From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Feb 1 17:50:43 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 17:50:43 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] THE 4th ANNUAL NORTH CAROLINA SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE March 7-8, 2007 Message-ID: <1A6D5A1F-8BBE-4502-94B3-A9EBCFF104A7@blast.com> Just in case you had missed the previous notices and announcements from NCSU and State Energy Office. Looks like a good meeting with lots of good discussions related to this audience. Reserve your space NOW to receive crucial energy updates at: THE 4th ANNUAL NORTH CAROLINA SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE March 7-8, 2007 McKimmon Conference & Training Center, NC State University, Raleigh, NC Linking Energy, Environment, and Economy * Building Commissioning * Performance Contracting * Biofuels * Air Quality * Renewable Energy * Energy Efficiency * Energy Economics * Petroleum Reduction Goals * Tax and Financial Incentives * Energy Policy and Legislation Presented by: State Energy Office Visit the State Energy Office Web site: www.energync.net Plan to attend the "kick-off" reception on March 7, 2007 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the McKimmon Conference & Training Center. To register or for more information, go to http://continuingeducation.ncsu.edu/State-Energy-Conference.html To view the brochure, go to http://www.ncsu.edu/project/OPDWebSpace/pdf/State-Energy-Conference.pdf CONTENTS * Why You Should Attend * Program Overview WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND Energy, environment, and economy: North Carolina's future depends on the decisions we make today on these important issues. Attend the Fourth Annual North Carolina Sustainable Energy Conference to learn how the three are connected and what you can do to ensure a sustainable future for our state. In-depth Sessions Will Focus on: * Growing the New Green Energy Resources * New Jobs in Energy, Environment, and Economy * Quantifying the Health Effects of Energy Efficiency * Climate Change Solutions for North Carolina * "Biofueling" the Future * ENERGY STAR? Tools and Resources * Performance Contracting * Energy Policy Issues in North Carolina The North Carolina Building Commissioning Committee joins this year's conference to offer sessions on commissioning for new and existing buildings. Special Features: * Keynote presentation by Senator Tom Daschle * Utility Savings Initiative half-day workshops - March 7 * Full-day plenary and workshops - March 8 * Evening reception * Networking lunch * Awards ceremony honoring this year's Energy Champions in North Carolina * Exhibits featuring the latest information and technology in energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternative fuels, and green building * "Ride and Drive," a popular event featuring the newest alternative fuel vehicles PROGRAM OVERVIEW March 7, 2007 - Utility Savings Initiative Half-Day Sessions 12:30-1:00 p.m. Registration/Check-in 1:00-1:15 p.m. Welcoming Remarks 1:15-1:25 p.m. Utility Savings Initiative Updates 1:25-1:45 p.m. Utility Savings Initiative Awards 1:45-3:15 p.m. SESSION ONE: ENERGY STAR? Tools and Resources 3:30-5:00 p.m. SESSION TWO: Performance Contracting: The "In's" and "Out's" of RFP Preparation 5:30-6:00 p.m. Reception Registration 6:00-6:15 p.m. Welcoming Remarks and Introduction 6:15-6:45 p.m. Reception Keynote 6:45-7:30 p.m. Reception March 8, 2007 - Full Conference Plenary and Sessions 8:00-8:30 a.m. Registration, Breakfast Buffet, and Exhibits 8:30-8:45 a.m. Welcoming Remarks and Introduction 8:45-9:15 a.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS * Senator Tom Daschle, Special Policy Advisor, Alston & Bird, LLP, and Former Majority Leader, U.S. Senate 9:15-10:00 a.m. GENERAL SESSION: Linking Energy, Environment, and Economy 10:00-10:30 a.m. Exhibits, Demonstrations, and "Ride and Drive" 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSION ONE * Track A: Energy: Growing the New Green Energy Resources * Track B: Environment: Quantifying the Health Effects of Energy Efficiency * Track C: Economy: New Jobs and New Opportunities in the Three "E's" * Track D: Commissioning: Assuring Owners' Performance Expectations Are Met in New Buildings 12:00-12:45 p.m. Luncheon 12:45-12:50 p.m. Welcoming Remarks and Introduction 12:50-1:10 p.m. Luncheon Keynote 1:10-1:30 p.m. Fourth Annual North Carolina Sustainable Energy Awards 1:30-2:00 p.m. Exhibits, Demonstrations, and "Ride and Drive" 2:00-3:30 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSION TWO * Track A: Energy: Energy Policy Issues in North Carolina * Track B: Environment: Climate Change Solutions for North Carolina * Track C: Economy: Biofueling the Future * Track D: Retro-commissioning: Achieving Designed System Performance in Existing Buildings 3:30-4:00 p.m. Closing Session To register, click here: http://continuingeducation.ncsu.edu/State-Energy-Conference.html or call 919.515.2261 To view the brochure, go to http://www.ncsu.edu/project/OPDWebSpace/pdf/State-Energy-Conference.pdf Visit the State Energy Office Web site: www.energync.net From rickyb at rickyb.net Fri Feb 2 07:30:06 2007 From: rickyb at rickyb.net (rickyb at rickyb.net) Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2007 07:30:06 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Looking for Solar active and passive for home Message-ID: <20070202123006.9CCE7500A2@ws6-5.us4.outblaze.com> Anyone here know of reputable dealer/installer/reseller for active and passive solar for home. I have tried to contact several but I cant seem to get any response past the initial intro. I am looking into adding both solar hot water and solar cells for electricity. I want to start out small on the electrical side and grow. Thanks! From letterrrrip at hotmail.com Fri Feb 2 13:26:28 2007 From: letterrrrip at hotmail.com (Link Shumaker) Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:26:28 +0000 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Small Scale Biodiesel Module Input In-Reply-To: <1A6D5A1F-8BBE-4502-94B3-A9EBCFF104A7@blast.com> Message-ID: Group, My school is looking into purchasing a small scale truck mountable 20-100 gallon batch biodiesel reactor. Does anyone have experience with these modules? Could anyone offer input into the pros/cons of the Fuelmeister vs. the Biodiesel Gear or any other similar model reactors. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you, Link Shumaker Univesity of Kentucky >From: Rachel Burton >To: BIG Group >Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] THE 4th ANNUAL NORTH CAROLINA >SUSTAINABLEENERGY CONFERENCE March 7-8, 2007 >Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 17:50:43 -0500 > >Just in case you had missed the previous notices and announcements >from NCSU and >State Energy Office. Looks like a good meeting with lots of good >discussions related to this >audience. > >Reserve your space NOW to receive crucial energy updates at: > >THE 4th ANNUAL NORTH CAROLINA SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE >March 7-8, 2007 >McKimmon Conference & Training Center, NC State University, >Raleigh, NC > > > > > > >Linking Energy, Environment, and Economy > >* Building Commissioning >* Performance Contracting >* Biofuels >* Air Quality >* Renewable Energy >* Energy Efficiency >* Energy Economics >* Petroleum Reduction Goals >* Tax and Financial Incentives >* Energy Policy and Legislation > >Presented by: State Energy Office >Visit the State Energy Office Web site: www.energync.net > >Plan to attend the "kick-off" reception on March 7, 2007 >from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the McKimmon Conference & Training >Center. > >To register or for more information, go to >http://continuingeducation.ncsu.edu/State-Energy-Conference.html > >To view the brochure, go to >http://www.ncsu.edu/project/OPDWebSpace/pdf/State-Energy-Conference.pdf > > > > >CONTENTS >* Why You Should Attend >* Program Overview > > >WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND >Energy, environment, and economy: North Carolina's future >depends on the decisions we make today on these important >issues. Attend the Fourth Annual North Carolina Sustainable >Energy Conference to learn how the three are connected and >what you can do to ensure a sustainable future for our >state. > >In-depth Sessions Will Focus on: > >* Growing the New Green Energy Resources >* New Jobs in Energy, Environment, and Economy >* Quantifying the Health Effects of Energy Efficiency >* Climate Change Solutions for North Carolina >* "Biofueling" the Future >* ENERGY STAR? Tools and Resources >* Performance Contracting >* Energy Policy Issues in North Carolina > >The North Carolina Building Commissioning Committee joins >this year's conference to offer sessions on commissioning >for new and existing buildings. > >Special Features: > > > >* Keynote presentation by Senator Tom Daschle >* Utility Savings Initiative half-day workshops - March 7 >* Full-day plenary and workshops - March 8 >* Evening reception >* Networking lunch >* Awards ceremony honoring this year's Energy Champions in >North Carolina >* Exhibits featuring the latest information and technology >in energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternative fuels, >and green building >* "Ride and Drive," a popular event featuring the newest >alternative fuel vehicles > > > >PROGRAM OVERVIEW >March 7, 2007 - Utility Savings Initiative Half-Day Sessions > >12:30-1:00 p.m. Registration/Check-in > >1:00-1:15 p.m. Welcoming Remarks > >1:15-1:25 p.m. Utility Savings Initiative Updates > >1:25-1:45 p.m. Utility Savings Initiative Awards > >1:45-3:15 p.m. SESSION ONE: ENERGY STAR? Tools and Resources > >3:30-5:00 p.m. SESSION TWO: Performance Contracting: The >"In's" and "Out's" of RFP Preparation > >5:30-6:00 p.m. Reception Registration > >6:00-6:15 p.m. Welcoming Remarks and Introduction > >6:15-6:45 p.m. Reception Keynote > >6:45-7:30 p.m. Reception > >March 8, 2007 - Full Conference Plenary and Sessions > >8:00-8:30 a.m. Registration, Breakfast Buffet, and Exhibits > >8:30-8:45 a.m. Welcoming Remarks and Introduction > >8:45-9:15 a.