No TDI For You!

A friend writes:

"I just noticed that the VW web site states that Diesel (TDI) engines are NOT available in California, Maine, Vermont, New York and Massachusetts..."

"Huh?"

This is how I understand it; please correct me if I'm wrong!

It has to do with those states having strict(er) laws about diesel fuel and emissions. Because diesel has traditionally been heavily-polluting, these states are throttling the supply of passenger diesel-powered cars. I think it also affects Mercedes-Benz, and whoever else sells passenger diesels.

Next year, all diesel fuel sold in California is required by law to be of the ultra low-sulfur variety, which is lower-polluting, and therefore VW will be allowed to sell TDIs again.

Or something like that.

New Mexico

Does anybody out there have info about biodiesel availability in New Mexico? I just heard from a friend in Santa Fe who's considering buying a VW TDI, but this map doesn't look too promising...

Thinking of Going Biodiesel

A BiodieselBlog reader writes,

Biodiesel is pretty widely available in my area. Currently the price difference with conventional fuel is trivial, but even if demand shoots up and goes to $3 per gallon I could live the difference between that and conventional fuel."

I am not a mechanic. And don't want a lot of fuss so:

1) Do I buy of the cars that is rated especially for biodiesel?

2) Do I buy any decent mainstream diesel (Volkswagon or Ford mostly it looks like) and just run it on biodiesel instead of conventional fuel.

3) If I go route 1 (buying a car with some sort of modifications for biodiesel) if I'm out in the desert and conventional diesel is the only fuel around can I put that in instead without damaging my car. In other words can I use biodiesel normally, and regular diesel once in a blue moon if I happen to be somewhere biodiesel is not available.

I'm biased, but I'd definitely encourage the reader to go biodiesel if it's widely available in his/her area — buy whatever VW TDI would work best lifestyle-wise, given how efficient they are. Biodiesel and regular diesel blend just fine.

If you have any other advice, feel free to post it in the comments.

Biodiesel Blog Aggregation

I just came across a nice aggregation of all the various biodiesel-related weblogs out there:

http://biodieselblogs.truffula.net/

Eucalyptus oil?

A reader from Hawaii writes:

"After the demise of the commercial sugar industry here in Hawaii, we were challenged with creating a "New Agriculture for our island. As a part of that effort large plantings of eucalyptus now occupy some of the lands once used for sugar. Soon those trees will be harvested. So the question is ; Can the oils found in the fall-down/ by-product (branches and leaves) of these trees be used in the production of bio fuels?"

Anybody have any info about eucalyptus oil? Leave a comment.

National Biodiesel Conference updates

First, an article from Wired News: Backroom Tussling Over Biodiesel

"The farmers, soybean growers from Midwestern states, are enlisting the help of environmentalists and celebrities, to give them the hip, eco-friendly image they need to reach young adults and baby boomers. The relationship between soybean growers and environmentalists is proving a rocky one, however..."

"One worry backyarders and environmentalists have is that a biodiesel market dominated by soybean growers will promote the use of Monsanto's Roundup Ready soybean seeds, which have been genetically altered to resist the company's herbicide, Roundup."

There are some good quotes in there from SaraHope of the Berkeley Biofuel Oasis and Lyle from Piedmont Biofuels.

[via Ryan]

Next, an update from Martin Tobias, who runs the Living on Biodiesel blog:

"There are actual customers at the show. Farmers, entrepreneurs, distributors, retailers, large fuel consumers, and more. Actual customers of biodiesel. Companies that want to expand their investment in the business. This is a good sign. Many trade shows I have been to end up being alot of vendors talking to each other wondering where the real customers are. This is not the case here."

Reader Request: Rubber Fittings?

Here's another request for info, from a reader via email:

"I work for an oil company and we are thinking of producing biodiesel to blend into petrodiesel. I am worried by the issue of rubber damage but I cannot see anywhere whether this is only an issue with BD100 or if is happens at low blend concentrations. Would you or your readers know anything about this?"

From what I've heard/read, this is only a problem with natural-rubber fittings, and doesn't affect synthetic fittings. Definitely correct me if I'm wrong, though!

Please leave a comment if you've got any feedback — thanks!

Willie Nelson!

Wired News, Willie Nelson Bets on Biodiesel

"Nelson told The Associated Press in an interview last week that he began learning about the product a few years ago after his wife purchased a biodiesel-burning car in Hawaii, where the star has a home."

"'I got on the computer and punched in biodiesel and found out this could be the future,' said Nelson, who now uses the fuel for his cars and tour buses."

