > are important. > > > > Salary Range: $34,000-$46,000 > > > > Minimum Requirements: Degree in Environmental Science/ Studies, > Engineering, Policy, Administration and related experience > > > > Position Description: Transportation Extension Specialist/Clean > Fuel Advanced Technology Coordinator > > > > The Transportation Extension Specialist will work closely with the > Alternative Fuel Program Manager at the North Carolina Solar Center > (NCSC) to administer the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Project > (CFAT). The three year CFAT project will provide grants to > implement emission reducing, transportation related projects in > eligible NC counties. The position requires the candidate to be > knowledgeable of technical, policy and marketing issues related to > alternative transportation fuels and advanced technologies with a > focus on emission reduction, energy efficiency and fuel diversity. > Specific duties will include: > > > > ? Help develop the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) > program. The NC Solar Center is being awarded $2 million by the NC > Department of Transportation (DOT), NC Department of Administration > State Energy Office (SEO) and the NC Department of Environment and > Natural Resources Division of Air Quality (DAQ) to develop and > administer a sub award grant program for transportation related > projects that will reduce emissions in eligible counties across the > State. > > > > ? Assist with administering sub award grants. Tasks entail > developing a database and tracking sub award contracts, processing > reimbursement requests and tracking project progress to ensure that > funds are spent correctly and in a timely manner. CFAT will be a > reimbursement program. Approved applicants will expend funds first > and will then seek reimbursement from the NCSC. The NCSC will then > invoice NCDOT, SEO and DAQ for reimbursement. > > > > ? Develop emissions reduction calculations for potential > and approved CFAT funded projects. Eligible project include: > alternative fuel vehicles, alternative fuel refueling > infrastructure, idle reduction technologies, diesel oxidation > catalysts, particulate filters, hybrid electric buses etc. Assist > applicants with quantifying emissions reductions. Perform tasks > associated with calculating cost versus emission benefit of > proposed and approved technology applications. Interpret > transportation emissions quantifications; synthesize data into a > ?user friendly? format to aggregate emissions comparisons and > benefits. > > > ? Assist with planning conferences and workshops about > eligible CFAT technologies. Help establish and promote annual > Mobile Clean Air Renewable Energy (CARE) awards to recognize > leaders in the alternative fuel advanced transportation technology > field > > > > ? Understand the air quality regulatory arena- ie State > Implementation Plan, Transportation Conformity, federal and state > fuel and mobile emission standards, etc. Understand related federal > and state legislation. > > > > ? Develop informational and marketing materials. Work on > developing print and web based resources. > > > > ? Provide outreach and technical assistance to CFAT > applicants and others seeking assistance in developing alternative > fuel/ advanced transportation technologies. > > > > ? Write technical and narrative reports as required by > funding agencies for CFAT program > > > > ? Help develop and administer additional related proposals. > > > > > > IV. Qualifications: > > > > The Clean Fuel Advanced Technology coordinator position requires a > comprehensive understanding of alternative fuels, advanced > transportation technologies and a working knowledge of related > state and federal policies. The candidate should have experience in > emissions calculations and comparisons for the transportation > sector. The candidate should have exemplary organizational skills > to organize ideas, proposals, events, and other activities. The > position must have significant initiative to manage projects and > excellent analytical skills. Strong writing and communication > skills are essential. The candidate must be a team player yet > possesses a strong initiative to work independently on projects and > programs. The position requires a minimum of a Bachelor?s Degree in > Engineering, Environmental Studies/Science, Policy, Administration > or a similar field and at least two years of professional > experience in alternative fuels or related arena. > > ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY > More information and application available at: > > > > https://jobs.ncsu.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp? > time=1138654712710 > > click on Search posting and enter position ( EPV) number > > Position Title: Extension Specialist > > EPV Number: 04-72-0501 > > > > > > https://jobs.ncsu.