From john.bonitz at gmail.com Thu May 1 10:58:58 2008 From: john.bonitz at gmail.com (John Bonitz) Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 10:58:58 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] "Are you sitting down?" Message-ID: <84a57a420805010758x678a8558r382463634f16572e@mail.gmail.com> April 30, 2008 Op-Ed Columnist Dumb as We Wanna Be By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN It is great to see that we finally have some national unity on energy policy. Unfortunately, the unifying idea is so ridiculous, so unworthy of the people aspiring to lead our nation, it takes your breath away. Hillary Clinton has decided to line up with John McCain in pushing to suspend the federal excise tax on gasoline, 18.4 cents a gallon, for this summer's travel season. This is not an energy policy. This is money laundering: we borrow money from China and ship it to Saudi Arabia and take a little cut for ourselves as it goes through our gas tanks. What a way to build our country. When the summer is over, we will have increased our debt to China, increased our transfer of wealth to Saudi Arabia and increased our contribution to global warming for our kids to inherit. No, no, no, we'll just get the money by taxing Big Oil, says Mrs. Clinton. Even if you could do that, what a terrible way to spend precious tax dollars ? burning it up on the way to the beach rather than on innovation? The McCain-Clinton gas holiday proposal is a perfect example of what energy expert Peter Schwartz of Global Business Network describes as the true American energy policy today: "Maximize demand, minimize supply and buy the rest from the people who hate us the most." Good for Barack Obama for resisting this shameful pandering. But here's what's scary: our problem is so much worse than you think. We have no energy strategy. If you are going to use tax policy to shape energy strategy then you want to raise taxes on the things you want to discourage ? gasoline consumption and gas-guzzling cars ? and you want to lower taxes on the things you want to encourage ? new, renewable energy technologies. We are doing just the opposite. Are you sitting down? Few Americans know it, but for almost a year now, Congress has been bickering over whether and how to renew the investment tax credit to stimulate investment in solar energy and the production tax credit to encourage investment in wind energy. The bickering has been so poisonous that when Congress passed the 2007 energy bill last December, it failed to extend any stimulus for wind and solar energy production. Oil and gas kept all their credits, but those for wind and solar have been left to expire this December. I am not making this up. At a time when we should be throwing everything into clean power innovation, we are squabbling over pennies. These credits are critical because they ensure that if oil prices slip back down again ? which often happens ? investments in wind and solar would still be profitable. That's how you launch a new energy technology and help it achieve scale, so it can compete without subsidies. The Democrats wanted the wind and solar credits to be paid for by taking away tax credits from the oil industry. President Bush said he would veto that. Neither side would back down, and Mr. Bush ? showing not one iota of leadership ? refused to get all the adults together in a room and work out a compromise. Stalemate. Meanwhile, Germany has a 20-year solar incentive program; Japan 12 years. Ours, at best, run two years. "It's a disaster," says Michael Polsky, founder of Invenergy, one of the biggest wind-power developers in America. "Wind is a very capital-intensive industry, and financial institutions are not ready to take 'Congressional risk.' They say if you don't get the [production tax credit] we will not lend you the money to buy more turbines and build projects." It is also alarming, says Rhone Resch, the president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, that the U.S. has reached a point "where the priorities of Congress could become so distorted by politics" that it would turn its back on the next great global industry ? clean power ? "but that's exactly what is happening." If the wind and solar credits expire, said Resch, the impact in just 2009 would be more than 100,000 jobs either lost or not created in these industries, and $20 billion worth of investments that won't be made. While all the presidential candidates were railing about lost manufacturing jobs in Ohio, no one noticed that America's premier solar company, First Solar, from Toledo, Ohio, was opening its newest factory in the former East Germany ? 540 high-paying engineering jobs ? because Germany has created a booming solar market and America has not. In 1997, said Resch, America was the leader in solar energy technology, with 40 percent of global solar production. "Last year, we were less than 8 percent, and even most of that was manufacturing for overseas markets." The McCain-Clinton proposal is a reminder to me that the biggest energy crisis we have in our country today is the energy to be serious ? the energy to do big things in a sustained, focused and intelligent way. We are in the midst of a national political brownout. [END OF OP-ED] Please call! Sen. Elizabeth Dole: 202/224-6342 Sen. Richard Burr: 202/224-3154 Ask for full-funding of the renewables PTC by ending the tax-breaks for oil & gas. -- John Bonitz Silk Hope, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From bonitz at cleanenergy.org Thu May 1 22:17:54 2008 From: bonitz at cleanenergy.org (John Bonitz) Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 22:17:54 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 25x25 shines light of reason on biofuels Message-ID: Dear Friends of Biofuels: The following letter was issued this evening by the 25x25 coalition. Although the group leans heavily toward corn-ethanol interests, their positions on biofuels are worthy of consideration. ~ ~ ~ John Bonitz, Farm Outreach & Policy Advocate Southern Alliance for Clean Energy PO Box 1833, Pittsboro, NC 27312 Phone: 919-545-2920 Mobile: 919-360-2492 Email: bonitz at cleanenergy.org Web: http://www.cleanenergy.org Dear 25x'25 Partners: In recent weeks there has been a flurry of alarmist media reports that suggest biofuels development is primarily responsible for food shortages, destruction of tropical rain forests, increases in greenhouse gas emissions and other catastrophes. We are sensitive to the concerns that have been raised, but also recognize that these issues are complex. Our view is that biofuel policy should be based on science and facts and not on incomplete or inaccurate information. Towards this end, we have begun working proactively to help policy makers, opinion leaders and reporters better understand the multifaceted issues involved with biofuel production. Today the 25x'25 National Steering Committee submitted a statement for the Congressional Joint Economic Committee hearing that was held on biofuel impacts on food prices. This statement can be accessed here: http://www.25x25.org/storage/25x25/documents/PartnerContactDocuments/25x25_s c_statement-jec%20hearing_5-1-08.pdf We have also developed a set of key messages to help 25x'25 partners with communicating the facts about biofuel impacts on food. This can be accessed here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=CuR51ZeNjEPO8TMIX4bWn a%2Fx6N1bNZAq In all of our communications outreach work, the 25x'25 goal remains our focal point - "By 2025, America's farms, forests and ranches will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed and fiber." We also stand by the sustainability principles we released last month and urge policy makers to utilize them as they craft enabling policies to guide biofuel development going forward. http://www.25x25.org/storage/25x25/documents/SustainabilityPrinciples/sustai nability_principles3-7-08.pdf Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need additional information to support outreach work on this important issue. Sincerely, Read Smith and Bill Richards 25x'25 Co-Chairs From zapatavive at suddenlink.net Fri May 2 15:51:32 2008 From: zapatavive at suddenlink.net (Zapata Vive) Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 15:51:32 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 25x25 shines light of reason on biofuels References: Message-ID: <001301c8ac8d$ec3917f0$2a02a8c0@heather> Web page can't be found... Well their main page works, but the link to the article doesn't ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Bonitz" To: Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:17 PM Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 25x25 shines light of reason on biofuels > Dear Friends of Biofuels: > > The following letter was issued this evening by the 25x25 coalition. > Although the group leans heavily toward corn-ethanol interests, their > positions on biofuels are worthy of consideration. > > ~ ~ ~ > > John Bonitz, > Farm Outreach & Policy Advocate > Southern Alliance for Clean Energy > PO Box 1833, Pittsboro, NC 27312 > Phone: 919-545-2920 > Mobile: 919-360-2492 > Email: bonitz at cleanenergy.org > Web: http://www.cleanenergy.org > > > > > Dear 25x'25 Partners: > > In recent weeks there has been a flurry of alarmist media reports that > suggest biofuels development is primarily responsible for food