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS > >* Senator Tom Daschle, Special Policy Advisor, Alston & >Bird, LLP, and Former Majority Leader, U.S. Senate > >9:15-10:00 a.m. GENERAL SESSION: Linking Energy, >Environment, and Economy > >10:00-10:30 a.m. Exhibits, Demonstrations, and "Ride and >Drive" > >10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSION ONE > >* Track A: Energy: Growing the New Green Energy Resources >* Track B: Environment: Quantifying the Health Effects of >Energy Efficiency >* Track C: Economy: New Jobs and New Opportunities in the >Three "E's" >* Track D: Commissioning: Assuring Owners' Performance >Expectations Are Met in New Buildings > >12:00-12:45 p.m. Luncheon > >12:45-12:50 p.m. Welcoming Remarks and Introduction > >12:50-1:10 p.m. Luncheon Keynote > >1:10-1:30 p.m. Fourth Annual North Carolina Sustainable >Energy Awards > >1:30-2:00 p.m. Exhibits, Demonstrations, and "Ride and >Drive" > >2:00-3:30 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSION TWO > >* Track A: Energy: Energy Policy Issues in North Carolina >* Track B: Environment: Climate Change Solutions for North >Carolina >* Track C: Economy: Biofueling the Future >* Track D: Retro-commissioning: Achieving Designed System >Performance in Existing Buildings > >3:30-4:00 p.m. Closing Session > >To register, click here: >http://continuingeducation.ncsu.edu/State-Energy-Conference.html > > >or call 919.515.2261 > >To view the brochure, go to >http://www.ncsu.edu/project/OPDWebSpace/pdf/State-Energy-Conference.pdf > > Visit the State Energy Office Web site: www.energync.net > >_______________________________________________ >Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list >Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net >http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group _________________________________________________________________ FREE online classifieds from Windows Live Expo ? buy and sell with people you know http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwex0010000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://expo.live.com?s_cid=Hotmail_tagline_12/06 From wrenchwench at blast.com Fri Feb 2 18:36:05 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 18:36:05 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Carolina ethanol plants spark new interest in corn production Message-ID: <8F22D5A6-58FB-4256-9CBD-F57683AFD7C1@blast.com> Feb 1, 2007 5:20 PM, By Roy Roberson Farm Press Editorial Staff One of the major topics of discussion at a recent North Carolina cotton production meeting was corn. The common thread for all this interest is ethanol. Some contend the furor over increased ethanol production in the U.S. drove prices down. Now that gasoline prices have begun to creep higher and higher, the interest in ethanol and other alternative fuels seems to be growing. Debate over the 2007 farm bill will likely include alternative fuel provisions. All the interest in the Southeast is driven by what is anticipated, not what is already in place. One of the driving forces of ethanol interest in the Carolinas is the construction of a 108 million gallon per year ethanol plant in Aurora, N.C. The plant, which is now scheduled to begin construction in early 2008, is one of three such plants in the planning stages for North Carolina. In full operation, these plants would produce over 320 million gallons of ethanol, over a million tons of distiller?s grain, and over two million tons of carbon dioxide annually. From the farmer?s perspective, these plants will require 120 million bushels of corn annually to operate. The opportunities for farmers from Virginia to South Carolina to produce corn for these plants are huge. A new Democratic Congress will write a new farm bill that will set U.S. farm policy for the next five years. And for the first time in decades, congressional leaders have said the farm bill will focus almost exclusively on managing farm production for domestic use. Ethanol has flat-out rolled right over the old export-driven model, which year after year has failed to benefit U.S. farmers and rural communities. In addition to corn acreage increases, the technology of ethanol production is escalating at a rapid pace. Ethanex, a renewable energy company whose mission is to become the ethanol industry?s low-cost producer, announced recently the successful completion of commercial scale pilot plant testing of its proprietary fractionation feedstock technology at the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. The tests produced greater than 22 percent higher ethanol yields per unit of feedstock compared to standard whole kernel corn fermentations. Terry Ruse, president of Agri-Ethanol Inc, a Raleigh, N.C.,-based company that is building an ethanol plant in Aurora, N.C., says two more plants of equal size are planned in the state. The Aurora plant is scheduled to begin ethanol production in the first quarter of 2008. Ruse says that currently 114 ethanol plants produce about 5.5 billion gallons of ethanol annually. He contends that as late as 2004, there were no plans for a destination plant, versus an origin plant for ethanol production. Ruse explains that a destination plant is one is which ethanol brings in the corn to the production site and sells ethanol in relatively nearby markets. An origin site is one in which corn is grown locally for the plant, and the ethanol and byproducts are shipped out. In the Midwest, ethanol production has been an economic success for farmers. Among the states most favorably affected by ethanol production is South Dakota, which has become the first state in the nation to become fully energy independent in terms of gasoline production. The three planned North Carolina plants will be built from the same specifications. Each will be able to unload 75-100 boxcars every 10 hours. Each plant will require 40 million bushels of corn annually, and the hope is that as much as half the corn will be bought in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. ?We will have access to ship our products by barge and by rail to a 500 mile radius of the plant, including Atlanta, Ga., Cincinnati, Ohio, and New York City. We can get our products to the New York market in 6-7 days for a nickel a gallon. Ethanol from the Midwest, Ruse says will take 14-16 days and cost 12-17 cents a gallon to deliver. Ruse notes that the Aurora, N.C., plant will have access to 170 million chickens and 10 million hogs and 2,500 acres of aquaculture ponds within short trucking distance. By comparison, Midwest plants are now paying $25-$35 dollars a ton to get their grain to their customers. ?We are careful to set up our ethanol production processes to produce distiller?s grain that can replace corn and soybeans in hog and poultry diets,? Ruse says. By putting distiller?s grain back into the livestock industry, Ruse says ethanol, chicken and pork producers can all benefit from the process. He notes that corn used for animal feeds is about 10-12 percent protein. Distiller?s grain that will come from the North Caolina ethanol plants will be 30 percent protein. While the volume of grain available for feed from distiller?s grains will be only a third that of corn, the protein value will be equal. Already, the North Carolina ethanol plants have contracts to sell carbon dioxide and distillers grains. The Carolinas and Virginia are carbon dioxide deficient areas, providing an ideal market for this byproduct. Currently, the bottling plants and other industrial processes that use CO2 have to go to Richmond, Va., or Augusta, Ga., for CO2. Ruse says his company is working closely with plant breeders to develop both better corn varieties and better hulless barley varieties for ethanol production. Hulless barley, he explains is harvested in the spring, when corn supplies are lowest. These barley varieties also have a higher natural lysine than corn. In order to process hulless barley, ethanol production from corn has to be shut down. The idea is to eventually have high enough supplies of barley to shut down corn for a while. Barley byproducts are also of high value as aquaculture feed, he says. In the Midwest in areas where biofuel plants are built, the grower benefits by 5.7 cents per unit, whether that is soybeans, corn or other raw materials used for fuel production. In the Carolinas and throughout the Southeast, the potential is for even greater profitability, if a grower is able to store and dry corn and deliver it at times when corn is in shortest supply to the ethanol plant. How large the increase in corn acreage in the Southeast will be remains to be seen. With ethanol plants in the Carolinas not coming on line until the spring of 2008, growers have at least one growing season to develop a strategy to take maximum economic advantage of the new markets. e-mail: rroberson at farmpress.com -------------- next part -------------- From leif at unc.edu Thu Feb 1 14:35:13 2007 From: leif at unc.edu (Leif Forer) Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 14:35:13 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] BP gives $500 million to UC Berkeley for biofuels research References: Message-ID: Cal to be hub for study of alternate fuel Group headed by UC Berkeley wins $500 million grant from BP - Rick DelVecchio, Mark Martin, Chronicle Staff Writers Thursday, February 1, 2007 An unprecedented $500 million grant to develop new biofuels has been awarded to a consortium led by UC Berkeley, making the Cal campus the international hub of research on clean energy and the Bay Area the potential crucible of a new post-oil economy. Sources in Sacramento said Wednesday that UC Berkeley, teamed with the University of Illinois, has won a hard-fought international competition to land the Energy Biosciences Institute, funded by British Petroleum. The oil giant announced last June that it would stake half a billion dollars over 10 years on the search for alternatives to oil and gas and was looking for a major academic center to host the project, which it described as the first of its kind in the world. The center will fund "radical research aimed at probing the emerging secrets of bioscience and applying them to the production of new and cleaner energy, principally fuels for road transport," according to an announcement on the company's Web site. BP's U.S. chief Robert Malone will join Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Director Steven Chu at a news conference at Cal this morning. A campus spokesman declined to give details. Schwarzenegger hosted a top BP executive in his Sacramento office late last year as part of an effort to win the grant. The institute is to be housed at the national lab in the Berkeley hills above the campus and will be the richest alternative energy- research center in the world, according to a Sacramento source. British Petroleum chose UC Berkeley over other major research universities in the United States and the United Kingdom, according to the source. A spokesman for Schwarzenegger noted that California's recent effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions helped persuade BP to spend the money in the state. "California is yet again leading the world on clean energy,'' said Adam Mendelsohn, Schwarzenegger's communications director. As part of the grant, the state is expected to pitch in $40 million to build the new research facility. The money would come from lease- revenue bonds, which would have to be approved by the Legislature. Illinois, meanwhile, is a major producer of corn-based ethanol, and the University of Illinois houses the Institute of Genomic Biology, a research center on alternative fuels. UC Berkeley Professor Dan Kammen, who directs Cal's Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, said