From bonitz at cleanenergy.org Mon Apr 6 12:20:25 2009 From: bonitz at cleanenergy.org (John Bonitz) Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:20:25 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Sierra & Worldwatch join to promote advanced biofuels In-Reply-To: Message-ID: http://www.worldwatch.org/smartchoicesforbiofuels Time to Get ?Smart? on Biofuels Sierra Club, Worldwatch Institute Outline "Smart Choices for Biofuels" in New Report Washington, D.C.-The Sierra Club and Worldwatch Institute released a report, Smart Choices for Biofuels, highlighting the need for important policy reforms at this critical juncture in America's effort to increase the use of biofuels. Download report here: http://www.worldwatch.org/files/pdf/biofuels.pdf The report outlines the economic and environmental impacts of first-generation biofuels such as corn ethanol, proposes strategies to make the biofuels industry more sustainable, and offers specific policy recommendations in four broad categories: * Developing sustainability standards * Advancing biofuels production and new technologies * Creating green jobs through biofuels * Promoting policy coherence across energy sectors "At a time of volatile gas prices and rising concern about global warming, it has become clear that biofuels can play a role in reducing dependence on oil and curbing climate change," said Christopher Flavin, President of Worldwatch Institute. "However, the large and growing scale of the industry make it critical that Congress now make smart choices that promote sustainable biofuels-rather than just more biofuels-as part of a clean energy economy." U.S. biofuels production in 2008 topped 9 billion gallons-the vast majority of which was corn ethanol-and successive Congressional mandates call for the use of 36 billion gallons of biofuels by the year 2022. Domestic biofuels output has more than doubled since 2005, and the report explores the many issues associated with this dramatic increase in the production of renewable fuels, including: the global warming emissions profile of corn ethanol; the effect on the Conservation Reserve Program; other effects on the nation's air, water, and land; and the lower-than-expected economic benefits for rural communities. "The headlong rush toward biofuels-corn ethanol in particular-has had many consequences, some foreseen and others not," said Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director. "The downside risks to our land, air, water, and economy have become readily apparent, but the good news is that with smart choices we can make biofuels work for the environment, economy, and climate, while enhancing our energy security." Smart Choices for Biofuels maps a future path for biofuels to ensure that they are more environmentally and socially sustainable and that the use of renewable fuels for transportation contributes to the global effort to reduce global warming pollution. The steps proposed in the report include an accelerated transition to cellulosic feedstocks such as switchgrass and the use of more effective agricultural practices to decrease erosion and soil nutrient depletion. The report also recommends complementary steps beyond improvements in biofuels production, such as the promotion of plug-in hybrid vehicles and increased investments in public transportation, which could also help achieve crucial energy and climate goals. Finally, the report concludes that if a renewable fuels mandate is to contribute effectively to reducing foreign oil dependence and curbing global warming, it must be reevaluated in light of changing circumstances. Changes in four broad policy categories-sustainability standards, advancing biofuels production and new technologies, creating green jobs, and promoting policy coherence across energy sectors-are detailed in the report. Sierra Club and Worldwatch Institute previously collaborated on biofuels and sustainability when they released a report in October 2007 focused solely on Iowa, titled Destination Iowa: Getting to a Sustainable Biofuels Future. A longer Worldwatch report entitled, Red, White, and Green: A New Approach to U.S. Biofuels will be released in early April. Please sign up for our enewsletters to receive updates about our latest publication releases. # # # -- John Bonitz Farm Outreach & Policy Advocate Southern Alliance for Clean Energy P.O. Box 1833, Pittsboro, NC 27312 Phone: 919.360.2492 bonitz at cleanenergy.org http://www.cleanenergy.org From clare at baumdiamonds.com Tue Apr 7 12:31:41 2009 From: clare at baumdiamonds.com (Clare Baum) Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2009 12:31:41 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] (no subject) Message-ID: <20743.208.6.46.65.1239121901.squirrel@isp.chathamwireless.net> Please delete my name from your list for now. Thank you. Clare Baum From tavanas at gmail.com Tue Apr 7 20:05:13 2009 From: tavanas at gmail.com (t avanas) Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2009 20:05:13 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] need bulk b100 Message-ID: <3EFA7386-97CB-4F59-AFA6-2764AFC883C7@gmail.com> looking for bulk b100 for farm use in the triangle area. thanks, tavanas at gmail.com From bonitz at cleanenergy.org Wed Apr 8 08:39:48 2009 From: bonitz at cleanenergy.org (John Bonitz) Date: Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:39:48 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] FW: Biomass Crop Assistance Program Manager Position vacancy announcement In-Reply-To: Message-ID: FYI ------ Forwarded Message From: "McGinnis, Karen - Kansas City, MO" Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 04:18:14 -0500 Subject: Biomass Crop Assistance Program You are receiving this e-mail message because you are on the Biomass Crop Assistance Program "BCAP" contact List maintained by USDA/FSA. If you would like to be removed from the list, please respond to karen.mcginnis at kcc.usda.gov The Biomass Crop Assistance Program was authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill to support the establishment and production of crops for conversion to bio-energy in project areas and to assist with collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of eligible material for use in a biomass conversion facility. The link listed below is to the USAJOBS vacancy announcement for the BCAP Program Manager, GS-1101-14. The vacancy announcement closes April 20. Any interested party may apply, including individuals who are not Federal Employees. This position is located in Washington DC and relocation expenses are included. For more information regarding this position, contact PRISCILLA BROWN Phone: (202)401-0438 TDD: 202-205-9057 Email: Priscilla.Brown at wdc.usda.gov http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=80054148&AVSDM=2009%2D03%2 D23+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&q=BCAP+Program+Manager&FedEmp=N&sort=rv&vw=d&brd =3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&SUBMIT1.x=126&SUBMIT1.y=16 ------ End of Forwarded Message ~ ~ ~ John Bonitz, Farm Outreach & Policy Advocate Southern Alliance for Clean Energy PO Box 1833, Pittsboro, NC 27312 Phone: 919-360-2492 Email: bonitz at cleanenergy.org Web: http://www.cleanenergy.org From moldylocks at nc.rr.com Fri Apr 17 06:46:36 2009 From: moldylocks at nc.rr.com (Wayne Edmonds) Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:46:36 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] local mechanics? Message-ID: Hello all!? I have found myself in need of a mechanic. ?I usually perform my own maintenance and repairs, but my latest issue has me in need of more expert help. ?I am looking for a mechanic/shop in the west Raleigh area (I live near the fairgrounds) to resuscitate my 2000 Jetta TDI. ?It stopped running on the way home the other day, and I cannot figure out what is wrong. ?I have gotten to the point that if I did figure out what it is, I would need guidance as well as more tools. ?If anyone has any recommendations of an honest, reliable, and not too expensive (I am currently out of work) mechanic, I would appreciate it. Thanks, Wayne moldylocks at nc.rr.com From leif at biofuels.coop Sun Apr 19 14:33:00 2009 From: leif at biofuels.coop (Leif Forer) Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:33:00 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Sat 4/25, 7 PM: biodiesel author reading @ Internationalist References: <20090414171845.os28o4x6sk0kggkw@internationalistbooks.org> Message-ID: <4CC08537-3661-4DE3-B1DE-3CBF885CCB97@biofuels.coop> Join us on Saturday, April 25th at 7 PM at Internationalist Books (405 W. Franklin St, Chapel Hill) as Asheville-based author Forest Gregg discusses his latest book "SVO: Powering Your Vehicle With Straight Vegetable Oil." The benefits of straight vegetable oil (SVO) as an alternate fuel for diesel engines are many. SVO is cheap, carbon-neutral, uses a waste product, and does not depend upon centralized corporate infrastructure. Gregg and his co-author Christopher Goodwin are the designer and founder, respectively, of