shortages, > destruction of tropical rain forests, increases in greenhouse gas > emissions > and other catastrophes. > > We are sensitive to the concerns that have been raised, but also recognize > that these issues are complex. Our view is that biofuel policy should be > based on science and facts and not on incomplete or inaccurate > information. > Towards this end, we have begun working proactively to help policy makers, > opinion leaders and reporters better understand the multifaceted issues > involved with biofuel production. > > Today the 25x'25 National Steering Committee submitted a statement for the > Congressional Joint Economic Committee hearing that was held on biofuel > impacts on food prices. This statement can be accessed here: > http://www.25x25.org/storage/25x25/documents/PartnerContactDocuments/25x25_s > c_statement-jec%20hearing_5-1-08.pdf > > We have also developed a set of key messages to help 25x'25 partners with > communicating the facts about biofuel impacts on food. This can be > accessed > here: > http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=CuR51ZeNjEPO8TMIX4bWn > a%2Fx6N1bNZAq > > In all of our communications outreach work, the 25x'25 goal remains our > focal point - "By 2025, America's farms, forests and ranches will provide > 25 > percent of the total energy consumed in the United States, while > continuing > to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed and fiber." We also > stand by the sustainability principles we released last month and urge > policy makers to utilize them as they craft enabling policies to guide > biofuel development going forward. > http://www.25x25.org/storage/25x25/documents/SustainabilityPrinciples/sustai > nability_principles3-7-08.pdf > > Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need > additional > information to support outreach work on this important issue. > > Sincerely, > > > Read Smith and Bill Richards > 25x'25 Co-Chairs > > > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group From phil at causative.net Wed May 7 16:08:37 2008 From: phil at causative.net (Philip Olinger) Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 16:08:37 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] FOR SALE: Silver 2002 VW New Beetle GLS TDI 5-speed Message-ID: <48220C45.2040501@causative.net> I'm cross-posting this from craigslist because I love you guys, and I want biodiesel-ers to have first crack at this. http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/671827821.html The car has been running high blends of biodiesel for 2 years, and is happier with veg biodiesel than with petrodiesel. I'll miss it, but I need to get rid of my car payment more. Phil Olinger phil at causative.net From sjhr2000 at mailcan.com Fri May 9 11:47:00 2008 From: sjhr2000 at mailcan.com (Steve Rankin) Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 11:47:00 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] biofuel articles Message-ID: <1210348020.6181.1252310221@webmail.messagingengine.com> http://www.slate.com/id/2190878 and http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/35644 -- Steve J. Rankin sjhr2000 at mailcan.com From tim_turner at ncsu.edu Sat May 10 21:56:28 2008 From: tim_turner at ncsu.edu (Tim Turner) Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 21:56:28 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 55-gal drums needed Message-ID: <4826524C.7010303@ncsu.edu> Sorry if this info has been posted recently, but does anyone have good quality used metal drums in the Raleigh area? I have an immediate need for 4 to 6 drums. Thanks! Tim From bonitz at cleanenergy.org Sat May 10 22:19:57 2008 From: bonitz at cleanenergy.org (John Bonitz) Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 22:19:57 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Farm Bill agreed Message-ID: Thanks to the 25x'25 Coalition for this good news update. http://www.25x25.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=431&Itemid=19 1 Conferees Reach Agreement on Farm Bill 5/09/08 Members of a House-Senate conference committee Thursday touted a new agreement on a five-year, $300 billion farm bill they say will provide $10 billion over baseline spending. Led by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), the conference committee leadership met with the press to show bipartisan support for the bill despite objections to the legislation from the White House. The conference committee leaders, who said the 73.5 percent of the "Food, Conservation and Energy Security Act of 2008" pertains to food and nutrition, announced their plans to take the measure to their respective floors for a vote next Wednesday. They said they feel that the bill will sell itself to members as they become more familiar with it and expect the measure will get the approval of majorities in both houses that would be sufficient to override a possible veto from President Bush. The White House has indicated the bill does not go far enough in reforming payment eligibility rules, a claim strongly disputed by Harkin and other committee members. Peterson said the conference committee was withholding details pending scoring (final cost estimates as measured against budget limitations) by the Congressional Budget Office, expected late Friday. However, reports indicate the measure offers about $1 billion more in spending for the energy title over baseline. That money will help fund renewable energy initiatives that include: * Acceleration of the commercialization of advanced biofuels, like cellulosic ethanol, by helping farmers produce biomass crops, by providing grants and loan guarantees to support new biorefineries, and by increasing bioenergy research. * Expansion of the renewable energy and energy efficiency program that was adopted in the 2002 farm bill. * A sugar-to-ethanol program under which USDA would purchase sugar as necessary to eliminate excessive supplies thereby avoiding forfeitures and reducing the cost of the sugar program. Another prominent provision in the energy title is a cellulosic biofuels production tax credit authored by Sen. Wayne Salazar (D-CO). The $1.01/gallon tax credit is good through 2012 for biofuels produced from renewable cellulosic feedstock, not food grain or food starch. The credit is a first-of-a-kind incentive that creates a tax credit for cellulosic biofuels produced for use as a fuel. The conservation title of the bill will include a new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) that will provide incentives for adopting, improving and maintaining sound conservation practices on land in agricultural production. The program will enroll just under 13 million acres each year (starting in 2009) through 2017, for a total of nearly 115 million acres. An additional $1.1 billion was provided for CSP, for a total of $12 billion over 10 years. The title will also boost spending for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help fund projects with special environmental significance, such as methane digesters. The measure would shave six cents off of the current ethanol blender tax credit of 51 cents and shift the money toward the development of cellulosic ethanol. "This is an energy bill," said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND). "We've made important changes to produce cellulosic ethanol and take pressure off of corn ethanol." Harkin and Peterson both sharply criticized media accounts and editorials blaming corn ethanol for the increase in global food prices. Harkin pointed out that the increases are attributable more to higher incomes and demand for food in China and India; along with poor crop harvests in South Asia and Australia; and significantly higher energy costs associated with food production driven by the price of oil. "There are people writing editorials that say ethanol is causing hunger in the world," said Peterson. "We know that isn't so." Conrad said the additional, above-baseline spending was "fully paid for and there is no tax increase associated with it." Conferees reportedly reached agreement to provide the additional $10 billion in funding from customs and users fees. For more information on the conference committee report as they become available, check back at http://agriculture.house.gov/ or http://agriculture.senate.gov/. From bryannewman at hotmail.com Sun May 11 13:34:03 2008 From: bryannewman at hotmail.com (bryan newman) Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 13:34:03 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] please post this message to the listserv Message-ID: Hello, I am a member of the listserv, could you please post the following msg? thanks!! ------------ 1983 Mercedes 240D For Sale I am putting my 1983 Mercedes 240D on the market since I am moving overseas for work. This car has a beautiful blue body, nice stereo and the engine is working great. there are no major problems with it as a whole. I originally bought it in August 2006 for $2,500 from Dias motors in Pittsboro. Since that time I have made many improvements to it, including new brakes, new alternator, new hoses, new brake master cylinder, etc, all done by Automotion in Carrboro. The only minor problems with the car are that the AC is broken and that one of the windows does not retract, though this is most likely a small, easily fixable electrical issue. I am looking to sell the car at the end of this month (May), just before I leave town on June 1st. I will consider most reasonable offers, as I would like to keep it in the biodiesel family, so to speak. Please contact me at 919 347 5819 or by email at bryannewman at hotmail.com with any questions you may have about the car, or if you'd like to see it. I live in Carrboro. Thanks. _________________________________________________________________ Get Free (PRODUCT) RED? Emoticons, Winks and Display Pics. http://joinred.spaces.live.com?ocid=TXT_HMTG_prodredemoticons_052008 From john.bonitz at gmail.com Mon May 12 10:52:50 2008 From: john.bonitz at gmail.com (John Bonitz) Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 10:52:50 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: Who is profiteering off the global food crisis? ....and why isn 't this being discussed in the current Presidential campaign in the U.S.? In-Reply-To: <000f01c8b385$187b3890$2301a8c0@edf9653c215cb9> References: <000f01c8b385$187b3890$2301a8c0@edf9653c215cb9> Message-ID: <84a57a420805120752x19c67edfw567d01851a33c3a5@mail.gmail.com> Very interesting. JB ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ed King Date: Sun, May 11, 2008 at 12:35 PM Subject: Who is profiteering off the global food crisis? ....and why isn 't this being discussed in the current Presidential campaign in the U.S.? To: NCGreens Giant Food & Biotech Corporations Make Billions in Profit from Growing Global Food Crisis a.. Multinationals Make Billions In Profit Out of Growing Global Food Crisis Speculators blamed for driving up price of basic foods as 100 million face severe hunger By Geoffrey Lean The Independent/UK, May 4, 2008 Straight to the Source Giant agribusinesses are enjoying soaring earnings and profits out of the world food crisis which is driving millions of people towards starvation, The Independent on Sunday can reveal. And speculation is helping to drive the prices of basic foodstuffs out of the reach of the hungry. The prices of wheat, corn and rice have soared over the past year driving the world's poor - who already spend about 80 per cent of their income on food - into hunger and destitution. The World Bank says that 100 million more people are facing severe hunger. Yet some of the world's richest food companies are making record profits. Monsanto last month reported that its net income for the three months up to the end of February this year had more than doubled over the same period in 2007, from $543m (?275m) to $1.12bn. Its profits increased from $1.44bn to $2.22bn. Cargill's net earnings soared by 86 per cent from $553m to $1.030bn over the same three months. And Archer Daniels Midland, one of the world's largest agricultural processors of soy, corn and wheat, increased its net earnings by 42 per cent in the first three months of this year from $363m to $517m. The operating profit of its grains merchandising and handling operations jumped 16-fold from $21m to $341m. Similarly, the Mosaic Company, one of the world's largest fertiliser companies, saw its income for the three months ending 29 February rise more than 12-fold, from $42.2m to $520.8m, on the back of a shortage of fertiliser. The prices of some kinds of fertiliser have more than tripled over the past year as demand has outstripped supply. As a result, plans to increase harvests in developing countries have been hit hard. The Food and Agriculture Organisation reports that 37 developing countries are in urgent need of food. And food riots are breaking out across the globe from Bangladesh to Burkina Faso, from China to Cameroon, and from Uzbekistan to the United Arab Emirates. Benedict Southworth, director of the World Development Movement, called the escalating earnings and profits "immoral" late last week. He said that the benefits of the food price increases were being kept by the big companies, and were not finding their way down to farmers in the developing world... Full Story: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/mul... -- John Bonitz Silk Hope, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From john.bonitz at gmail.com Mon May 12 12:51:27 2008 From: john.bonitz at gmail.com (John Bonitz) Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 12:51:27 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] OFF-TOPIC Re: Who is profiteering off the global food crisis? ....and why isn 't this being discussed in the current Presidential campaign in the U.S.? Message-ID: <84a57a420805120951i1549f934qe5b2e3e936a67691@mail.gmail.com> Dear Friends of Biofuels, I owe the subscribers of this list an apology. I had intended to make my last post with the warning "OFF-TOPIC" in the subject line. However, I think that agricultural feedstocks, and the question of what is driving their prices, are appropriate points of discussion here, which is why I forwarded the article. I think most people would agree, when people are rioting over food prices, there is indeed a crisis. Articles like this one help us see it is not simply a problem of scarcity (as corn-ethanol opponents would have us think). Supply still remains high in some regions, yet worldwide prices are over-inflated. However, I don't think it is as simple as ADM, Cargill, etc., profiteering. They are powerful, but I think the hedge funds are the bigger force. They are totally unregulated, largely unquantified, which makes it difficult to measure their impact. George Soros is promoting his newest book today , and he said something relevant on the radio today: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90328243 Soros says there's a "super-bubble" in the economy that's bigger than just the recent housing crises, and he blames exotic financial instruments for helping cause it. "I am saying that America has in the last 25 years sucked up the savings of the rest of the world and consumed it and issued a large number of IOUs," he says, referring to U.S. debt. "These IOUs are now held in the central banks of China and other Asian exporting countries [including Japan] and oil producers." Those countries are worried that there's too much U.S. debt and "they don't want to hold" those IOUs, Soros says. [This explains the weakness of the dollar, and why wealth is fleeing from the dollar.] Without a "good alternative to holding dollars," he says, these countries set up government-controlled sovereign wealth funds, which are investing billions of dollars in the United States and other nations. "This is one of the factors that has fueled energy prices, commodity prices and more recently food prices," Soros says. That is "setting up inflationary pressures at the same time as the [U.S.] is on the verge of a recession. "So you have a recession and inflation at the same time," he adds. "That's why this crisis is different from the previous ones." This subject of sovereign wealth funds (a type of hedge fund) was explored on Capitol Hill last month. The Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to "examine the influence of non-commercial, institutional investors on the price of oil." http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&He aring_ID=aa2058f5-0ee0-0bc0-84f4-dfa529e08c29 Some choice observations: + The evidence suggests there is an orgy of speculation in the futures market. We have people buying something they'll never get from people who never had it. + There are only 120 commercial trading desks (oil companies) and 320 non-commercial trading desks (speculators) in the entire oil market, as reported by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission. + About 20 times more oil is sold everyday than on the NYMEX than is actually consumed on a daily basis in the U.S. + The margin requirement for trading this commodity is 10 times less than equities. (Whereas the margin requirement is 50% for options trading on stocks, it is only 5% for oil.) In short, with $5k, you can control $100k of oil. + Meanwhile, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission is at all-time low staff levels, while trading activity across all commodities are at record highs. Even the conservative, regulated traders are moving to commodities, however, because the dollar is so weak. What we are seeing is akin to rats fleeing a sinking ship - wealth-holders are pouring cash into anything and everything they believe could possibly be in demand tomorrow. In that regard, oil is superior to gold. Likewise, corn, wheat, and rice are superior to just about any other investments available in today's market. However, here's the kicker on oil: If you grasp the implications of non-commercial, unregulated traders betting on a declining dollar and rising demand - and then you consider that some of those traders are very savvy agents of very large foreign sovereign funds controlled by people who can *also* handily control the global oil supply... then you can see the depth of the problem. It's not all speculation though - The fundamentals of the market are, indeed, putting stress on the price (to wit, rising demand from Asia). But speculation accounts for 10%-50% of the price, depending on who you believe (EIA or Exxon, respectively). And the original reason for the weakness of the dollar? Well, paying for war by printing money doesn't help. But neither does the fact that we have had such a massive trade imbalance for several decades. I blame it on cars and wal-mart. Perhaps the complexity of this helps explain why it is not being discussed in our sound-bite based Presidential campaign? Please note that these opinions are my own. -- John Bonitz Silk Hope, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From taterpatch at gmail.com Mon May 12 14:55:03 2008 From: taterpatch at gmail.com (Randall Hayes) Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 14:55:03 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: Who is profiteering off the global food crisis? ....and why isn 't this being discussed in the current Presidential campaign in the U.S.? In-Reply-To: <84a57a420805120752x19c67edfw567d01851a33c3a5@mail.gmail.com> References: <000f01c8b385$187b3890$2301a8c0@edf9653c215cb9> <84a57a420805120752x19c67edfw567d01851a33c3a5@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <63311b250805121155of09d58dq3af20a8ae593bf92@mail.gmail.com> Not at all unrelated. Enzymes for breaking down cellulose. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/05/09/fungus-genome-ethanol.html -rh From bonitz at cleanenergy.org Thu May 15 17:37:22 2008 From: bonitz at cleanenergy.org (John Bonitz) Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 17:37:22 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] OFF-TOPIC: Farm Bill Passes by Veto-Proof Margin Message-ID: Friends, Good news on the Farm Bill! Both the House and the Senate have approved it with sufficient numbers to override a potential veto. The 2008 Farm Bill (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) was approved by the House yesterday in a vote of 318 to 106. Today the Senate passed the Farm Bill by a vote of 81-15. This broad, bi-partisan support is a strong message against President Bush's threatened veto. He now has three options -- the first is to veto the bill and face a sure override; second, he can choose not to sign it and allow it to become law after 10 days; or finally, he can choose to sign it and support the overwhelming majority in Congress who recognize the vital necessity of incremental improvements. Summaries of the final Farm Bill can be found here: http://www.farmenergy.org/newsitem.php?item_id=437 http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/2007FarmBill.html http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKN1526873620080515 http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=2 0080515006116&newsLang=en In coming days I will be circulating more information as to the ramifications for biofuels, biopower, and bioproducts. Cheers! John -- John Bonitz Farm Outreach & Policy Advocate Southern Alliance for Clean Energy P.O. Box 1833, Pittsboro, NC 27312 (O) 919.545.2920 (C) 919.360.2492 bonitz at cleanenergy.org http://www.cleanenergy.org From francismiller at comcast.net Thu May 15 18:10:01 2008 From: francismiller at comcast.net (Francis M. Miller) Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 16:10:01 -0600 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] OFF-TOPIC: Farm Bill Passes by Veto-Proof Margin In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <482CB4B9.9060905@comcast.net> John: There are some of us who think this bill is counter-productive. Fran Miller. Denver Bonitz wrote: >Friends, > >Good news on the Farm Bill! Both the House and the Senate have approved it >with sufficient numbers to override a potential veto. > >The 2008 Farm Bill (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) was approved >by the House yesterday in a vote of 318 to 106. Today the Senate passed the >Farm Bill by a vote of 81-15. > >This broad, bi-partisan support is a strong message against President Bush's >threatened veto. He now has three options -- the first is to veto the bill >and face a sure override; second, he can choose not to sign it and allow it >to become law after 10 days; or finally, he can choose to sign it and >support the overwhelming majority in Congress who recognize the vital >necessity of incremental improvements. > >Summaries of the final Farm Bill can be found here: > >http://www.farmenergy.org/newsitem.php?item_id=437 >http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/2007FarmBill.html >http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKN1526873620080515 >http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=2 >0080515006116&newsLang=en > >In coming days I will be circulating more information as to the >ramifications for biofuels, biopower, and bioproducts. > >Cheers! > >John > > > From info at theforestfoundation.org Fri May 16 14:37:40 2008 From: info at theforestfoundation.org (Info -TFF) Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 14:37:40 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] [Fwd: The Best Gas-Saving Tip Ever] Message-ID: <482DD474.5030003@theforestfoundation.org> More books on tape? -------- Original Message -------- Subject: The Best Gas-Saving Tip Ever Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 17:38:16 -0500 (CDT) From: Greg Haegele/Sierra Club Reply-To: Greg Haegele/Sierra Club Organization: Sierra Club To: marc at theforestfoundation.org Dear John Mark, Memorial Day Weekend is coming and -- in spite of gas prices -- more Americans than ever are planning to getaway by car. ^(1) But that doesn't have to cost as much as you think. There are lots of ways to save gas (checked your tires lately?) but the *easiest and most effective way is to slow down* (just a little bit). When you add up the savings, *it's like getting paid to relax*. So before you get behind the wheel for the upcoming holiday, show us what you're made of. Pledge to Drive 55 (or whatever the speed limit is on the roads you're traveling) for Memorial Day Weekend. Poor Sammy Hagar can't do it , but we bet you can. After all, even jets are slowing down to save money! ^(2) The Union of Concerned Scientists tells us that dropping from 70 to 60 mph improves fuel efficiency by an average of 17.2 percent. *Dropping from 75 to 55 improves fuel efficiency by 30.6 percent*!^(3) Put another way, in a family sedan, every 10 mph you drive over 60 is *like paying 54 cents per gallon more for gas you bought at $3.25 a gallon*. ^(4) That extra cost is even higher for big SUVs and other less-efficient vehicles. And the time you save by going easy on the accelerator may not add up to as much as you thought. On a 300-mile trip, driving 65 instead of 70 mph would cost you only 20 minutes -- but save money and spew less carbon. *Take the Pledge *! Learn about other ways to avoid a "pain in the gas" when it comes to getting from here to there. Is driving to your destination more fuel-efficient than flying? Take our "How Green Is My Getaway" quiz . You might be surprised. Our April 29 post about driving the speed limit in our Green Life blog led many to share the wisdom of their personal road trip experiences. You can read all of them here, and share your own . Have a great Memorial Day, Greg Haegele Greg Haegele Director of Conservation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ^(1) http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-05-17-travel-aaa-forecast_N.htm ^(2) http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-05-02-slow-fuel_N.htm ^(3) http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/04/28/MN9H10BFRS.DTL ^(4) http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/104752/Slow-Down-a-Lttle-Save-a-Lot-of-Gas If you do not wish to receive future emails like this, click here to be removed from this type of email contact. Update My Profile | Manage My Email Preferences | Update My Interests Sierra Club 85 Second St. San Francisco, CA 94105 From mattr at biofuels.coop Sat May 17 08:31:48 2008 From: mattr at biofuels.coop (Matthew Rudolf) Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 08:31:48 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] new diesels Message-ID: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/automobiles/18DIESEL.html? _r=1&oref=slogin Matthew Rudolf Piedmont Biofuels www.biofuels.coop From wrenchwench at blast.com Sun May 18 22:49:44 2008 From: wrenchwench at blast.com (Rachel Burton) Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 22:49:44 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: Please post to the biofuels group: building an electric truck References: <258149.50981.qm@web63402.