the university has more energy experts than any other academic center in the world. "I happen to think we have the best group of researchers," he said. "The group is growing. There are people being recruited here just because of other projects." Chris Voigt, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at UCSF, said UC Berkeley has become the focus of funding for energy research. "It really is a global effort that's converging at Berkeley," he said. The research promises multiple benefits: -- Reducing carbon emissions as a hedge against catastrophic global warming. -- Creating jobs and wealth through new industries. -- Giving an economic boost to rural America through the production of new fuel crops. -- Helping distance the nation economically from a destabilized Middle East. The BP grant will expand collaborations that have been building among UC Berkeley departments and between the campus and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to explore ideas for clean fuels. It will buy added expertise and technology for investigators pursuing one of the major goals of the research: to replace petroleum as the country's leading transportation fuel. UC Berkeley has been aggressively moving to become the world's research-and-development center for alternative fuels. The university, working with the national lab, where many faculty members hold joint appointments, is combining its expertise in engineering and the life sciences to bring clean energy technologies to consumers in the next 10 to 20 years. One focus is solar power, in which researchers are developing more powerful, cheaper ways to convert sunlight to electricity and fuel. Another focus is bioengineering, in which scientists are designing new genetic operating systems that code specially bred microbes to make hydrocarbons, which could be brewed in mass quantities for transportation fuel. Scientists predict that biofuels will become a critical part of the U.S. economy's shift from oil. "Twenty-five percent of our gasoline could go away and be replaced with biofuels, a combination of ethanol and bio-diesels, in a decade or decade-and-half time frame," Kammen said. The university's center of bioengineering research is chemical engineering Professor Jay Keasling's lab in West Berkeley, where workers snip and add wild plant genes in order to code bacteria and yeast cells to make profuse quantities of useful chemicals. The first such product to emerge from the group's work is a chemical that is the basis for the drug commonly used to treat malaria. Keasling's group is working to extend that success to create other drugs and bioengineered fuels, such as ethanol and butanol. Six researchers in Keasling's group have been detailed to hunt for wild plant genes that may be suitable engines for fuel production. The new grant should add more researchers to Keasling's operation. Studying plants that secrete waxy compounds, the researchers think they'll be able to code microbes to make certain combustible carbon chains. If their hunch proves out, further tinkering could lead to the development of various bioengineered fuels, of which the simplest, ethanol, is likely to be first out. Nobody can say how economical biofuels will turn out to be. Large- scale production would require enormous amounts of plant material to create the sugars microbes feed on. Scientists have to find ways to access the energy tied up in the woody parts of crop plants, such as corn. Either that, or design new strains of plants that easily give up all their energy in the form of sugar. Fuel crops would take up farmland that might otherwise be used for food. "Trying to convert the energy economy into a biofuels-based economy right now seems to me strikingly difficult," Voigt said. "What has to happen is to create a niche which, due to market forces rather than research dollars, pushes and builds it to a scale that's conceivable." Berkeley and the region will play a major part in the shift, he said. "This is bringing in a huge amount of money to the Bay Area," Voigt said. "It's already resulting in the creation of companies. It's going to be a huge industry here. With California a strong agricultural economy, it's just going to be enormous." E-mail Rick DelVecchio at rdelvecchio at sfchronicle.com. Page A - 1 URL: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/02/01/ MNGM8NSSDP1.DTL From perkinsfam at yahoo.com Sat Feb 3 09:08:02 2007 From: perkinsfam at yahoo.com (Brian Perkins) Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 06:08:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] taxes and rebates Message-ID: <66626.11663.qm@web60315.mail.yahoo.com> Hi list! I found forms for retailers, farmers, and blenders to apply for rebates for using alternative fuels, but nothing for individuals. How does an individual go about paying the road taxes and then filing for the rebates? Links? Thanks! Brian High Point, NC ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091 From john.bonitz at gmail.com Sat Feb 3 12:37:53 2007 From: john.bonitz at gmail.com (John Bonitz) Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 12:37:53 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] New Report - A Case for the Healthy School Bus Message-ID: <84a57a420702030937v56aa3ecaqaf9135dc9e45c1f3@mail.gmail.com> New Report - A Case for the Healthy School Bus In January Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Carolinas Clean Air Coalition released a new report, A Case for the Healthy School Bus: Lessons from the Field. The report summarizes the results of a school bus cabin air quality demonstration project in Charlotte and provides tangible solutions for improving air quality on and around school buses. The demonstration project was part of a five-city study conducted by the Clean Air Task Force to study cabin exposures to diesel particulate matter (diesel soot) and the effectiveness of pollution control devices (or retrofits) to reduce diesel soot on school buses. Based on results from the demonstration and five-city study, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Carolinas Clean Air Coalition recommend that a comprehensive plan be developed for cleaning up all school buses in North Carolina. The plan should ensure that: All existing diesel school buses are retrofitted with two specific pollution-control technologies - diesel particulate filters and engine crankcase filtration systems; Mobile Source Emissions Reduction and air quality funding is prioritized for diesel particulate filters over diesel oxidation catalysts; All school buses use blends of bio-diesel (minimum of B20); A long-term source of funding is created for reducing emissions from diesel engines. For more information or to download a copy of the report visit http://www.cleanenergy.org/resources/reports/NC%20Diesel%20Report%20final.pdf Other recommendations from the report: Enforce established local school bus idling policies and implement no-idling policies for all other diesel equipment; Replace or rebuild all engines after they have been on the road for no more than a decade; Prioritize funding and use of diesel particulate filters over diesel oxidation catalysts; Retrofit all existing diesel school buses with two specific pollution-control technologies - diesel particulate filters and engine crankcase filtration systems; Switch school buses to blends of biodiesel; Establish a technical assistance program to help school systems in their efforts to secure funding for retrofits; Create a long-term source of funding for reducing emissions from diesel engines by expanding the Mobile Source Emissions Grant Program and/or creating a new program to provide state level funding for diesel emissions reductions in all state or locally owned or contracted diesel vehicles and private fleets in North Carolina; Develop clean contract specifications that require contractors who perform work in the state to install pollution control equipment and use bio-diesel in all of their diesel equipment. -- John Bonitz Silk Hope, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From skepticbill at mac.com Mon Feb 5 21:14:20 2007 From: skepticbill at mac.com (Bill O'Luanaigh (.mac)) Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 21:14:20 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Diesel truck advice In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Hey y'all, A friend of mine is a builder who is interested in ditching his gasoline powered F-150 for a (bio) diesel truck. At the risk of starting the perennial Chevy vs. Ford debate what trucks are getting the best results with bio? If someone has compiled this info somewhere (and I know how compulsive you all are) I'd appreciate a link. Thanks in advance for any assistance! -Bill- From rickyb at rickyb.net Tue Feb 6 05:15:38 2007 From: rickyb at rickyb.net (Rick Blevins) Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:15:38 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Diesel truck advice In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <45C8554A.5040607@rickyb.net> With out knowing all the particulars there are people in the coop here who have both Dodge trucks and Fords who both have good results. I dont know of anyone with Chevys but thats not to say they are not just as good. Bill O'Luanaigh (.mac) wrote: > Hey y'all, > > A friend of mine is a builder who is interested in ditching his gasoline > powered F-150 for a (bio) diesel truck. At the risk of starting the > perennial Chevy vs. Ford debate what trucks are getting the best results > with bio? If someone has compiled this info somewhere (and I know how > compulsive you all are) I'd appreciate a link. > > Thanks in advance for any assistance! > > -Bill- > > > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > > From skepticbill at mac.com Tue Feb 6 11:07:33 2007 From: skepticbill at mac.com (Bill O'Luanaigh (.mac)) Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:07:33 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Algae based biofuels in MIT Tech Review Message-ID: Thought y'all might enjoy this: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18138/ Monday, February 05, 2007 Algae-Based Fuels Set to Bloom Oil from microorganisms could help ease the nation's energy woes. By Kevin Bullis Relatively high oil prices, advances in technology, and the Bush administration's increased emphasis on renewable fuels are attracting new interest in a potentially rich source of biofuels: algae. A number of startups are now demonstrating new technology and launching large research efforts aimed at replacing hundreds of millions of gallons of fossil fuels by 2010, and much more in the future. Algae makes oil naturally. Raw algae can be processed to make biocrude, the renewable equivalent of petroleum, and refined to make gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and chemical feedstocks for plastics and drugs. Indeed, it can be processed at existing oil refineries to make just about