Frybrid, the most respected vegetable oil conversion company in the United States. They have many combined years of expertise in the use of straight vegetable oil as a fuel and have sifted through the masses of contradictory, erroneous, and confusing information on the subject, extracting the very best information available. Chapters include: * Vegetable oil sources, extraction, and refining * Viscosity * Chemical degradation * Fuel properties * Contaminants * System design * Engine modifications SVO is the only book available that explains exactly what is necessary to convert a diesel vehicle and how to do it properly. It gives readers the tools to sort through the different companies and online plans to find something that works well. While technical in nature, this fully illustrated book is very accessible. Each concept is introduced and described in great detail. Designed to educate new consumers, it is also a resource for current conversion owners. For more information, please visit http://www.newsociety.com/bookid/ 4000 or contact Nick at the Internationalist (nick at internationalistbooks.org ). Nick Shepard Internationalist Books and Community Center 405 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill, NC 27516 919.942.1740 www.internationalistbooks.org From rudolfdiesel at netzero.net Sun Apr 19 18:06:30 2009 From: rudolfdiesel at netzero.net (rudolfdiesel at netzero.net) Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:06:30 GMT Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] SVO Message-ID: <20090419.180630.2991.1@webmail05.dca.untd.com> Hello all I began working with SVO as a fuel for Diesels in 1974. In the 90's I was involved in some additional work that demonstrated the deleterious effects of this oil upon the engine. Before anyone considers converting your Diesel powered vehicle to SVO, I ask that you consider a few things: Greatly reduced cycle life of your crankcase oil from oil dilution/sludging caused by SVO stresses the engine, adds to your expense and adds additional waste oil to the hazardous waste stream. Coking of the piston rings, injector tips and exhaust ports from incomplete combustion of SVO leads to premature engine failure preceded by a loss of engine efficiency. The added weight/complexity of these systems vis a vis the simple use of bio-Diesel. Forfeiture of Warranty on a newer vehicle. MOST IMPORTANT: There is a large and expanding body of research that points to the emissions of SVO in CI (Diesel) engines as highly carcinogenic, much more so than Bio-Diesel or even Petroleum Diesel. The heavy glycerine's in SVO often do not combust, they pyrolyze into various aldehyde and ketone compounds, many of which are known carcinogens. Please investigate this for yourself before moving forward with a SVO conversion. Rich Cregar, CMAT, L1, F1 (ASE) Department of Automotive & Heavy Duty Technologies Wake Technical Community College Graduate, SAE Diesel Technology Academy Participant, SAE 2008 Light Duty Diesel Emission Symposium GlaxoSmithKline Faculty Fellow, Institute for Emerging Issues NCSU Raleigh, NC ____________________________________________________________ Find success and happiness with drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Click now. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/BLSrjpYWej6vggMTKXh4rFDJoM4d7pZposxSYQFSN3PF2bbhrqhwsgy9m2c/ From leif at biofuels.coop Sun Apr 19 18:58:46 2009 From: leif at biofuels.coop (Leif Forer) Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:58:46 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] New diesel emission technologies must be biodiesel compatible Message-ID: <5FD7D3FC-E2C3-4687-B7AA-074943B256F0@biofuels.coop> Please take a moment to sign an online petition that will request auto makers, the EPA and CARB to ensure that new diesel emissions control technologies are compatible with biodiesel. Without it, the cars and trucks of the future may not be able to operate on biodiesel. This is an important one for biodiesel. http://www.savebiodiesel.org/ Save Biodiesel is a grassroots campaign to petition diesel vehicle manufacturers, the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board to ensure that new diesel emission technologies are compatible with biodiesel. The emissions technology currently being used in diesel vehicle models from 2007-2009 has been shown to be incompatible with biodiesel in any blend, from B5 to B100. This poses a great threat to the future of biodiesel as a viable fuel alternative. The irony is that