Radio piece: Biodiesel for truckers

Here's a Living on Earth audio spot (including a transcript) about truckers and biodiesel; snippet:

"I didn't know a whole lot about it as far as biodiesel but the truckers say you get better mileage, the exhaust is not hurting your eyes or anything else. It's beautiful stuff. And so the truckers convinced me and, you know, that's who's gonna put it on the map anyway."
...

"Many truckers feel a tie to farmers because they transport agricultural products. And so far, biodiesel is not allowed to travel by pipeline. Instead, it's hauled by rail or tanker truck, so it's a source of work for truckers, too. The National Biodiesel Board ranks trucker outreach as one of its top priorities."

[via the SF Biofuel Y! Group]

NPR on Biodiesel

There's a great NPR/Kitchen Sisters piece from a few months back about biodiesel - they chat with the folks behind BioWillie, and about Carl's Corner TX, where it was first sold:

"Carl's Corner, Texas, is a truck stop between Dallas and Waco, Texas, where a little revolution has begun. Where truckers fill up on American fuel made from farm crops. BioWillie, they call it, because Willie Nelson is the driving force behind this biodiesel vision. His tour bus runs on it, (so do Bonnie Raitt's and Neil Young's) and a brigade of 18-wheelers barreling down the nation's highways; a growing fleet of semis whose exhaust smells like French fries."

With its dancing frogs on top of the truck-stop sign, Carl's is a well-known landmark for motorists who travel Interstate 35 outside of Dallas. Owner Carl Cornelius bought the land in 1979 and incorporated the town in 1986 so he could sell alcohol in an otherwise dry part of Hill County. He's been mayor ever since."

Philippines: BioActiv

Bioactiv appears to be a biodiesel-related fuel additive sold in the Philippines, interestingly promoted as a 1-5% blending agent:

• First time Engine System Clean-up (20% blend or 4:1 ratio): A higher blend ratio will quickly dissolve gum and carbon deposits in the combustion chamber and in declogging fuel injection nozzles. A 20% blend will act like a liquid overhaul.
• Quarterly Engine Maintenance (5% blend or 20:1 ratio): Quarterly treatment of the engine with a 5% blend to declog and lubricate the fuel system for proper engine care and maintenance.
• Regular Operational Use (1%-2% Blend or 100:1/50:1 ratio): A 1%-2% blend in diesel fuel will minimize smoke emission, generate more mileage, and reduce maintenance cost.

Ohio Biodiesel

Looks like there's finally some consumer/commercially-available biodiesel for sale in Ohio (my home state)!

"The proximity to Interstate 71 at exit 151 just east of Mount Gilead Ohio makes it an ideal stop for many who find the other renewable fuel filling stations inconvenient. I personally appreciated the pay at the pump credit card option as it makes the stop quick … besides, it is just a few yards west of the interstate exit — truly a no-hassle ‘pit stop.’ If you have a flex-fuel vehicle, or drive a diesel, be sure to support Ohio farmers growing clean fuel made in America."

Gaiam Biodiesel Processors

This weekend I've been getting caught up on some biodieselblog-related emails, and came across one mentioning Gaiam's Biofuel section:

• Fuelmeister Biodiesel processor: $2,999
• AGR BioHome 150: $4,995
• AGR BioPro 190: $7,995

Business 2.0 on biodiesel

Saw an article in a recent issue of Business 2.0 about soy-based biodiesel in Argentina, here's a snippet:

"The first significant player in this market just emerged: Imperium Renewables, a Seattle startup, will soon begin building a biodiesel refinery in Argentina that CEO Martin Tobias says will produce 100 million gallons of fuel per year. That, for comparison's sake, is more than the entire U.S. output in 2005."

"While the VC-backed plant will cost about $50 million to build and takes 50 people to operate, clean-tech experts consider the Argentine biodiesel market wide open to smaller players. In fact, newer off-the-shelf technology that's currently being commercialized will lower plant construction costs to about $3 million, a far more digestible sum for angel investors."

There *is* a diesel/electric hybrid

Just saw a Tech Talk at work about diesels and plugin-hybrids by UC Davis' Reed Benet. One factoid I learned is that there is, apparently, a diesel/electric hybrid in the works after all:

• GM's Opel Astra
• Wikipedia's Astra page
• AutoBlog on the Astra

I'd rather buy a VW TDI/hybrid though...

SeQuential Biofuel Station, Eugene, Oregon

David Metz kindly sent a link to his blog post (including photos!) about the SeQuential Biofuel Station in Eugene, Oregon.

TreeHugger has more info: E10, E85, B5, B20 and B100 blends at the pump, plus:

"The fuel station also includes a convenience store that carries top-shelf natural foods and beverages, many of which are produced by regional companies. The store also houses an annex of Sweet Life Patisserie, an established local coffee and pastry shop renowned for its premium coffees, baked goods and savories, complete with wireless internet and an inviting seating area. Local farmers will stock a seasonal fresh produce stand also located at the station."

NYTimes: Biofuels Comes of Age

Great New York Times piece on biofuels, I loved seeing this part:

About 76 commercial biodiesel plants are in production today, up from 22 in 2004. The average business operates one plant that yields 30 million gallons a year of fuel and costs up to $20 million to build. Some companies are planning refineries capable of brewing up to 100 million gallons a year.

Nationwide production of the fuel tripled last year over 2004 to 75 million gallons. The board estimates that production will double this year, but Mr. Jobe estimates that the number could reach as much as, if not more, than 250 million gallons by year’s end.

Italian Grapes and Ethanol

This month's Wired has an interesting article about how they're starting to make wine-based ethanol in Italy:

"...grape skins, like all plant matter, contain carbohydrates that can be broken down into sugar and fermented. And enough ethyl alcohol can be distilled from the skins to make a decent source of biofuel or gas additive. After the annual pressing, Caviro alone procures 100,000 tons of marc from vineyards and farms across Italy."

Santa Cruz - Biodiesel at the Pump

MSNBC:

Residents of Santa Cruz looking for an alternative vehicle fuel now have a local source. A USA gas station is the first in the city to offer biodiesel to its customers.

The station is selling the fuel for $3.15 a gallon.

I just filled up there yesterday for $3.21/gallon, will post a photo soon. This is such excellent news!

New Biodiesel Rebate Program

Press release from CaseStack about their new Biodiesel Rebate program:

"The Green Rebate Program, which begins July 1 and ends September 1, 2006, offers a rebate of 10 cents per gallon, up to $50.00 for the truck drivers... Companies can also participate by taking part in the Green Consolidation Program where they can contribute seamlessly to the environment without making drastic changes to their operations. CaseStack will identify all participating companies as Green Partners and include them in all recognition marketing such as national and regional targeted advertising campaigns, PR announcements and viral marketing. The Green Consolidation Program is the first of many goodwill programs CaseStack plans on implementing over the years."