"Peter Bell, a Texas biodiesel supplier, struck up a friendship with Nelson after filling up one of the tour buses, and the business partnership came together just before Christmas..."

"'What Willie brings to this is the ability to communicate directly with a truck driver. That kind of community is hard for people to get to,' Bell said. 'When he starts talking, these folks really listen to him.... It's like having Tiger Woods talk about golf clubs.'"

[via Jason and Jason]

Calculations?

A Biodiesel Blog reader posted a comment, inquiring:

"I'm at the University of Florida and am trying to do prelim. research on biodiesel production. I got an email back from one of the dining hall directors telling me that they produce 750 lbs of 'waste grease' a month. How could I determine how much of a fuel yield would one get from that?"

If you know how to calculate this, please leave a comment - thanks!

Biofuel seminar in Ohio

(snagged from the LJ Biodiesel Community!)

Ohio Biofuel Seminar -- January 18, 2005

From Farm to Factory to Fuel Tank:
Stimulating Availability and Use of Biofuels for Motor Vehicles in Ohio

Policy Seminars for Ohio Legislators, Staff and Interested Parties

January 18, 2005
Vern Riffe Tower, 77 South High Street, 31st Floor, Columbus

**How many jobs and other economic benefits for Ohio could result from production of biofuels? Hear about research done at The Ohio State University.

**What is the practicality of using more and higher blends of biodiesel by fleets and individuals? Hear about great examples being set today by fleets in Ohio.

**Ohio uses a large amount of E10, 10% ethanol blended with gasoline, but what is the potential for vehicles that can use much higher blends such as E85? Learn about the increasing number of flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), capable of using E85, owned by governments, private fleets and individuals in Ohio?

**In 2004, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared several Ohio counties in non-attainment with two different federal air quality standards. Learn about the potential for biofuels to help improve air quality.

**In October 2004, President Bush signed the FSC/ETI Jobs Act, which included strong tax benefits for ethanol and biodiesel. Learn the facts about the landmark law and its potential impact on price and terminal availability of biodiesel and E85.

#61523; Other states have enacted policies to help increase availability of biodiesel and E85 to fleet and individual consumers. Learn about model policies passed in other states and legislation being developed by Ohio state legislators, and how new policies could help put biofuels in Ohio motorists' tanks.

Repeating Seminars beginning at 8:30 am and 1:00 pm
Light refreshments will be available

AGENDA

1. Welcome – TBA

2. Overview – Sam Spofforth, Executive Director, Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition

3. Economic and Job Creation Potential from Biofuels Production – Dr. Thomas Sporleder, Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Science (Invited)

4. Status of New Biodiesel and Ethanol Plants in Ohio; Wholesale and Retail Availability of Biodiesel and E85 – John Lumpe, Ohio Soybean Council and Dwayne Siekman, Ohio Corn Growers Association

5. Federal Tax Credits for Biodiesel and E85; Models of Effective State-Level Policy and Recommendations for Ohio – Scott Hughes, National Biodiesel Board

6. Draft State Legislation on Biofuels Use – Rep. Steve Reinhard (R-Bucyrus)

7. Conclusion

Please RSVP by Friday, January 14 by contacting Sam Spofforth, Executive Director, Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition, at (614) 292-5435 or sam@cocfc.org. Remember to indicate your choice of the morning or afternoon session.

Sponsored by Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition, Ohio Soybean Council, Ohio Corn Growers Association, and Others

(Snatched from the BiodieselNow Forums)

b100 Blog

Yesterday I came across an excellent new blog, b100 Fuel, Living on Biodiesel, written by Martin Tobias:

"A reader of my Deep Green Crystals has been tracking my Touareg adventures with Biodiesel. This reader also has a Touareg and has a friend with one. They were wanting a place to share experiences. So here it is. But I have made the idea a little larger (who woulda guessed). I was lying in bed this morning with this question running through my head: What would the world be like if all the current diesel cars, trucks and generators were switched over night to B100? How would things be different? How do we get there? Hopefully this blog will explore that idea over the next few years."

Biodiesel License Plate Frames

BiodieselNow has Powered by Biodiesel license plate frames available for $10:



"Our good friend PizzaMan (George) is producing a bunch of license plate frames to help you show off your support of biodiesel! George has made many plate frames in the past for TDIClub.com, and his work is top-notch. He's making special offer to BioDieselNow supporters - buy one (or two!) for $10 ($1.50 off his regular price), and he'll donate $2 per plate frame to BioDieselNow!"