biodiesel itself is a great emissions reducer, in addition to its other major environmental and domestic benefits. We are grateful that the EPA and CARB have required vehicle manufacturers to lower emissions-- but by not requiring that new emission technologies be compatible with biodiesel, these environmental protection agencies are shooting themselves in the foot. http://www.savebiodiesel.org/ From fgregg at googlemail.com Mon Apr 20 09:23:14 2009 From: fgregg at googlemail.com (Forest Gregg) Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:23:14 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Sat 4/25, 7 PM: biodiesel author reading @ Internationalist In-Reply-To: <4CC08537-3661-4DE3-B1DE-3CBF885CCB97@biofuels.coop> References: <20090414171845.os28o4x6sk0kggkw@internationalistbooks.org> <4CC08537-3661-4DE3-B1DE-3CBF885CCB97@biofuels.coop> Message-ID: <1dc3c92f0904200623h408b1e63hbad87405aced2b54@mail.gmail.com> Hey Leif, Thanks for forwarding this along. I hope to see some Piedmont biofuel folk there. I'm constantly inspired by the work coming out of the Triangle. -Forest On Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 2:33 PM, Leif Forer wrote: > Join us on Saturday, April 25th at 7 PM at Internationalist Books (405 > W. Franklin St, Chapel Hill) as Asheville-based author Forest Gregg > discusses his latest book "SVO: Powering Your Vehicle With Straight > Vegetable Oil." > > The benefits of straight vegetable oil (SVO) as an alternate fuel for > diesel engines are many. SVO is cheap, carbon-neutral, uses a waste > product, and does not depend upon centralized corporate infrastructure. > > Gregg and his co-author Christopher Goodwin are the designer and > founder, respectively, of Frybrid, the most respected vegetable oil > conversion company in the United States. They have many combined years > of expertise in the use of straight vegetable oil as a fuel and have > sifted through the masses of contradictory, erroneous, and confusing > information on the subject, extracting the very best information > available. Chapters include: > > * Vegetable oil sources, extraction, and refining > * Viscosity > * Chemical degradation > * Fuel properties > * Contaminants > * System design > * Engine modifications > > SVO is the only book available that explains exactly what is necessary > to convert a diesel vehicle and how to do it properly. It gives > readers the tools to sort through the different companies and online > plans to find something that works well. While technical in nature, > this fully illustrated book is very accessible. Each concept is > introduced and described in great detail. Designed to educate new > consumers, it is also a resource for current conversion owners. > > For more information, please visit http://www.newsociety.com/bookid/ > 4000 or contact Nick at the Internationalist (nick at internationalistbooks.org > ). > > Nick Shepard > Internationalist Books and Community Center > 405 W. Franklin St. > Chapel Hill, NC 27516 > 919.942.1740 > www.internationalistbooks.org > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > -- 931.210.3610 42 Forsythe St. Asheville, NC 28801 Key ID: 0x71B7982A From fgregg at googlemail.com Mon Apr 20 10:16:38 2009 From: fgregg at googlemail.com (Forest Gregg) Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:16:38 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] SVO In-Reply-To: <1dc3c92f0904200659q50211dcdybcd4d9821a2af6cf@mail.gmail.com> References: <20090419.180630.2991.1@webmail05.dca.untd.com> <1dc3c92f0904200659q50211dcdybcd4d9821a2af6cf@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <1dc3c92f0904200716m66b6df26vf040f922041fe2f4@mail.gmail.com> Hi Rich, I will concede that most of the problems you identify are very common in svo conversions, but I would argue that none of them are insurmountable. Let me respond to them: - Crankcase oil-dilution. In a healthy diesel engine, the only time that significant amounts of fuel should bypass the rings are when the engine is not at operating temperature, and the rings have not yet sealed. This leads to a relatively simple way to avoid significant contamination of crankase oil by svo: Don't use svo when the engine is not at operating temperature. I grant that vegetable oil is less oxidatively stable than petrodiesel and this does make oil dilution more harmful when it occurs, but this is because of the unsaturation of the long chains, and so is a problem that is shared with biodiesel. The only really good solution are anti-oxidant packages, which