anything that can be made from crude oil. This is the approach being taken by startups Solix Biofuels, based in Fort Collins, CO, and LiveFuels, based in Menlo Park, CA. Alternatively, strains of algae that produce more carbohydrates and less oil can be processed and fermented to make ethanol, with leftover proteins used for animal feed. This is one of the potential uses of algae produced by startup GreenFuel Technologies Corporation, based in Cambridge, MA. The theoretical potential is clear. Algae can be grown in open ponds or sealed in clear tubes, and it can produce far more oil per acre than soybeans, a source of oil for biodiesel. Algae can also clean up waste by processing nitrogen from wastewater and carbon dioxide from power plants. What's more, it can be grown on marginal lands useless for ordinary crops, and it can use water from salt aquifers that is not useful for drinking or agriculture. "Algae have the potential to produce a huge amount of oil," says Kathe Andrews-Cramer, the technical lead researcher for biofuels and bioenergy programs at Sandia National Laboratories, in Albuquerque, NM. "We could replace certainly all of our diesel fuel with algal-derived oils, and possibly replace a lot more than that." To be sure, the use of algae for liquid fuels has been studied extensively in the past, including through a program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that ran for nearly a decade. At the time, the results were not encouraging. The NREL program was terminated in 1996, largely because at the time crude-oil prices were far too low for algae to compete. But Eric Jarvis, an NREL scientist, says that enough has changed that NREL researchers expect to restart the program within the next six months to a year. When the program was cancelled in 1996, oil prices were relatively low. Today's higher oil prices will make it easier for algae to compete. Still, Jarvis cautions that "you have to be careful because there's a lot of hype out there right now." Biotech advances in the past decade could help. New genomic and proteomic technologies make it much easier to understand the mechanisms involved in algae-oil production. One of the challenges researchers have faced is that while some types of algae can produce large amounts of oil--as much as 60 percent of their weight--they only do this when they're starved for nutrients. But when they're starved for nutrients, they lose another of their attractive features: their ability to quickly grow and reproduce. Researchers hope to understand the molecular switches that cause increased oil production, with the added hope of triggering it without starving the algae. This could dramatically increase oil production and drive down prices. A better understanding of biology may help researchers address another problem. The cheapest way to grow algae is in open ponds. But open ponds full of nutrients invite other species to take over, competing with the algae and cutting down production. LiveFuels, which is funding and coordinating research at its own lab and at those at both Sandia and the NREL, hopes to create algal ecosystems that resist such invaders by ensuring that all the nutrients are converted to forms the algae can easily use, says David Kingsbury, the chair of the company's scientific advisory board. Recent tests of an algae-based system developed by GreenFuel, which, unlike LiveFuels, is developing closed bioreactors, showed that it could capture about 80 percent of the carbon dioxide emitted from a power plant during the day when sunlight is available. Although this carbon dioxide will later be released when the fuel is burned in vehicles, the carbon dioxide would have entered the atmosphere anyway. Reusing it in renewable liquid fuels makes it possible to prevent the release of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, thereby decreasing total emissions. The growing interest in regulating carbon-dioxide emissions could also be a boon to algal fuels. "If there is a carbon tax, or another way to basically make money by capturing carbon dioxide, that could definitely impact the economics," Jarvis says. But GreenFuel's John Lewnard, vice president of process development, says the company thinks it can reach competitive prices without carbon taxes. But for now, lowering costs will mean overcoming many technical hurdles. "Clearly, [producing fuel from algae] can be done," says Lissa Morgenthaler Jones, LiveFuels's CEO. "The only question is whether we can do it cheaply. And the only way we're going to find that out is if we do it--if we actually go out, crank it through, spend some millions on it, and make it happen." There is plenty of federal interest these days. In his State of the Union address, President Bush set an ambitious goal of replacing 20 percent of gasoline consumption in the United States by 2017, largely by producing 35 billion gallons of renewable fuels. Meeting those goals will be a challenge. Right now, biofuels come from food crops such as soybeans and corn; already the demand for corn to produce ethanol is driving up staple foods' prices and fueling protests in Mexico. One alternative to food sources is cellulosic materials such as wood chips, grass, and cornstalks, which are more abundant than corn grain. But these require special processing methods, and although some of these techniques have been demonstrated at small plants, they have yet to be proved commercially. From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Feb 8 19:33:21 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 19:33:21 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Auto Manufacturers Present Latest Biodiesel-Fueled Products Message-ID: NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jenna Higgins/NBB Mobile: (573) 694-5218 Office: 800-841-5849 Brendan Prebo/ASG Renaissance (313) 683-1155 Feb. 6, 2007 Auto Manufacturers Present Latest Biodiesel-Fueled Products DaimlerChrysler Announces Biodiesel Incentive Buying Program at National Biodiesel Conference SAN ANTONIO? He played J.R. Ewing, the famous oil baron on the television series Dallas, but in real life, actor Larry Hagman is a renewable energy proponent. Hagman kicked off the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo Ride-and-Drive on Monday driving a 2007 VW Touareg TDI. Like most conference attendees, Hagman was excited to test drive the latest vehicles from Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler and General Motors running on biodiesel blends. ?I think biodiesel is the future of the U.S.,? said Hagman. ?Biodiesel, ethanol, wind power, solar power ? we?ve got to go to these alternative ways of making energy. We also have to conserve more of the energy we use.? According to a new U.S. consumer survey, most Americans agree with him. In an online survey of 1,099 adults conducted in January by Moore Information, Inc., 61 percent of consumers would consider purchasing a diesel vehicle, because of the benefits of biodiesel. These benefits identified by survey respondents include reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil, protecting human health, and environmental and economic benefits. Along with the new Touareg, conference attendees had an opportunity to drive the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD, 2007 Dodge Ram 2500, 2007 Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty, and 2007 Chevy Express Cargo Van. At the conference on Monday, Feb. 5, General Motors Alternative Fuels Marketing Manager Mike McGarry announced that GM is offering a Special Equipment Option on the 6.6L Duramax for B20 capability. The Special Equipment Option is available to fleets on the GMC Savanna, Chevy Express Commercial Cutaway Van, Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty, and GM Sierra Heavy Duty One Ton. Production on the Special Equipment Option is limited to 200 vehicles per model line in 2007. McGarry also stated that GM is working to expand B20 capability in 2008. All of the manufacturer-supplied vehicles in the conference ride-and- drive were fueled with B5 ? a blend of 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel ? except the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram, which were fueled by B20. Biodiesel for the ride-and-drive was supplied by Organic Fuels Ltd. of Gelena Park, Texas. Organic Fuels is accredited under BQ-9000, an industry quality control program. In a speech at the conference on Monday, Deb Morrissett, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for the Chrysler Group, encouraged the biodiesel industry to continue the development of a national standard for B20. This comes as automobile manufacturers focus more resources on producing diesel vehicles capable of running on the fuel. ?To speed the adoption of biodiesel, and to help harness and direct the diverse research and investment efforts going into its development, we need to expedite setting a national fuel specification for B20, just as we have for other fuels,? said Morrissett. ?I?m looking forward to the time when anyone can fuel up with B20.? Morrissett also announced special pricing on biodiesel-blend capable products available to National Biodiesel Board (NBB) members and their employees. DaimlerChrysler uses B5 as the factory fill for the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD and Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. Both vehicles are approved for B5. The 2007 Dodge Ram is also approved for B20 for commercial, government and military fleets which use military specification biodiesel fuel. Volkswagen approves the use of B5 and is testing B20 in several fleet vehicles. Volkswagen was a major sponsor of the National Biodiesel Conference and was the presenting sponsor of the Merle Haggard concert at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio on Monday. Most auto and engine manufacturers view the adoption of an ASTM International blended fuel specification as a key component for full, universal acceptance of B20. A significant roadblock to the national B20 standard was removed when ASTM approved a specification for oxidation stability for B100 using the induction period test method EN 14112 (commonly referred to as Rancimat). This change was incorporated into the ASTM specification for B100, ASTM D-6751, was approved Dec. 1, 2006 and published by ASTM in January. # # # Additional information about biodiesel is available online at www.biodiesel.org. This material sponsored by the USDA Biodiesel Education Program. From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Feb 8 19:56:13 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 19:56:13 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: F.Y.I. ... Biodiesel News ... February 5, 2007 References: <27e63da68fed4b7e9512f07e079d3129@biofuelsjournal.com> Message-ID: <0B7F814E-1522-4A99-A7B1-ECC80F4206C3@blast.com> Begin forwarded message: > Monday, February 5, 2007 ? BioFuels Journal Website ? Subscribe > > > > > Mean Green