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp? > time=1138652311054 > > > > > > > > Anne Tazewell > > Transportation Program Manager > > North Carolina Solar Center/NCSU > > Box 7902 > > Raleigh, NC 27695-7902 > > Phone: 919-513-7831 > > Fax: 919-515-6159 > > Email: anne_tazewell@ncsu.edu > > > > Visit www.NCAltfuels.blogspot.com - > > a forum for alternative fuels and advanced transportation > technologies in North Carolina > > > > > > > > > > > > > > From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Jan 30 16:23:57 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon Jan 30 22:05:23 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Piedmont Biofuels Ships Biodiesel Blend Message-ID: <2364DDFE-ECAC-4C20-B7B8-FCDF92D9A912@blast.com> January 30, 2006 Piedmont Biofuels Ships Biodiesel Blend For the first time since opening its B100 fuel terminal in Pittsboro, Piedmont Biofuels had its first ever petroleum hauler stop by for a fill. "Normally all that goes out of here is B100, or B99.9," said Lyle Estill, Piedmont's V.P. "We dropped a thousand gallons into a three thousand gallon load, which will make for a B25 blend upon delivery." -------------- next part -------------- The customer, Brooks Contracting, entered the hauling business as a sideline to its renown composting business. Dean Brooks already runs one of the largest composting operations on the eastern seaboard, which means he has been in the "environmental" business for years. "Dean has been a valuable partner of Piedmont Biofuels for a long time," said Leif Forer, who operated the terminal. "Now that he has his tanker on the road, we will be able to ship some blends into the world." Eighteen wheelers are not unusual at Piedmont's B100 terminal, except they are usually just delivering trailers full of biodiesel. "Most of our outbound fuel leaves in small tank trucks for the B100 Community Trail, or to customers who have their own petroleum infrastructure," said Forer. "Seeing a big rig leave for the world of blends is gratifying," he said. "We have received a lot of requests for petroleum blends," said Estill, "but until now we haven't had a good way of projecting anything with petroleum in it." Piedmont has been in talks with petroleum marketers for years, but their unusual position of handling only biodiesel has made for a difficult fit. Biodiesel is a clean burning renewable fuel that is made in America. For more information about the fuel see www.biofuels.coop. From luxurious at earthlink.net Tue Jan 31 09:16:45 2006 From: luxurious at earthlink.net (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Luc_Su=E8r?=) Date: Tue Jan 31 09:16:25 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] For Sale: MB 190D 2.5 Turbo SVO In-Reply-To: <2364DDFE-ECAC-4C20-B7B8-FCDF92D9A912@blast.com> References: <2364DDFE-ECAC-4C20-B7B8-FCDF92D9A912@blast.com> Message-ID: <4f6f99bc00c768417f355c3983bd3642@earthlink.net> Dear all, I'm selling my 1987, MB 190D 2.5 Turbo that has been outfitted with a "Greasecar" (2-tank) conversion system. 38mpg on SVO or diesel! It is a great car that I enjoy driving but don't really need next to our 300TD...... It has 220K miles on it. The body is in good condition, engine is strong, no smoke. Transmission has been rebuilt 4 months ago. New exhaust, new brakes and rotors, new auxiliary belt, Euro headlights, K&N air filter etc. Asking $5,200 give me a shout if you're interested to take it for a spin. best, Luc From wrenchwench at blast.com Tue Jan 31 22:29:11 2006 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Tue Jan 31 22:28:58 2006 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: Article from Tampa fl newspaper References: <354CA61AEBC6D944B4268F04D429FD868A0F8F@NT000836.oak.zone1.progress-energy.com> Message-ID: Begin forwarded message: > > > By Will Rodgers - Tampa Tribune > Published Jan. 31, 2006 > Soaring energy costs and flagging profitability are driving > Florida's agriculture industry to think about switching gears and > planting crops that could produce fuel rather than food. > > The move adds steam to momentum building in Tallahassee to turn > Florida into an energy-producing state by creating ethanol, a fuel > made from plants that can be blended with gasoline to power > automobiles while cutting emissions and burning less oil-based fuel. > > A loosely coordinated group of politicians, farmers, scientists and > entrepreneurs are pushing ethanol as a fuel that can deliver > consumers what the group is calling the four E's: economic benefits > through high-paying jobs, environmental benefits through cleaner- > burning fuel, energy security by lessening dependence on foreign > oil, and engine performance. > > "Ethanol is a viable alternative that is here today, that people > have to importing oil