unfortunately are still not yet in the market, last time I checked. In the meantime, I would recommend, as I'm sure you would as well, that if you are running high concentrations of biofuels you check and change your oil more frequently. - Coking and emissions These have the same cause: incomplete combustion. As I'm sure you know, combustion in a diesel engine is a fairly complicated process, but it is not an awful simplification to identify the high viscosity of vegetable oil as the major root cause of these problems. A higher viscosity fuel produces larger fuel droplets, which means smaller effective surface area of fuel facing air, which slows down the rate of combustion, and because there is only a small window when temperatures will support combustion, the slow rate of combustion leads to incomplete combustion. Some of the partially combustion particles end up depositing in the combustion chamber and then being cooked to a coke, others exit in the exhaust as menagerie of intermediaries, many of which are very bad for people and other living things. This has relatively little to do with chemical structure, except as how it effects viscosity and bulk-modulus on a a macro-scale. So, in order to burn vegetable oil well in a conventional diesel engine, we have to reduce the viscosity. This is the main purpose of biodiesel, and we know that works pretty well. Another way to reduce viscosity is to heat the oil. I more than agree that the vast majority of svo conversions fail to heat the oil adequately, but my research suggests that this approach is successful. Unfortunately, there is a lack of high-quality, long-term ?destructive testing with svo. - Warranty and added weight/complexity These are issues that are shared by the homebrew biodiesel community. I agree that most people are better off buying their fuel from somebody else. I hope that you can make it to the reading Saturday, I'm sure you'll make it interesting -Forest On Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 6:06 PM, rudolfdiesel at netzero.net wrote: > Hello all > > I began working with SVO as a fuel for Diesels in 1974. In the 90's I was involved in some additional work that demonstrated the deleterious effects of this oil upon the engine. > ? ?Before anyone considers converting your Diesel powered vehicle to SVO, I ask that you consider a few things: > ? Greatly reduced cycle life of your crankcase oil from oil dilution/sludging caused by SVO stresses the engine, adds to your expense and adds additional waste oil to the hazardous waste stream. > ? Coking of the piston rings, injector tips and exhaust ports from incomplete combustion of SVO leads to premature engine failure preceded by a loss of engine efficiency. > ? The added weight/complexity of these systems vis a vis the simple use of bio-Diesel. > ? Forfeiture of Warranty on a newer vehicle. > ? MOST IMPORTANT: There is a large and expanding body of research that points to the emissions of SVO in CI (Diesel) engines as highly carcinogenic, much more so than Bio-Diesel or even Petroleum Diesel. The heavy glycerine's in SVO often do not combust, they pyrolyze into various aldehyde and ketone compounds, many of which are known carcinogens. ?Please investigate this for yourself before moving forward with a SVO conversion. > > Rich Cregar, CMAT, L1, F1 (ASE) > Department of Automotive & Heavy Duty Technologies > Wake Technical Community College > Graduate, SAE Diesel Technology Academy > Participant, SAE 2008 Light Duty Diesel Emission Symposium > GlaxoSmithKline Faculty Fellow, Institute for Emerging Issues > NCSU > Raleigh, NC > > > > ____________________________________________________________ > Find success and happiness with drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Click now. > http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/BLSrjpYWej6vggMTKXh4rFDJoM4d7pZposxSYQFSN3PF2bbhrqhwsgy9m2c/ > _______________________________________________ > Biofuels_Interest_Group mailing list > Biofuels_Interest_Group at lists.emji.net > http://lists.emji.net/mailman/listinfo/biofuels_interest_group > -- 931.210.3610 42 Forsythe St. Asheville, NC 28801 Key ID: 0x71B7982A -- 931.210.3610 42 Forsythe St. Asheville, NC 28801 Key ID: 0x71B7982A From bonitz at cleanenergy.org Tue Apr 21 12:10:04 2009 From: bonitz at cleanenergy.org (John Bonitz) Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:10:04 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Anyone on this list near Henderson County, NC? In-Reply-To: <49E79EF0.1060106@earthlink.net> Message-ID: Friends, Anyone driving on biodiesel near Henderson County, NC? Folks organizing the 2nd Annual Energy Expo next weekend at Blue Ridge Community College are seeking a driver willing to display their vehicle this Saturday. More info below. Please respond directly to "Thomas J. Davis" Thanks, ~ ~ ~ John Bonitz, Farm Outreach & Policy Advocate Southern Alliance for Clean Energy PO Box 1833, Pittsboro, NC 27312 Phone: 919-360-2492 Email: bonitz at cleanenergy.org Web: http://www.cleanenergy.org > Thomas J. Davis wrote: >> >> Ned, >> >> Do you know anyone in Henderson County using biodiesel in their vehicle who >> might be willing to display it at the Energy Expo April 25? I usually get >> Brian Winslett but he can't help me this year. >> >> >> >> If you could give me some names and contact info I can take it from there. >> >> >> >> Thanks for your help. >> >> Tom >> >> 297-0607 >> >> tnjdavis at mchsi.com From rudolfdiesel at netzero.net Fri Apr 24 14:00:26 2009 From: rudolfdiesel at netzero.net (rudolfdiesel at netzero.net) Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:00:26 GMT Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] FYI--- B-5 Rule in Iowa? Message-ID: <20090424.140026.21828.1@webmail21.dca.untd.com> Iowa could pass B5 rule 04/21/2009 Send this to a friend DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Hawkeye State could be the next state to mandate biodiesel. As Iowa lawmakers head into what could be the final week of their legislative session, still on the table is a bill that would require biodiesel blends in the state. According to local news, the Iowa Senate passed a Biodiesel Fuel Quality Standard bill (SF 464), requiring the use of a 5 percent biodiesel blend in every gallon of diesel sold in the state. It also provides a 3-cent-per-gallon tax credit to retailers for every gallon of diesel sold containing at least a 10 percent blend of biodiesel. The bill must be approved by the House before going to the governor for his signature. Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, New Mexico and Massachusetts have all approved biodiesel requirements -- not without initial misfueling and quality control issues. In Canada, B.C. will be rolling out a B5 mandate on Jan. 1, 2010. Alberta and Manitoba are considering similar rules, while the federal government is committed to a national B2 mandate before 2012. In Canada, most of the proposals are much more controversial, however, as petroleum suppliers will be required to produce "an average" biodiesel spec for their entire diesel pool, meaning higher blends will have to be produced and marketed to make up for larger customers who demand little or no biodiesel content. ____________________________________________________________ Click here to find the perfect picture with our powerful photo search features. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/BLSrjpYR2bn91uqLCe10apiJWSapeuxfSOwVnzKjKFnGi6M6gbjQ18aVnwM/ From john.bonitz at gmail.com Fri Apr 24 18:53:18 2009 From: john.bonitz at gmail.com (John Bonitz) Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:53:18 -0400 Subject: [Biofuels_Interest_Group] Breaking News: Automakers' science experts said "undeniable" human role in climate change, 14 years ago! Message-ID: <84a57a420904241553j4d6b53a9w5430f55b66b103f7@mail.gmail.com> Stunning. The auto industry's own paid scientists said climate change is irrefutable, 14 years go! Check out the actual memo on the NYTimes website. http://documents.nytimes.com/global-climate-coalition-aiam-climate-change-primer#p=1 And here is the full newspaper article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/science/earth/24deny.html?_r=1 This document, filed in a federal lawsuit, demonstrates that even as the Global Climate Coalition worked to sway opinion against the Kyoto Protocol, its own scientific and technical experts were advising that the science backing the role of greenhouse gases in global warming could not be refuted. ?The scientific basis for the Greenhouse Effect and the potential impact of human emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2 on climate is well established and cannot be denied,? the experts wrote in an internal report compiled for the coalition in 1995. If you haven't called your Senators and Representatives lately, call them soon. They are voting on this legislation next week! http://www.cleanenergy.org/index.php?/Take-Action.html?form_id=51&item_id=7 John Bonitz Pittsboro, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~