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <6B47CE6B-9D78-4FBC-BB0D-84E47B499A55@blast.com> Begin forwarded message: > From: andrew kubik > Date: May 18, 2008 7:49:49 PM EDT > To: biofuels_interest_group-owner at lists.emji.net > Subject: Please post to the biofuels group: building an electric truck > > I am modifying a 87 toyota truck to be powered by an electric motor > with a few batteries and a diesel generator. I'd love to hear from > anyone out there with experience what has worked in the past in > terms of motors (type/size), inverters, and controllers. I intend > to use the tranny and transfer case with out the rear drive shaft > so that it is a front wheel drive truck while in 4x4 so that the > front wheels will do most of the breaking while down shifting > (regenerative breaking). So let me know what you know to cut down > on the guess work. > > Thanks, > Andrew Kubik > From mattr at biofuels.coop Mon May 19 07:24:05 2008 From: mattr at biofuels.coop (Matthew Rudolf) Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 07:24:05 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Series of Upcoming Biodiesel Classes Message-ID: <81E6190E-E6FD-4730-B48A-611C86E44298@biofuels.coop> Piedmont Biofuels is announcing a series of upcoming biodiesel production classes. These classes will be held at Central Carolina Community College and the Piedmont Biofuels Cooperative in June and July, and all proceeds will go to fund the summer internship program at Piedmont Biofuels. If you would like to get trained up on small- scale biodiesel production, this is an opportunity to learn from the Queen of it all. girl Mark, the inventor of the Appleseed, the most widely used reactor design in the world will be leading these classes and participants will get an opportunity to see exactly how fuel is made at Piedmont Biofuels. All of these classes are two days long, and the cost is $120 per class. If you register by June 7, the last two classes are 10% off, and if register for all four, the price is only $360. To register for these classes go to: http://events.biofuels.coop/2008/05/10/class-announcement/ ----------------------------------------- The list of upcoming classes follows: June 7-8 - Biodiesel Essentials An introductory course on the basics of biodiesel production, handling and use. Participants will learn about the chemical reaction involved in biodiesel production, and how to put together a basic biodiesel plant. June 14-15 - Biodiesel Equipment Intensive An in-depth class on the parts and components of biodiesel plants, including methanol recovery equipment, methoxide mixers, modified Appleseed reactors with additional mixing assists such as venturis and static mixers, modified (welded) wash tanks, drying tanks, and Turk Burners for process heat, etc. If you wish to build any of this equipment for your own use, please contact us after registering so that we can pre-purchased the parts for you. June 28-29 - Biodiesel Production System Tricks This is a class in a ?live? homebrew system setting, in which we will make full size batches of biodiesel in an Appleseed reactor, discuss what the experienced students in the class already do and what challenges come up for us, and show different efficiency or safety ?tricks? in live action. We will discuss other homebrew alternatives to the Appleseed (Graham Laming?s Eco-System Processor, and larger processors) and illustrate several variations on the ?standard? process from the perspective of alternative equipment that may make these variations easier or to ensure higher quality biodiesel. This class also covers methanol recovery and alternatives to water-washing. This class is geared to people who already know how to make biodiesel, either in a lab-scale, or for those who already homebrew but would like to compare notes with me on how I manage my system. You may take this class after attending a regular homebrewing class taught by someone else as well as if you have learned how to make biodiesel on your own. We don?t go into a lot of detail on titration and chemistry here so that?s the info you should have ?down? already on your own prior to taking this ?system tricks? class. July 26-27 - Advanced Topics Class The advanced class is designed for those who already make biodiesel (full-scale or test batches) or have attended hands-on workshops by teachers such as Jennifer Radtke, John Bush, Steve Fugate, BioLyle Rudensey, Piedmont Biofuels, Matt Steiman, Frankie Lind, Kalib Kersch, or others who teach from the http://biodieselcommunity.org techniques (check with me if a class is your only hands-on experience). Some of the topics covered in the advanced class include: Quality control in great detail, analysis of real-world problems with offspec biodiesel, acid-base biodiesel process, advanced topics in dewatering, testing for soap,methanol recovery and equipment design, testing recovered methanol for purity, waterless washing with Amberlite and Magnesol, larger-scale equipment design (for co-ops or small farms), treating wash water and glycerine for disposal, testing wash water and glycerine, real-world test results related to biodegradability, in-depth disposal/sidestreams discussion, burning glycerine safely for energy, hydronic applications for biodiesel and wash water heating, more advanced discussion of safety and disaster prevention scenarios for larger-scale processor systems, discussion of regulatory topics for non-commercial producers larger than homebrew, solar heating options, very through discussion/ demonstration of several different options in washing, including drawbacks and advantages, greywater systems for wash water recycling. Matthew Rudolf Piedmont Biofuels www.biofuels.coop From rudolfdiesel at netzero.net Mon May 19 13:01:58 2008 From: rudolfdiesel at netzero.net (rudolfdiesel at netzero.net) Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 17:01:58 GMT Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Coming in June: Green Transportation Classes at Wake Tech Message-ID: <20080519.130158.2610.0@webmail20.dca.untd.com> Please spread the word and consider attending one or both of our next two Green Transportation Continuing Education Events, a Hybrid/PHEV/EV class on June 17-18 and our "becoming famous" Biodiesel Production/Clean Diesel Technology Class 1 week later, June 24-25. Classes will run each day from 8:30-4:30. Cost is nominal, approx. $60.00. Contact Mr. Duncan Shaw, 866-5820 to register. This Spring's Hybrid class will feature hands on access to a Prius PHEV and a three-phase induction drive EV, as well as several conventional hybrids. Participants have a rare opportunity to go beyond the standard "parking lot" presentations of both PHEV and EV technology during this class and will have the opportunity to learn more about hybrid/electric drive systems than any other class short of Manufacturer Training. Our Biodiesel class will include the transesterification of about 25 gallons of WVO into Biodiesel by the class, as well as an in-depth investigation of the fuel and the technology of today's clean Diesel engine and how the fuel and the engine interact. Anyone with questions should feel free to contact me at 866-5253 or recregar at waketech.edu. Some very interesting people are already signed up for this class. I expect it to be an unusually productive two days. Thanks! Rich Cregar, Instructor Green Transportation Technologies Wake Technical College Raleigh, N.C. recregar at waketech.edu 919-866-5253 Raleigh, N.C. _____________________________________________________________ Click here for great computer networking solutions! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4vC4glt1J55NjdeXjUOJPvuET8lhMmvAkH2SK29DnDY0lgsy/?count=1234567890 From john.bonitz at gmail.com Mon May 19 15:37:25 2008 From: john.bonitz at gmail.com (John Bonitz) Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 15:37:25 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: building an electric truck Message-ID: <84a57a420805191237x54d5500ej9bfc763efea7d166@mail.gmail.com> Please respond to Mr Kubik directly. thanks, -- John Bonitz Silk Hope, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: andrew kubik Date: Sun, May 18, 2008 at 7:49 PM Subject: Please post to the biofuels group: building an electric truck To: biofuels_interest_group-owner at lists.emji.net I am modifying a 87 toyota truck to be powered by an electric motor with a few batteries and a diesel generator. I'd love to hear from anyone out there with experience what has worked in the past in terms of motors (type/size), inverters, and controllers. I intend to use the tranny and transfer case with out the rear drive shaft so that it is a front wheel drive truck while in 4x4 so that the front wheels will do most of the breaking while down shifting (regenerative breaking). So let me know what you know to cut down on the guess work. Thanks, Andrew Kubik From wrightmw at wfu.edu Mon May 19 16:01:30 2008 From: wrightmw at wfu.edu (wrightmw at wfu.edu) Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 16:01:30 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: building an electric truck In-Reply-To: <84a57a420805191237x54d5500ej9bfc763efea7d166@mail.gmail.com> References: <84a57a420805191237x54d5500ej9bfc763efea7d166@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <005f01c8b9eb$21702570$de00790a@deacnet.wfu.edu> I looked into this recently because it seemed a lot easier than making fuel. Just build it, plug it in at night and drive in the morning. You can get 30-50 miles on a charge. Just need to have the up front money and time to tinker. Not sure about environmental impact of these. I am sure there are pros and cons. These guys seem to have a lot of information on DC setups and prices. http://www.ev-america.com/ They will email you a lot of info if you ask. This can definitely be done DC for about $6-8K and cheaper if you can find motors, controls, flooded lead acid batteries, etc. If you really want regenerative breaking you will have to go AC but it's significantly more expensive than DC setups. mww -----Original Message----- From: biofuels_interest_group-bounces at lists.emji.net [mailto:biofuels_interest_group-bounces at lists.emji.net] On Behalf Of John Bonitz Sent: Monday, May 19, 2008 3:37 PM To: BIG Cc: andrew kubik Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: building an electric truck Please respond to Mr Kubik directly. thanks, -- John Bonitz Silk Hope, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: andrew kubik Date: Sun, May 18, 2008 at 7:49 PM Subject: Please post to the biofuels group: building an electric truck To: biofuels_interest_group-owner at lists.emji.net I am modifying a 87 toyota truck to be powered by an electric motor with a few batteries and a diesel generator. I'd love to hear from anyone out there with experience what has worked in the past in terms of motors (type/size), inverters, and controllers. I intend to use the tranny and transfer case with out the rear drive shaft so that it is a front wheel drive truck while in 4x4 so that the front wheels will do most of the breaking while down shifting (regenerative breaking). So let me know what you know to cut down on the guess work. Thanks, Andrew Kubik _______________________________________________ Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group From rudolfdiesel at netzero.net Mon May 19 22:39:51 2008 From: rudolfdiesel at netzero.net (rudolfdiesel at netzero.net) Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 02:39:51 GMT Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Fwd: Please post to the biofuels group: building an electric truck Message-ID: <20080519.223951.14948.0@webmail18.dca.untd.com> Hi I am a technical consultant to an EV manufacturer (after school) and am currently writing the service manual and diagnostic procedures for their latest NEV, which features a 3/phase induction motor/generator, digital controller & AGM lead acid batteries on a 72V platform. This system has full regen capability, good torque output and a wide range of programming options easily accessed through the controller. If you are near the Clayton area I invite you to stop by, check this system out and visit awhile. I also have some experience with Diesels, and would enjoy discussing your APU choices too! Good luck! Rich Cregar, Instructor Green Transportation Technologies Wake Technical College Raleigh, N.C. 27603 recregar at waketech.edu rudolfdiesel at netzero.net 919-866-5253 _____________________________________________________________ Get Visual Basic Software and Training. Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4s6GmVGywnABR7edkjvkXY6P7Z0ZcJYOKlzhCbkG1GZ6QbqB/?count=1234567890 From swholsapple909 at yahoo.com Tue May 20 14:21:16 2008 From: swholsapple909 at yahoo.com (Sarah Holsapple) Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 11:21:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 1981 Diesel Rabbit Message-ID: <361628.99153.qm@web30902.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Just wanted to let you all know that I am selling my 1981 Diesel Rabbit. http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/688243754.html Thanks, Sarah _____________________________________________________________________________ From Susan.Bridgers at linkconnector.com Tue May 20 14:36:41 2008 From: Susan.Bridgers at linkconnector.com (Susan Bridgers) Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 14:36:41 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] 1991 300D Turbo 2.5 for Sale Message-ID: $4400/obo VIN:WDBEB28D2MB447568 1991 300D Turbo 2.5 White body/Grey Interior Daughter leaving for school overseas and no longer needs it. Great daily driving car. Also could take biodiesel. Mileage: 237,000 Engine: 5 Cyl. Turbo Diesel Transmission: Automatic Drivetrain: RWD 30-35MPG great car for BIO Diesel Fully serviced. Inspection runs out April 2009! Good condition. Full pwr, am/fm, multi-CD in trunk, fully loaded, sunroof, Clean title history. The paint, body, and interior have only minor blemishes Little or no rust on this vehicle. Tires new in 2007 and have substantial tread wear left. Standard Air Conditioning Cruise Control Dual Power Seats Power Steering AM/FM Stereo Sun Roof Power Windows Cassette Power Door Locks ABS (4-Wheel) After Market Multi Compact Disc Call me at 919-614-2186 for a test drive in downtown Pittsboro! From timvictor at gmail.com Wed May 21 12:01:43 2008 From: timvictor at gmail.com (Tim Victor) Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 12:01:43 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] AP story on waste cooking oil wars Message-ID: Out on the wire today... "Thieves swipe used cooking oil to brew biodiesel," By GARANCE BURKE http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKuuSmF1ii6m7-b3cW0u5Zr3sZYQD90PGTQ00 Interesting to me is the loaded language appearing all through it: "Thieves," "stealing," "pilfering," "plunder." Funny that maybe a year or two ago this was all looked on as maybe slightly shady dumpster diving, if not actually doing restaurants a favor. I've become more aware over the years of how news stories get written because someone has an interest in them being written, much more often than a wiley news hound with a keen nose for a story sniffs it out on his or her own. I wonder how this one came to be. Peace, Tim Victor From sjhr2000 at mailcan.com Thu May 22 11:14:21 2008 From: sjhr2000 at mailcan.com (Steve Rankin) Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 11:14:21 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] "avoiding policies too favorable to clean energy" Message-ID: <1211469261.10953.1254566147@webmail.messagingengine.com> yikes! funny in a sad way... http://grist.org/news/2008/05/21/Big_Oil -- Steve J. Rankin sjhr2000 at mailcan.com From ncminuteman at gmail.com Thu May 22 19:48:47 2008 From: ncminuteman at gmail.com (Denton) Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 19:48:47 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Rules and Regulations for NC home made ethanol? Message-ID: <4836065F.9010101@gmail.com> I heard some guy on the radio yesterday mention that NC regs allow something like 166 gals of ethanol can be produced by individuals for personal use as fuel without paying any taxes. Is this accurate? Denton From john.bonitz at gmail.com Thu May 22 20:06:28 2008 From: john.bonitz at gmail.com (John Bonitz) Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 20:06:28 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] OFF-TOPIC: Fwd: 2008 Farm Bill is Now Law Message-ID: <84a57a420805221706i68632657r1c457df8cece010@mail.gmail.com> Friends, Here's good news from ELPC. I'll have more detailed summaries next week, with specific info about what this means for the Southeast and sustainable biofuels. cheers! JB ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Andy Olsen Date: Thu, May 22, 2008 at 7:49 PM Subject: 2008 Farm Bill is Now Law To: John Bonitz 2008 Farm Bill Is Now Law Congratulations! Your efforts to support clean energy have been instrumental in passing a stronger Energy Title in the 2008 Farm Bill. With your help, the country has new programs to support clean, renewable energy -- and help farm families. With today's Senate veto override of the "Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008," the new Farm Bill is now law. This Farm Bill builds upon the first-ever Energy Title of the 2002 Farm Bill, providing new and improved programs and a stronger federal commitment to farm-based energy of all types. We've provided a thorough review of the 2008 Farm Bill Energy Title which you can find here. Among the highlights are several programs that ELPC strongly supported, including: (1) improvements and better funding for REAP; (2) new funding for energy audits on farms; (3) new cellulosic ethanol biorefinery financing; (4) energy crop incentives for growers; and (5) new funding for converting fossil fuel power to biomass. The legislation also includes a new tax credit for cellulosic ethanol production, and other renewable energy/energy efficiency incentives. You can find more on these new programs at http://www.FarmEnergy.org . Now that a new Farm Bill is in place, there remains much work to do to craft effective rules and help people use these programs effectively. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please consider making a donation today! Please consider making a donation to support our efforts to continue to work for a stronger, more robust Farm Bill Energy Title. We have all worked together to make a successful 2008 Farm Bill. With your donation, we can keep the pressure on and make an even bigger impact. Please consider making a donation today! https://elpc1.securesites.net/support/donate.php For additional information on the Farm Bill's Energy Title programs, go to www.farmenergy.org -------------------------------------------------- Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this. http://actionnetwork.org/join-forward.html?domain=elpc&r=LdNDqOSqcAs2 If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for Environmental Law and Policy Center at: http://actionnetwork.org/elpc/join.html?r=LdNDqOSqcAs2E -------------------------------------------------- This message was sent to john.bonitz at gmail.com. To modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile, visit your subscription management page at: http://actionnetwork.org/elpc/smp.tcl?nkey=in3gs7w227w5ttne& To stop ALL email from Environmental Law and Policy Center, reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line, or use the following link: http://actionnetwork.org/elpc/remove-domain-direct.tcl?ctx=center&nkey=in3gs7w227w5ttne& ****************************** This email is Powered by Convio, Inc. http://www.convio.com ****************************** -- John Bonitz Silk Hope, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From skepticbill at mac.com Wed May 28 16:50:43 2008 From: skepticbill at mac.com (Bill O'Luanaigh) Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 16:50:43 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Hybrids vs. diesel? Message-ID: So I now own a Prius and a biodiesel car and am convinced that each has it's place as we try to wean ourselves from fossil fuels and work to reduce our carbon footprint. Eventually I will turn the Prius into a plug-in hybrid but I'm waiting for that technology to go through some refining. However, the article in Grist (below) paints a picture of diesels as bad and I'd love to hear from the collective wisdom of BIG about this. http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/5/19/105532/943 Thanks in advance! -Bill- From kevingregg at comcast.net Wed May 28 17:16:38 2008 From: kevingregg at comcast.net (Kevin Gregg) Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:16:38 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Hybrids vs. diesel? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <21e6060a0805281416h67b40f9ap8d5a05e8c2b7b830@mail.gmail.com> Bill- Since last Dec, I sold both of my gas vehicles. I've since replaced them with two diesel vehicles (a car and a truck). I installed a WVO system in the car and now drive over 90% of the time in that vehicle on WVO. As for the truck, I blend diesel with WVO in a 50:50 ratio and use that in factory fuel tank without any mods to truck. My point is that harmful emissions in both of my diesel vehicles are greatly reduced. One of the many great features of diesel vehicles is that they run on fuels other than diesel. (I'm certain that most of us on mailing this list know this already.) Kevin On Wed, May 28, 2008 at 4:50 PM, Bill O'Luanaigh wrote: > So I now own a Prius and a biodiesel car and am convinced that each has it's > place as we try to wean ourselves from fossil fuels and work to reduce our > carbon footprint. Eventually I will turn the Prius into a plug-in hybrid but > I'm waiting for that technology to go through some refining. However, the > article in Grist (below) paints a picture of diesels as bad and I'd love to > hear from the collective wisdom of BIG about this. > > http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/5/19/105532/943 > > Thanks in advance! > > -Bill- > > > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > -- Kevin kevingregg at comcast.net http://home.comcast.net/~kevingregg/kev.htm From richmason at mindspring.com Wed May 28 16:28:58 2008 From: richmason at mindspring.com (Rich Mason) Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 00:28:58 +0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Hybrids vs. diesel? In-Reply-To: <21e6060a0805281416h67b40f9ap8d5a05e8c2b7b830@mail.gmail.com> References: <21e6060a0805281416h67b40f9ap8d5a05e8c2b7b830@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <6FC2BDED-5A64-4DB9-ABD4-4FDE966F23B7@mindspring.com> I just had the engines replaced in my VWs instead of buying new cars. I too would like to see someone address the latest scientific consensus on diesel and biodiesel emissions. I used older 1.6 l turbo diesels in my 93 Cabriolet and 85 VW Westfalia and use B100 or B20 when I am home in the US. Would the planet had been better off had I left the gas engines in place, especially the 93 fuel injected engine with a catalytic converter? I am strongly considering buying a brand- new green machine when I return to the US full-time. Should it be a blu-tech (sp?) Mercedes? Plug-in Prius running E85? Latest TDI VW product or should I continue to drive my old diesels (90 MB 30d in the mix as well) as are we better off without the concomitant environmental impacts of new car production (more plastic, paint, and overall consumption of scarce resources)? Best, Rich Mason 3 months in Baghdad and counting! On May 29, 2008, at 1:16 AM, Kevin Gregg wrote: > Bill- > > Since last Dec, I sold both of my gas vehicles. I've since replaced > them with two diesel vehicles (a car and a truck). I installed a WVO > system in the car and now drive over 90% of the time in that vehicle > on WVO. As for the truck, I blend diesel with WVO in a 50:50 ratio > and use that in factory fuel tank without any mods to truck. My point > is that harmful emissions in both of my diesel vehicles are greatly > reduced. One of the many great features of diesel vehicles is that > they run on fuels other than diesel. (I'm certain that most of us on > mailing this list know this already.) > > Kevin > > On Wed, May 28, 2008 at 4:50 PM, Bill O'Luanaigh > wrote: >> So I now own a Prius and a biodiesel car and am convinced that each >> has it's >> place as we try to wean ourselves from fossil fuels and work to >> reduce our >> carbon footprint. Eventually I will turn the Prius into a plug-in >> hybrid but >> I'm waiting for that technology to go through some refining. >> However, the >> article in Grist (below) paints a picture of diesels as bad and I'd >> love to >> hear from the collective wisdom of BIG about this. >> >> http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/5/19/105532/943 >> >> Thanks in advance! >> >> -Bill- >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list >> Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net >> http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group >> > > > > -- > Kevin > kevingregg at comcast.net > http://home.comcast.net/~kevingregg/kev.htm > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group From kalib at energyevolutions.ws Wed May 28 17:31:53 2008 From: kalib at energyevolutions.ws (kalib at energyevolutions.ws) Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 21:31:53 +0000 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Hybrids vs. diesel? In-Reply-To: <21e6060a0805281416h67b40f9ap8d5a05e8c2b7b830@mail.gmail.com> References: <21e6060a0805281416h67b40f9ap8d5a05e8c2b7b830@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <304971584-1212010405-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-1574055549-@bxe147.bisx.prod.on.blackberry> It would be helpful, I think, for us to email the Grist article author and insist that biodiesel be taken into account, in the future. Kalib Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile -----Original Message----- From: "Kevin Gregg" Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:16:38 To:Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net Subject: Re: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Hybrids vs. diesel? Bill- Since last Dec, I sold both of my gas vehicles. I've since replaced them with two diesel vehicles (a car and a truck). I installed a WVO system in the car and now drive over 90% of the time in that vehicle on WVO. As for the truck, I blend diesel with WVO in a 50:50 ratio and use that in factory fuel tank without any mods to truck. My point is that harmful emissions in both of my diesel vehicles are greatly reduced. One of the many great features of diesel vehicles is that they run on fuels other than diesel. (I'm certain that most of us on mailing this list know this already.) Kevin On Wed, May 28, 2008 at 4:50 PM, Bill O'Luanaigh wrote: > So I now own a Prius and a biodiesel car and am convinced that each has it's > place as we try to wean ourselves from fossil fuels and work to reduce our > carbon footprint. Eventually I will turn the Prius into a plug-in hybrid but > I'm waiting for that technology to go through some refining. However, the > article in Grist (below) paints a picture of diesels as bad and I'd love to > hear from the collective wisdom of BIG about this. > > http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/5/19/105532/943 > > Thanks in advance! > > -Bill- > > > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > -- Kevin kevingregg at comcast.net http://home.comcast.net/~kevingregg/kev.htm _______________________________________________ Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group From rudolfdiesel at netzero.net Wed May 28 20:24:42 2008 From: rudolfdiesel at netzero.net (rudolfdiesel at netzero.net) Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 00:24:42 GMT Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Hybrids vs. diesel? Message-ID: <20080528.202442.24389.0@webmail11.dca.untd.com> Jacobsen is another Toyo-centric espousing his Toyo-centric agenda. When comparing the CO2 output of a gallon of diesel to a gallon of gas he conveniently overlooks the fact that each gallon of Diesel contains about 50k more BTU's of thermal energy than gasoline which more than offsets the additional Carbon emission. This is combined with the proven fact that the higher compression ratio of the Diesel also generates a higher thermal efficiency from the engine than its gasoline counterpart. No serious student of internal combustion engines will question the well proven fact that the Diesel (compression ignition) engine is roughly 25% more efficient than a conventional gas motor, the same efficiency gain that is developed by hybrid/electric drive. What advocates of a healthy planet should be pursuing is the Diesel powered Hybrid, which will add the efficiencies of both technologies. I will happily point out to the folks at GRIST that a Prius and a TDI going down the road together are emitting nearly the same quantities of CO2 but the hybrid will be emitting Fossil derived carbon, while the TDI can be utilizing renewable carbon from bio (read atmospheric) sources. When