from the Middle East," said Bradley M. Krohn, > president and managing member of U.S. EnviroFuels LLC, which plans > to build ethanol-producing plants at ports in Tampa and Manatee > County. "It's a homegrown American fuel." > > Ethanol has been produced in the United States, mostly in the > Midwest, for more than 30 years. About 94 ethanol plants produce > about 4 billion gallons of the fuel, mostly from corn, each year. > > But ethanol production still represents just a fraction of what the > U.S. needs because the country uses more than 180 billion gallons > of gasoline every year. That's expected to change. President Bush, > who is expected to talk about alternative fuels in tonight's annual > State of the Union speech to Congress, has called for the > agriculture industry to produce 25 percent of the nation's energy > by 2025. > > Ethanol Plants Slated For State > Krohn plans to break ground in the third or fourth quarter of this > year on plants that could start producing 40 million gallons of > ethanol by late 2007. Each plant could cost between $70 million and > $80 million, he said. > > Krohn, a former scientist for Monsanto Co., said he chose to build > in Florida because it is a state that burns a lot of gasoline. > Florida consumers use about 7 1/2 billion gallons of gasoline each > year, according to the Florida Solar Energy Center near Orlando. > > "Florida is the third-largest consumer of gasoline in the country," > he said. "Roughly half the state's gasoline comes through the Port > of Tampa." > > Charles H. Bronson, commissioner of the Florida Department of > Agriculture, has started a program called Farm-to-Fuel, an effort > to keep Florida's farmers farming and keep the state's millions of > agricultural acres from turning into houses and shopping centers. > > Agriculture is Florida's second-largest industry behind tourism. > The agriculture industry produces an estimated $62 billion in the > state's economy. Much of that comes from citrus, sugar cane, > vegetable crops and plant nurseries. > > More than 10 million acres of the state's 35 million acres are > devoted to agriculture, according to the Department of Agriculture. > > "There's a two- or three-fold issue: saving the agriculture > industry and, two, trying to keep as much open space through > agriculture without losing it to development," Bronson said. > > "And, of course, we need another homegrown fuel source. We've been > relying too long on foreign oil and other fuels. I think that puts > us in jeopardy." > > Energy Costs Hurting Farmers > Pat Cockrell, executive director of the Florida Farm Bureau, said > the skyrocketing cost of energy, especially natural gas, is hurting > profitability for Florida farmers. The industry is looking for > alternative crops to plant to make money, he said. > > In 2005, some citrus processors refused to process pulp for cattle > feed because the price of natural gas used was just too high, > Cockrell said. That's potential income for processors and growers > simply washing into the waste stream, he said. > > "Growers are losing out because of that," Cockrell said. > Cockrell said he called Bronson and asked for a meeting with > officials from the Department of Agriculture and scientists at the > University of Florida to discuss growing crops that can be used to > produce ethanol. > > Corn, sorghum, wheat and other grain crops can be used to produce > sugars that eventually can be turned into ethanol. Cockrell said it > likely would not be economical for Florida farmers to grow corn > because it requires a lot of water. > > However, his group is studying whether there are tax breaks or > other incentives from the federal or state government that might > make it possible for farmers to grow crops for ethanol. > > So far, most farmers, such as sugar cane growers, are waiting to > see whether a market develops. Sugar cane can be a good source for > ethanol. But right now, the economic value is in selling sugar, not > fuel, experts said. > > Lonnie Ingram, a UF professor and director of the Florida Center > for Renewable Chemicals and Fuels, said Florida is the perfect > state for producing crops to turn into ethanol. > > "Florida is probably the best state to benefit from that industry," > he said. > Ingram said anything from corn to yard waste could be used to make > ethanol. While some materials require more steps than others, it is > still possible and cheaper than the cost of creating gasoline from > crude oil, he said. > > Ethanol is selling between $1.20 and $1.50 a gallon, Ingram said. > Gasoline is selling for more than $2 a gallon, and up to $3 a > gallon in some parts of the country, he said. > > "Every ethanol plant that we build that is economically viable will > be good for us," Ingram said. "I think, really, we need to build > some plants."