Biofuels Decides to Build Biodiesel Plant in Memphis, TN > Instead of Gibson County, TN > > Biodiesel Will See Explosive Growth Over the Next 10 Years > > Chrysler Executive Urges Biodiesel Community to Expedite Setting a > National Fuel Specification > > U.S. Microbics to Investigate Biodiesel and Ethanol Production > > Yakima Valley, WA Farm to Supply Canola to Imperium Renewable > Energy's Biodiesel Plant > > Kreido Biofuels Developing Three Biodiesel Plants, Completes $25 > Million Private Placement > > Soybean Prices Trail Corn Market Trend Says Analyst > > Future Energy, LLC Launches $45 Million Equity Drive for Proposed > 60 MMGY Biodiesel Plant in Humboldt County, IA > > ARES Corp. and Blue Sun Biodiesel Announce Joint Venture to Build > Biodiesel Plant in Clovis, NM > > BEST Energies Receives Permits to Build $8 Million Biodiesel Plant > in Cashton, WI > > Ewing Land Development Services Plans to Build 30 MMGY Biodiesel > Plant in Quincy, IL > > Ag Solutions Inc.'s Biodiesel Production at Gladstone, MI > Progresses Smoothly > > ADM's 50 MMGY Biodiesel Plant in Velva, ND is Nearing Completion > Arkansas' Biodiesel Fuel Incentives Bill Still Pending > > American Soybean Association Champions Role for Biodiesel in > President Bush's Plan > > Oregon's HB 2210 Brings Biodiesel Supporters from All Sides > > > BioFuels Journal is a quarterly magazine for the ethanol and > biodiesel industries... published in Decatur, IL ... > 800-728-7511 ... website: www.biofuelsjournal.com > Unsubscribe to this Newsletter > > From wrenchwench at blast.com Thu Feb 8 20:04:15 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 20:04:15 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Modified Golf Passes Emissions Tests Message-ID: At the National Center for Vehicle Emissions Control and Safety, a 2002 Volkswagen Golf TDi modified to run on straight Canola oil produced emissions below standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Albuquerque Alternative Energies modified the vehicle with a vegetable oil fuel system supplied by PlantDrive and VO Control. Three tests to establish baseline emissions saw the vehicle run on conventional fuels. Another three tests used Canola oil. Contact: www.greencarcongress.com/2007/02/v100_jetta_aces.html#more From wrenchwench at blast.com Fri Feb 9 17:24:55 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 17:24:55 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Mobilizing North Carolina Message-ID: Mobilizing North Carolina Where Air Quality, Transportation, and Energy Meet Save the date - April 18, 2007 Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center, Greensboro, NC Sponsored by the NC Department of Transportation, NC Division of Air Quality, State Energy Office, Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation, Triad Air Awareness With support from & the NC Solar Center at NC State University, Triangle Clean Cities and Centralina Clean Fuels Coalitions A day to learn about air quality, alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies including: ?? Luncheon keynote about climate change by Dr Richard Leakey- the world?s best know paleoanthropologist and recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 greatest Minds of the 20th Century ?? Presentations and discussions about alternative fuel and advanced transportation technologies and practices from leading experts ?? Ride-N-Drive & Table Top Displays ?? Mobile Clean Air Renewable Energy (CARE) Awards ?? Networking opportunities with live music & reception Conference Topics Include: ? Biodiesel ? Ethanol ? CNG ? Neighborhood electric vehicles ? Heavy-duty hybrid technology ? Diesel retrofits for emissions control ? Managing your fleet for fuel economy ? Idle reduction practices ? Incentives Visit www.MobilizingNC.com for more details and registration Jason Wager, AICP Community & Regional Planner Coordinator, Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition Centralina Council of Governments PO Box 35008 Charlotte, NC 28235 Ph: 704.348.2707 Fax: 704.347.4710 COG web site: www.centralina.org Clean Fuels web site: www.4cleanfuels.com From jeffmoreadith at charter.net Sun Feb 11 09:50:33 2007 From: jeffmoreadith at charter.net (jeffmoreadith at charter.net) Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 6:50:33 -0800 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Small kerosene heaters Message-ID: <1298093752.1171205433396.JavaMail.root@fepweb06> Can bioheat be used in small portable kerosene heaters? If so, to what blend, noting that it seems these units do not have rubber that might be degraded by blends higher than B20? Jeff Moreadith Asheville, NC From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Feb 12 10:38:54 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:38:54 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs Message-ID: <197FE5B6-6475-4BBC-8C57-85A29F5E0C25@blast.com> Just a FYI- The discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs is going to re run the "biodiesel man" episode here on the west coast it's going to be on Tuesday Feb 13 at 9PM; Wednesday 1am and Saturday Feb 17 at 1Pm here's a link to youtube for a preview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcKpIB1HYKM From tobin at tjcog.org Mon Feb 12 16:13:43 2007 From: tobin at tjcog.org (Tobin Freid) Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:13:43 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Auto Manufacturers Present LatestBiodiesel-Fueled Products References: Message-ID: <017e01c74eea$cb2d35c0$1800a8c0@cleancities> FYI -- The ACEEE just released its list of the "greenest" and "meanest" vehicles of 2007. Interestingly enough, 5 of the 10 meanest vehicles are diesels, including the Touareg, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Dodge Ram 2500 shown at the NBB conference. I don't know if even biodiesel can clean up those acts... Tobin L. Freid Project Coordinator for Energy and Environment Triangle J Council of Governments (919) 558-9400 -- Triangle J Council of Governments is a Best Workplace for Commuters -- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rachel Burton" To: "BIG Group" Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 7:33 PM Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Auto Manufacturers Present LatestBiodiesel-Fueled Products > > NEWS > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE > Contact: Jenna Higgins/NBB > Mobile: (573) 694-5218 > Office: 800-841-5849 > Brendan Prebo/ASG Renaissance > (313) 683-1155 > Feb. 6, 2007 > > Auto Manufacturers Present Latest Biodiesel-Fueled Products > DaimlerChrysler Announces Biodiesel Incentive Buying Program at > National Biodiesel Conference > > SAN ANTONIO? He played J.R. Ewing, the famous oil baron on the > television series Dallas, but in real life, actor Larry Hagman is a > renewable energy proponent. Hagman kicked off the National Biodiesel > Conference & Expo Ride-and-Drive on Monday driving a 2007 VW Touareg > TDI. Like most conference attendees, Hagman was excited to test drive > the latest vehicles from Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler and General > Motors running on biodiesel blends. > > ?I think biodiesel is the future of the U.S.,? said Hagman. > ?Biodiesel, ethanol, wind power, solar power ? we?ve got to go to > these alternative ways of making energy. We also have to conserve > more of the energy we use.? > > According to a new U.S. consumer survey, most Americans agree with > him. In an online survey of 1,099 adults conducted in January by > Moore Information, Inc., 61 percent of consumers would consider > purchasing a diesel vehicle, because of the benefits of biodiesel. > These benefits identified by survey respondents include reducing U.S. > dependence on foreign oil, protecting human health, and environmental > and economic benefits. > > Along with the new Touareg, conference attendees had an opportunity > to drive the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD, 2007 Dodge Ram 2500, 2007 > Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty, and 2007 Chevy Express Cargo Van. > > At the conference on Monday, Feb. 5, General Motors Alternative Fuels > Marketing Manager Mike McGarry announced that GM is offering a > Special Equipment Option on the 6.6L Duramax for B20 capability. The > Special Equipment Option is available to fleets on the GMC Savanna, > Chevy Express Commercial Cutaway Van, Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty, and > GM Sierra Heavy Duty One Ton. Production on the Special Equipment > Option is limited to 200 vehicles per model line in 2007. McGarry > also stated that GM is working to expand B20 capability in 2008. > > All of the manufacturer-supplied vehicles in the conference ride-and- > drive were fueled with B5 ? a blend of 5 percent biodiesel and 95 > percent petroleum diesel ? except the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge > Ram, which were fueled by B20. Biodiesel for the ride-and-drive was > supplied by Organic Fuels Ltd. of Gelena Park, Texas. Organic Fuels > is accredited under BQ-9000, an industry quality control program. > > In a speech at the conference on Monday, Deb Morrissett, Vice > President of Regulatory Affairs for the Chrysler Group, encouraged > the biodiesel industry to continue the development of a national > standard for B20. This comes as automobile manufacturers focus more > resources on producing diesel vehicles capable of running on the fuel. > > ?To speed the adoption of biodiesel, and to help harness and direct > the diverse research and investment efforts going into its > development, we need to expedite setting a national fuel > specification for B20, just as we have for other fuels,? said > Morrissett. ?I?m looking forward to the time when anyone can fuel up > with B20.? > > Morrissett also announced special pricing on biodiesel-blend capable > products available to National Biodiesel Board (NBB) members and > their employees. > > DaimlerChrysler uses B5 as the factory fill for the Jeep Grand > Cherokee CRD and Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. Both vehicles are approved > for B5. The 2007 Dodge Ram is also approved for B20 for commercial, > government and military fleets which use military specification > biodiesel fuel. > > Volkswagen approves the use of B5 and is testing B20 in several fleet > vehicles. Volkswagen was a major sponsor of the National Biodiesel > Conference and was the presenting sponsor of the Merle Haggard > concert at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio on Monday. > > Most auto and engine manufacturers view the adoption of an ASTM > International blended fuel specification as a key component for full, > universal acceptance of B20. A significant roadblock to the national > B20 standard was removed when ASTM approved a specification for > oxidation stability for B100 using the induction period test method > EN 14112 (commonly referred to as Rancimat). This change was > incorporated into the ASTM specification for B100, ASTM D-6751, was > approved Dec. 1, 2006 and published by ASTM in January. > > # # # > > Additional information about biodiesel is available online at > www.biodiesel.org. This material sponsored by the USDA Biodiesel > Education Program. > > > > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group From jamie at kookymathteacher.com Mon Feb 12 17:25:34 2007 From: jamie at kookymathteacher.com (Jamie) Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:25:34 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Taking the Plunge! In-Reply-To: <197FE5B6-6475-4BBC-8C57-85A29F5E0C25@blast.com> Message-ID: <200702122225.l1CMPYhd000572@ms-smtp-05.southeast.rr.com> Hello Folks, I have gotten the Biodiesel bug! I have been planning on a veggie oil conversion to my diesel VW Westfalia and just got a New Beetle TDI. I have decided to use the $$ for the conversion to build my own reactor. I ordered an Appleby Kit from B100supply today. I would appreciate any hints you all could give. I'll take lots of pictures to document my progress. I'm just outside Winston-Salem, NC. Anyone close by? Jamie Auch From jamie at kookymathteacher.com Mon Feb 12 17:43:13 2007 From: jamie at kookymathteacher.com (Jamie Auch) Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:43:13 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Taking the Plunge! In-Reply-To: <200702122225.l1CMPYhd000572@ms-smtp-05.southeast.rr.com> Message-ID: <200702122243.l1CMhE3Y016009@ms-smtp-05.southeast.rr.com> "I ordered an Appleby Kit from B100supply today. " Oops, I meant Appleseed. Appleby is my tent trailer Jamie Auch _______________________________________________ From skepticbill at mac.com Wed Feb 14 21:53:26 2007 From: skepticbill at mac.com (Bill O'Luanaigh (.mac)) Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 21:53:26 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Environmental factors in economic models - in the WSJ?!? Message-ID: OK, I admit it. I literally almost fell out of my chair when I read in the WSJ that if you factored in in environmental costs that alternative energy is becoming competitive. (Of course if you factor in massive troop deployments in the Middle East I think the numbers look even better....and not just financially.) ----------------------------------------- >From the WSJ (subscription required): http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117087922327101294.html?mod=THEJOURNALREPORT ENERGY_2_1276.htm_1 The New Math of Alternative Energy Does going green finally make economic sense? By REBECCA SMITH February 12, 2007; Page R1 The numbers are starting to look promising. For years, the big criticism of alternative energy was cost: It was too expensive compared with energy based on traditional fuels like coal and natural gas. Even though the fuel was often free -- such as wind or the sun's rays -- alternative-energy producers had to plow lots of money into finding the best way to capture that energy and convert it into electricity. Fossil-fuel producers, on the other hand, could draw on billions of dollars in infrastructure investments and decades of know-how. Now the equation is showing significant signs of change. Costs are falling for some alternative-energy sources, driven by new technology and renewed development interest. Alternative energy still can't compete with fossil fuels on price. But the margins are narrowing, particularly since oil and gas prices have been rising. The math looks even more favorable if you consider the environmental cost of fossil fuels -- which most purely economic calculations don't. From wrenchwench at blast.com Fri Feb 16 13:28:00 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:28:00 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: NC Powerdown meeting next Wednesday 8pm in Carrboro References: <2026788.1171636562587.JavaMail.root@admin.meetup.com> Message-ID: <2D75E1E4-5CCC-4DF2-8338-64063EAD4477@blast.com> Begin forwarded message: > > > Your Organizer, Stephen Hren, sent the following message to the > members of NC Powerdown Triangle Peak Oil Group: > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > When: > Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 8:00 PM > Where: > Arcadia's Common House > Carrboro, NC > Durham , NC 27705 > 960-5007 > Info/Map > > This venue has been marked "private" by the Organizer. > Description: > The meeting will be held at Arcadia in Carrboro at 8pm on > Wednesday Febuary 21st. > > Ann Alexander will speak about Socially Repsonsible Investing > in the age of climate change and peak oil. This will make sure > that your money is not up to nefarious activities while you > sleep. > > POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH: Gerald Cecil will give us an update on > the solar hot water project that he and Sandy Smith-Nonini have > been working on, and give us some insight into what's the best > method of solar heating water in our climate. > > Directions to Arcadia in Carrboro NC. > > Call the Arcadia Common's house if you get lost. 960-5007. > > 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. > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > > To visit NC Powerdown Triangle Peak Oil Group, go here: > http://oilawareness.meetup.com/216/ > > > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > Add *info at meetup.com* to your address book to receive all your > Meetup emails. > > To unsubscribe or update your Meetup email preferences, visit > your account page: > http://www.meetup.com/account > > We've updated our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. You can > see the updates here: > http://www.meetup.com/privacy/ > > Questions? You can email customer service at: support at meetup.com > > Meetup Customer Service, 632 Broadway, New York, NY 10012 USA From dentonconrad at netzero.net Fri Feb 16 19:49:35 2007 From: dentonconrad at netzero.net (Denton Conrad) Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:49:35 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Air-Cooled Diesel Engine Message-ID: <45D6511F.3010600@netzero.net> Just an FYI, I accidentally ran across this. Air-Cooled Diesel Engine - http://launtop.en.alibaba.com/product/50063167/50286153/Diesel_Engines/Air_Cooled_Diesel_Engine.html From mattr at biofuels.coop Mon Feb 19 13:17:50 2007 From: mattr at biofuels.coop (Matthew Rudolf) Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 13:17:50 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Cheap and green: biofuels for mobile phone networks Message-ID: <70228121-6F08-49B9-941F-83E75F3FB270@biofuels.coop> Biofuels could soon be powering mobile phone networks Abiose Adelaja 16 February 2007 Source: SciDev.Net Mobile phone companies in Nigeria and India aim to boost rural development and expand their mobile networks by using biofuels as a cheap and green way to power networks. Access to electricity in rural areas is typically poor. By producing biofuel energy from organic matter, rural communities could sell it to the mobile phone companies, powering base stations that receive and transmit wireless signals. Two pilot schemes are currently underway in Lagos, Nigeria and Pune, India, to try powering GSM networks with biofuels. GSM is a digital standard for mobile phones used by more than two billion people worldwide. The schemes are receiving sponsorship from the GSM Association Development Fund and mobile phone company Ericsson. Local providers MTN ? Nigeria's largest mobile phone provider ? and Idea Cellular in India are also involved. "Apart from our desire to expand our coverage, biofuel produces economic empowerment, because lack of connectivity is directly related to economic impoverishment," said Prashanth Donepudi, project manager of the GSM Association Development Fund in Nigeria. In Lagos, soy oil biodiesel is being used to power a suburban base station owned by MTN in a six-month trial. The study in Pune will use cotton and the hedge plant jatropha, according to a BBC report. "We are trying biofuels because we feel it will save us the operational cost of reaching rural areas," said Victor Oduguwa, who heads MTN's Design and Value Engineering section He said biofuels also offered a form of "social responsibility" because the people are economically empowered in the process. Using renewable energy for mobile networks is not a new concept to Africa. Namibia will soon be the first country in the world to power mobile networks using wind and solar energy. The base, owned by mobile phone company MTC Namibia, will serve 1,500 villagers, reported the BBC. From tami at blast.com Mon Feb 19 17:05:15 2007 From: tami at blast.com (Tami Schwerin) Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:05:15 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Piedmont Biofuels Industrial Tours Message-ID: <149E000F-2C1D-4527-9789-458E925AE489@blast.com> Come tour an Industrial Biofuels Plant! Piedmont Biofuels along with BioNetwork BioBusiness Center will be sponsoring tours every First Friday from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Tours are free and open to the first 25 people that preregister. To preregister, call 919-321-8260 or email: tours at biofuels.coop March 2 April 6 May 4 June 1 We are located at 547 Industrial Park in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Learn about biofuels and see the Industrial Ecology up close! Tami Schwerin tami at blast.com 919-444-9300 http://www.ncbionetwork.org http://www.wncbiobusiness.org http://www.biofuels.coop http://www.theabundancefoundation.org From marc at theforestfoundation.org Tue Feb 20 12:52:10 2007 From: marc at theforestfoundation.org (Marc Dreyfors-President) Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 12:52:10 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] FW: Press Release: Carbon offset companies using Enron style accounting Message-ID: -----Original Message----- From: news at carbontradewatch.org [mailto:news at carbontradewatch.org] Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:22 AM Cc: recipient list not shown: Subject: Press Release: Carbon offset companies using Enron style accounting Transnational Institute Press Release 20 February, 2007 Carbon offset companies using Enron style accounting While the UK Parliament?s Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into the carbon offsets industry hears it first evidence today, a new report by Carbon Trade Watch shows that the carbon offset industry is using the same sort of ?future value accounting? that caused the collapse of energy giant Enron. When companies like Climate Care and the Carbon Neutral Company sell the public carbon offsets, carbon savings expected to be made in the future are counted as savings made in the present. This is known as ?future value accounting? and is the same technique used by Enron to inflate its profits with such disastrous consequences. Offset companies give the idea that emissions are instantly ?neutralised? when in