the Diesel Hybrid will become a reality, the gasoline hybrid may become obsolete! As for the many apparent misconceptions about PM and NOx emissions, all I have time to say tonight is these people need to come to Wake Tech in a month and take my course so I can straighten their heads out and set them onto the fact filled path, not the one strewn with rumor!! I enjoyed the nonsense about making sure that the wayward Diesel owner only buys "A very good particle trap"!!! What does GRIST think the EPA and CARB are doing? Approving various grades of traps, like Sears Roebuck's GOOD, BETTER, BEST??? And the statement about Europe's massive switch to Diesels?? If anybody did their research they would realize that there was no massive switch-- Europe's 60% light duty diesel fleet evolved over the last several decades, driven by historically high taxation and fuel costs in most European Countries. Mercedes started producing a Diesel passenger car in 1936 and never stopped.VW followed suit in the 70's, as did Peugeot and others. GRIST should ask the President of Honda,Takeo Fukui, what he thinks of Diesel passenger cars. He said they are an answer to reducing Carbon emissions from the transportation sector. And, true to form, Honda will be introducing a Diesel Accord next year. By the way, Honda has, as a matter of corporate policy, adopted the Kyoto Accords for the pursuit of corporate Carbon reduction. Toyota, which builds all the big V-8 Tundras they can, has not. My regards to all! Rich Cregar ____________________________________________________________ Save on Relocation Services - Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/Ioyw6i4tUOc6ELJUpDYlcJoBAWcl49red0cqKO2jDjwBKxpjAyDUps/ From skepticbill at mac.com Wed May 28 21:31:59 2008 From: skepticbill at mac.com (Bill O'Luanaigh) Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 21:31:59 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Hybrids vs. diesel? In-Reply-To: <20080528.202442.24389.0@webmail11.dca.untd.com> Message-ID: Hey Rich and everyone, Thanks so much for all of the info, I felt that the Grist article completely missed the bio angle and unfairly painted diesels as 'dirty' compared to hybrids. I knew y'all would have the data to back that up. I saw a recent video on Popular Mechanics about the new Jettas and how clean they are, when (if?) my E300 bites the dirt I'll be looking hard at VW's latest. -Bill- PS - I was NOT aware that Toyota had not signed on to Kyoto. Ouch... On 5/28/08 8:24 PM, "rudolfdiesel at netzero.net" wrote: > Jacobsen is another Toyo-centric espousing his Toyo-centric agenda. When > comparing the CO2 output of a gallon of diesel to a gallon of gas he > conveniently overlooks the fact that each gallon of Diesel contains about 50k > more BTU's of thermal energy than gasoline which more than offsets the > additional Carbon emission. This is combined with the proven fact that the > higher compression ratio of the Diesel also generates a higher thermal > efficiency from the engine than its gasoline counterpart. No serious student > of internal combustion engines will question the well proven fact that the > Diesel (compression ignition) engine is roughly 25% more efficient than a > conventional gas motor, the same efficiency gain that is developed by > hybrid/electric drive. What advocates of a healthy planet should be pursuing > is the Diesel powered Hybrid, which will add the efficiencies of both > technologies. I will happily point out to the folks at GRIST that a Prius and > a TDI going down the road together are emitting nearly the same quantities of > CO2 but the hybrid will be emitting Fossil derived carbon, while the TDI can > be utilizing renewable carbon from bio (read atmospheric) sources. When the > Diesel Hybrid will become a reality, the gasoline hybrid may become obsolete! > As for the many apparent misconceptions about PM and NOx emissions, all I have > time to say tonight is these people need to come to Wake Tech in a month and > take my course so I can straighten their heads out and set them onto the fact > filled path, not the one strewn with rumor!! > I enjoyed the nonsense about making sure that the wayward Diesel owner only > buys "A very good particle trap"!!! What does GRIST think the EPA and CARB are > doing? Approving various grades of traps, like Sears Roebuck's GOOD, BETTER, > BEST??? And the statement about Europe's massive switch to Diesels?? If > anybody did their research they would realize that there was no massive > switch-- Europe's 60% light duty diesel fleet evolved over the last several > decades, driven by historically high taxation and fuel costs in most European > Countries. Mercedes started producing a Diesel passenger car in 1936 and never > stopped.VW followed suit in the 70's, as did Peugeot and others. GRIST should > ask the President of Honda,Takeo Fukui, what he thinks of Diesel passenger > cars. He said they are an answer to reducing Carbon emissions from the > transportation sector. And, true to form, Honda will be introducing a Diesel > Accord next year. > By the way, Honda has, as a matter of corporate policy, adopted the Kyoto > Accords for the pursuit of corporate Carbon reduction. Toyota, which builds > all the big V-8 Tundras they can, has not. > > My regards to all! > > Rich Cregar > > ____________________________________________________________ > Keep your hair. Click for permanent solution to hair restoration > http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/Ioyw6i4uQUmJTHZIIol0IgZVwYrtQGw > y0dxpNNhU9eoE4qNeX1yHbq/ From jmoe at duke.edu Thu May 29 10:04:05 2008 From: jmoe at duke.edu (Jeff Moe) Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 10:04:05 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Hybrids vs. diesel? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <483EB7D5.9080100@duke.edu> I too have Escape Hybrid and E300 MB. Escape bought new and has 40,000 miles: costs less than $100/year for all service: oil, tires, etc. By contrast my 188,000 mile '98 MB is costing $1500/year in repairs. MB's are not manufactured to old standards (this is not just blind nostalgia for the past - I have owned earlier models that were much more reliable and less costly), parts and service are excessively high and the exchange rate of the $ is contributing to these problems. It is regrettable that VW is currently out of the diesel market and Honda won't offer until '09 when VW also reenters. Other big diesel Euro manf (e.g. Peugeot, Renault) have no real presence in US market. If diesel is going to be a meaningful alternative we need cars that have lower acquisition cost, better service reliability and lower upkeep costs than MB. Bill O'Luanaigh wrote: > So I now own a Prius and a biodiesel car and am convinced that each has it's > place as we try to wean ourselves from fossil fuels and work to reduce our > carbon footprint. Eventually I will turn the Prius into a plug-in hybrid but > I'm waiting for that technology to go through some refining. However, the > article in Grist (below) paints a picture of diesels as bad and I'd love to > hear from the collective wisdom of BIG about this. > > http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/5/19/105532/943 > > Thanks in advance! > > -Bill- > > > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > From rudolfdiesel at netzero.net Thu May 29 12:39:28 2008 From: rudolfdiesel at netzero.net (rudolfdiesel at netzero.net) Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 16:39:28 GMT Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] New EPA Report on Environment Message-ID: <20080529.123928.21717.0@webmail10.dca.untd.com> http://www.epa.gov/roe/ Highly recommended reading, especially Region 4 (SE US) data which is downloadable as a PDF Rich Cregar ____________________________________________________________ Scan, remove and block Spyware. Click now! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/Ioyw6i4tANUQRAPn9oZ9uaw3JYXZlhYyftFq00bggl8HJBOQshLoHo/ From john.bonitz at gmail.com Fri May 30 18:28:16 2008 From: john.bonitz at gmail.com (John Bonitz) Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 18:28:16 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Nat'l Environmental Biofuels Conf, June 16-18, 2008 - Kansas City, Missouri Message-ID: <84a57a420805301528j7727cef7g5ec73ac14c518a6e@mail.gmail.com> I just learned of this event. -- John Bonitz Silk Hope, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The National Environmental Biofuels Conference will be held June 16-18, 2008, at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The Conference will explore the complex issues of the new American biofuels revolution. The three-day conference will focus on these questions: Why make biofuels? Food or fuel? How much fuel can we grow? How much land will it take? What are transportation and equipment facts using alternative fuels? What are the environmental impacts to our air and water resources to manufacture alternative fuels? What does research say about biofuels? Join us as we explore these and other biofuels issues with environmental regulators, researchers, farmers, biofuels production plants and consumers. Please go to http://www.censarabiofuels.org/index.html for more info about the conference and for registration and agenda details. Contact info: Annette Sharp, Executive Director, CenSARA; asharp at censara.org; 405-378-7377