fact the supposed ?neutralisation? can take place over periods of up to a hundred years. Regular offsetting worsens the problem because the rate at which carbon emissions are ?neutralised? is far slower than the rate at which they are generated. The Carbon Neutral Myth ? Offset Indulgences for your Climate Sins, launched today by Carbon Trade Watch, a project of the Amsterdam-based Transnational Institute, draws on extensive research and case studies to argue that: ? Offset companies breed complacency by selling ?peace of mind? to consumers, offering up a form of ?greenwash? that distracts from the serious task of tackling unsustainable consumption patterns and business practices ? Limited research on the climate benefits of tree plantations into the carbon cycle is sold as fact while the offset companies quantify this supposed benefit into a sellable commodity. ? Tree plantations marketed as beneficial for the climate have seen people in the South expelled from their lands. ? Projects that look great on the website or in the leaflet are often, in practice, mismanaged, ineffective or detrimental to the local communities who have to endure them. The report?s author, Kevin Smith, said that ?The only effective way of dealing with climate change is to dramatically decrease our current rates of fossil fuel consumption. Offsets are providing a justification to maintain our carbon- intensive lifestyles, and delaying the profound changes we need to make in our societies.? Jutta Kill from the organisation FERN, who is today giving evidence to the UK parliament Environmental Audit Committee said that ?Government proposals to regulate offset companies misleadingly give the impression that there are bad offsets and good offsets. The fact is that all offset projects are sanctioning further fossil fuel use, and in doing so are a dangerous distraction from tackling climate change.? The full report The Carbon Neutral Myth ? Offset Indulgences for your Climate Sins is available online at: www.carbontradewatch.org/pubs/carbon_neutral_myth.pdf For more information: Kevin Smith, Transnational Institute, +44 207 700 7972 kevin at carbontradewatch.org Jutta Kill, FERN, +44 7931 576538 jutta at fern.org ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ ----- End forwarded message ----- ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ From dentonconrad at netzero.net Wed Feb 21 09:46:52 2007 From: dentonconrad at netzero.net (Denton Conrad) Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:46:52 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] New diesel engines from Catepillar Message-ID: <45DC5B5C.9040408@netzero.net> "Caterpillar has introduced three new compact, emissions-compliant diesel engines intended for use in small and mid-size construction, agricultural, turf, and outdoor power. The C1.5, C1.7, and C2.2 available in naturally aspirated, turbocharged and turbocharged aftercooled configurations, complement five previously-announced engines in Cat?s compact diesel line-up." http://www.dpncanada.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=986&Itemid=146 From dentonconrad at netzero.net Thu Feb 22 10:03:16 2007 From: dentonconrad at netzero.net (Denton Conrad) Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:03:16 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Triangle's fuel choices are few Message-ID: <45DDB0B4.3000909@netzero.net> "The fuel is provided by Piedmont Biofuels." http://www.newsobserver.com/244/story/545861.html From wrenchwench at blast.com Fri Feb 23 20:53:15 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:53:15 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] GSMNP vehicles to begin using biodiesel Message-ID: <2D5F5A29-61DD-4682-8DF0-F8FE1DD32602@blast.com> HaywoodCountyNews.com The diesel fleet on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will soon be fueling up with B-50 biodiesel. The switch is being made possible by a Clean Fuel Advanced Technology grant, as well as additional funding from the Friends of the Smokies specialty license plate program. Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources such as soybeans. It can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. In this particular case, the park will be using B-50, which includes 50 percent biodiesel fuel. To support the switch to biodiesel, the park will install a 4,000- gallon tank at their Oconaluftee Maintenance Yard in Swain County. A smaller, 1,000-gallon tank will then be relocated to serve park vehicles in Cataloochee Valley in Haywood County. Both tanks will be dedicated to B-50 biodiesel fuel, and they will serve nearly two- dozen diesel vehicles that consume 12,000 gallons of fuel each year ?This biodiesel refueling project will help us achieve our long-term goal of stabilizing or improving air quality in the park,? said Dale Ditmanson, Park Superintendent. ?We also see it as a great opportunity to lead by example as we host local school groups and millions of visitors from all across the country and world.? Friends of the Smokies secured a grant of more than $33,000 from the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Project, which is managed in North Carolina by the North Carolina Solar Center and NC State University. Project partners include the NC Department of Transportation, the State Energy Office of the NC Department of Administration, and the NC Division of Air Quality. Friends of the Smokies will also provide matching funds of more than $8,000 through their specialty license plate program. The Smokies license plate has raised more than $946,000 since its launch in 1999 to support conservation, education, and other projects on the North Carolina side of the park. Of the extra $30 annual fee for the specialty tag, $20 goes to Friends of the Smokies. The Smokies license tags can be ordered anytime at any local North Carolina license plate agency office or online at https://edmv- sp.dot.state.nc.us/sp/SpecialPlatesPortal.html. For more information, go online to www.friendsofthesmokies.org or call Friends of the Smokies, 452-0720. From one at swimmindustries.com Mon Feb 26 12:54:06 2007 From: one at swimmindustries.com (Mike Swimm) Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:54:06 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 2002 Jetta GLS TDI for Sale Message-ID: <7b8f03e00702260954o19c1110ew37d4c0e3cff7365c@mail.gmail.com> I am selling my excellent condition '02 TDI Jetta. It is a silver automatic with 76k, tons of options, located in RTP. Asking price $12,900. Photos and additional specs are listed here: http://5x1000.backpackit.com/pub/970369 Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Mike Swimm cell - 919-593-6447 email - mikeswimm at gmail.com Thanks! From knelson at pittsboroford.com Mon Feb 26 15:41:07 2007 From: knelson at pittsboroford.com (Kim Nelson) Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:41:07 -0700 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 2006 Jeep Liberty Diesel for Sale Message-ID: <20070226134107.ffa682572784c123548ce65fa042d9e1.4800613777.wbe@email.secureserver.net> Hello, We just got in a 2006 Jeep Liberty Diesel SUV in. This vehicle is like new and a very hard to find Diesel. It is a Red Limited with the CRD package. Gray leather interior and all the extras. It is a 4x4 with 26,000 miles and has brand new tires. The price is $22,950. If anyone would like any additional information or like us to email them pictures just let us know. You can either call me (Kim Nelson) or TJ Whitlow at the dealership. Kim Nelson Pittsboro Ford 1245 Thompson Street Pittsboro, NC 27312 T.919-542-3131 Toll Free 888-293-FORD(3673) F.919-642-0181 C.910-233-5036 Email knelson at pittsboroford.com From knelson at pittsboroford.com Mon Feb 26 15:41:07 2007 From: knelson at pittsboroford.com (Kim Nelson) Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:41:07 -0700 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 2006 Jeep Liberty Diesel for Sale Message-ID: <20070226134107.ffa682572784c123548ce65fa042d9e1.81ae964022.wbe@email.secureserver.net> Hello, We just got in a 2006 Jeep Liberty Diesel SUV in. This vehicle is like new and a very hard to find Diesel. It is a Red Limited with the CRD package. Gray leather interior and all the extras. It is a 4x4 with 26,000 miles and has brand new tires. The price is $22,950. If anyone would like any additional information or like us to email them pictures just let us know. You can either call me (Kim Nelson) or TJ Whitlow at the dealership. Kim Nelson Pittsboro Ford 1245 Thompson Street Pittsboro, NC 27312 T.919-542-3131 Toll Free 888-293-FORD(3673) F.919-642-0181 C.910-233-5036 Email knelson at pittsboroford.com From wrenchwench at blast.com Mon Feb 26 16:04:07 2007 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:04:07 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Biodiesel Fuel quality workshop References: <34B8DA72-61FD-45E3-8345-E6793D1471CB@blast.com> Message-ID: <425F9AAC-E35B-41D2-90B8-AB8657A6D2D2@blast.com> > Interested in using biodiesel on the farm? > Maybe for your tractor, truck, or even generator? > > As part of a grant through the National Center for Appropriate > Technology and the USDA Risk Management Agency, > Piedmont Biofuels has been contracted to provide a free workshop on > Biodiesel production and fuel quality to farmers > and agricultural professionals in the eastern region of the United > States. > > The purpose of this workshop is to address energy risk by providing > accurate information to agricultural professionals > on biodiesel fuel production and how to maintain proper fuel > quality for use in farm trucks and tractors. > > Date: Wednesday, March 7th > Location: North Carolina Solar Center, Alternative Fuels Garage, > Raleigh, NC > (located beside the McKimmon Center at North Carolina State > University in Raleigh) > Time: 10:00 am -4:00 pm > Additional Information available at: www.biofuels.coop > > This workshop is free of charge to farmers and/or agricultural > professionals. > A boxed lunch will also be provided. > To register for this workshop please email: rachel at biofuels.coop or > call 919-321-8260 > This workshop is limited to 25 participants. > > This workshop will include both a lecture portion with questions > and answers and a hands-on demonstration of fuel quality methods > and biodiesel production upon a trailer-mounted mobile biodiesel > reactor. > > Attendees typically leave with a basic understanding of how > biodiesel is produced, how to insure fuel quality, and where they > should go for further information. > > > Course Description: > > 9:30am Course Registration > 10:00am- 10:15am Course Overview > 10: 20 am ? 11:20am Introduction to Biodiesel Fuel > 11:20 ? 12:00 pm Small-scale Biodiesel Production > 12:00 ? 1:00 Lunch > 1:00 pm ?2:30pm Understanding Fuel Quality > 2:30 pm Overview with Question and Answer > 3:00 pm ? 4:00pm Tour of North Carolina Department of Agriculture- > Motor Fuels Laboratory > > > Thanks, > > Rachel Burton > Piedmont Biofuels > www.biofuels.coop > 919-321-8260 > rachel at biofuels.coop > From luke at nwdinc.com Mon Feb 26 16:23:43 2007 From: luke at nwdinc.com (luke nwd) Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:23:43 -0800 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Biodiesel Stoves Message-ID: <17A552E0-90AF-401D-AEDB-E8A6D807B2A7@nwdinc.com> Dear Fellow Biodiesel Enthusiast, My name is Luke and I work for a company called Northwest Distribution Inc., as a company we are the national distributor for Kuma biodiesel oil stoves. Kuma oil stoves are the only oil stoves currently on the market certified to burn biodiesel. Kuma oil stoves will burn any blend of biodiesel from B100 to B1. Based on my limited research of the Biodiesel industry I have come to find out that these stoves are pretty much unknown in the industry. Most biodiesel enthusiasts from home-brewers to more commercial outfits are mainly producing biodiesel for automobile or farming applications. Now you know there is a certified biodiesel oil stove on the market and it is wonderful technology that will allow you to heat your complete residence with the biodiesel you are currently processing. There are wholesale opportunities available as well with significant margins if you want to resell the stoves. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like additional information. Also any advice as to how I could go about getting this information to the biodiesel masses would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a link to the manufacturers website so you can take a look at the stoves. www.kumastoves.com Yours In Service, Luke D. Manitsas Northwest Distribution Inc. luke at nwdinc.com 1-800-659-8937 From mapmantx at yahoo.com Mon Feb 26 17:05:42 2007 From: mapmantx at yahoo.com (John Hollingsworth) Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:05:42 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 2006 Jeep Liberty Diesel for Sale In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <418269.1811.qm@web55310.mail.re4.yahoo.com> Hi all, Just wanted to say that I've been running my '06 Jeep Liberty CRD on B100 (or some splash mix recently) for over a year with no problems. I did have to recently change my fuel filter at 17K miles. Other than that, it runs like a champ. I start it up on 25 degree mornings just fine. OK, well just fine is pushing it. It takes a little while to start up, but it doesn't seem to need a prolonged warm up period after that. Cheers, John Hollingsworth Kim Nelson wrote on 26 Feb 2007: Hello, We just got in a 2006 Jeep Liberty Diesel SUV in. This vehicle is like new and a very hard to find Diesel. It is a Red Limited with the CRD... ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ From chip227 at comcast.net Mon Feb 26 22:04:28 2007 From: chip227 at comcast.net (Chip Romano) Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:04:28 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Looking for a local group Message-ID: I live in Newark, Delaware and am looking for a local Bio interest group. Any help would be greatly appreciated. From john.bonitz at gmail.com Tue Feb 27 12:26:07 2007 From: john.bonitz at gmail.com (John Bonitz) Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:26:07 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] caution re: local mechanics shop Message-ID: <84a57a420702270926h69699900mfda9c53faeec4c9a@mail.gmail.com> Hello friends of the fat, I'm writing with a tale of caution about a local mechanics shop that is entirely too busy to deliver high quality service. I had an experience I do not want any of my friends to have to repeat. I believe they are getting a few referrals from Piedmont Biofuels because they have one guy who knows diesels, which is why I am broadcasting this tale here. The shop is Siler City Radiator Service, on Third Street. My beef is they gave me a verbal quote for "about $500" for a clutch-job, then did not take the time to tell me the job was actually going to cost more than twice that amount. I had specifically requested an estimate before doing the work, I got the verbal estimate, gave them the go-ahead, and then the work ended up costing more than $1100. This was not the first time that I felt they were not paying any attention to my requests that they contain costs. This shop does top-notch mechanical work: I have no beef with their technical expertise. But they are also widely known for charging premium prices for their labor. ("Expensive, but good" is what three neighbors told me before I took my trade there two years ago.) Frankly, if they are too busy for a 2 minute phonecall about a DOUBLING of an estimated quotation, then they do not need my business. And they probably don't need the business of my many friends and neighbors of modest income. Since my experience, I have heard of others who have had similar experiences. And a quick observation driving past their lot in Siler City clearly shows that they have more business than they know what to do with. I urge people to think twice about taking their vehicles to Siler City Radiator Service. I don't like to be negative, but after addressing my concerns to management, Jimmy offered nothing but terse excuses. ("It was an informal quote." "I've got ten people on payroll.") So, on a positive note, I'll point to a list of other diesel mechanics in the area: http://biofuels.coop/general-information/mechanics/ Thanks for reading, John -- John Bonitz Silk Hope, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From marc at theforestfoundation.org Tue Feb 27 17:44:56 2007 From: marc at theforestfoundation.org (Marc Dreyfors-President) Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:44:56 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Another slam of the biofuels industry Message-ID: http://ww4report.com/node/28647 From bknighton at nc.rr.com Tue Feb 27 19:56:07 2007 From: bknighton at nc.rr.com (Bill Knighton) Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:56:07 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Another slam of the biofuels industry In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <45E4D327.6030607@nc.rr.com> Marc Dreyfors-President wrote: > http://ww4report.com/node/28647 > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > > > This link doesn't work. But it seems like an interesting site. Using the search function on their web site for biodiesel I get a story called "The real scoop on biofuels". Is this it? From fred at cforse.org Wed Feb 28 19:04:46 2007 From: fred at cforse.org (fred kirsch) Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:04:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Organic? In-Reply-To: <45E4D327.6030607@nc.rr.com> Message-ID: <365624.88710.qm@web58108.mail.re3.yahoo.com> This article brings up the question of land use. A good question. I know that US food-crop production is more likely hurting poor people around the world then helping, and I don't care if the price of factory chicken goes through the roof. So I don't really care about the food v/s fuel debate. I do care about pesticides, fertilizers, and land use. My question is this: Can feedstock for biodiesel be grown organically? It seems to me that if you can process soy, mustard, sunflowers, and whatever else in the same BD batch, then you ought to be able to grow them in the same field and reduce the need for chemicals. Does anyone have an answer for this? I'd also like to say that what is fueling the destruction of the rainforest is not biofuels, but economics. The people will find any reason to cut the forest for a buck. Honduras has no biofuel production but will likely be deforested by 2050. Haiti? > > RE: > This link doesn't work. But it seems like an > interesting site. Using > the search function on their web site for biodiesel > I get a story called > "The real scoop on biofuels". Is this it? Fred Kirsch Community for Sustainable Energy www.cforse.org 970-412-6295 From MarkJ.Ambrose at gmail.com Wed Feb 28 22:57:58 2007 From: MarkJ.Ambrose at gmail.com (Mark Ambrose) Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 22:57:58 -0500 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Organic? In-Reply-To: <365624.88710.qm@web58108.mail.re3.yahoo.com> References: <365624.88710.qm@web58108.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <45E64F46.40906@gmail.com> I'll make a stab at a short answer: Can you grow oil seed as biodiesel feedstock? Yes. Folks were growing soybeans, mustard, and sunflowers before we had pesticides and chemical feritlizers. They still can. However, yield per acre might be reduced, so if you concern is forest or pairies being converted to cropland, organic might not be the optimal choice. Can you grow multiple oil seed crops together in an organic system that reduces the need for chemicals? Well, you could certainly do some form of crop rotation. Rotating soybeans (a nitrogen-fixer) with another oil seed crop might be a very good choice. However, I would never want to try to grow soybeans, mustard, and sunflowers in the same field. It would probably be a total disaster. Soy and sunflower are warm-season crops. Mustard (and canola) are cool season crops, so you would be planting and harvesting at a different times. Plus, sunflower grows very tall compared to soy or mustard; it would probably shade the others out. It would also be very hard to use any sort of mechanical harvesting equipment for one crop that would not damage the others. -- Mark fred kirsch wrote: >This article brings up the question of land use. A >good question. I know that US food-crop production is >more likely hurting poor people around the world then >helping, and I don't care if the price of factory >chicken goes through the roof. So I don't really care >about the food v/s fuel debate. I do care about >pesticides, fertilizers, and land use. >My question is this: Can feedstock for biodiesel be >grown organically? It seems to me that if you can >process soy, mustard, sunflowers, and whatever else in >the same BD batch, then you ought to be able to grow >them in the same field and reduce the need for >chemicals. Does anyone have an answer for this? > >I'd also like to say that what is fueling the >destruction of the rainforest is not biofuels, but >economics. The people will find any reason to cut the >forest for a buck. Honduras has no biofuel production >but will likely be deforested by 2050. Haiti? > > > >>> RE: >>> >>> >>This link doesn't work. But it seems like an >>interesting site. Using >>the search function on their web site for biodiesel >>I get a story called >>"The real scoop on biofuels". Is this it? >> >> > >Fred Kirsch >Community for Sustainable Energy >www.cforse.org >970-412-6295 >_______________________________________________ >Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list >Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net >http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > > > >