[Biodiesel In Utah] Fw: Biodiesel Bulletin - August 1, 2006
Andre Shoumatoff
andre at utahbiodiesel.org
Wed Aug 9 17:19:24 EDT 2006
National Biodiesel Board
----- Original Message -----
From: National Biodiesel Board
To: andre at utahbiodiesel.org
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 5:33 PM
Subject: Biodiesel Bulletin - August 1, 2006
In This Issue August 1, 2006
a.. Austin Opens 19 B20 Pumps
b.. Countrymark Makes B5 Pipeline Run
c.. Don't Wrinkle Your Unibrow Trying to Spell Biodiesel
d.. Jeep® to Fuel Grand Cherokee CRD with B5 at the Factory
e.. MoDOT, Florida P&L Demo Diesel-Hybrids
a.. BiodieselMagazine.com Revamps its Web Presence
b.. A Pretty Woman With a New Cause
c.. Banded Together for Biodiesel
d.. Plant Opening Today Represents Plant, Terminal and User Growth
e.. Schoolchildren Paint a Biodiesel Picture
Austin Opens 19 B20 Pumps
A city known for its live music is now also renowned to the nation's biodiesel enthusiasts. Nineteen Shell stations in the Austin, Texas, area have opened pumps that carry a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel (B20).
Austin Biofuels, a biodiesel distributor and marketer, teamed up with Triple S Petroleum, a local petroleum distributor, to roll out B20 to its Shell-branded "Signature Austin" convenience stores in July.
"We've had a B99 and B100 presence in town since 2003, but adding these B20 pumps will really expand our customer base," said Jeff Plowman, president of Austin Biofuels.
One other pump in Austin carries B20, bringing the total to 20. NBB estimates that there are more than 800 retail pumps, with varying blend levels of biodiesel, nationally.
About 1,700 petroleum distributors like Triple S carry biodiesel nationwide. This news is music to the ears of diesel drivers in Austin and the rest of the country.
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Countrymark Makes B5 Pipeline Run
Countrymark recently became the first company to announce a successful B5 run through a pipeline that carries gasoline, diesel and heating oil. The biodiesel distributor based in Indiana and member of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) announced last week the Jolietville, Ind., terminal received 210,000 gallons of the five percent biodiesel blend from its Mt. Vernon refinery.
"We consider this a major move by a major company involved in the refining and pipeline business," said Steve Howell, Technical Director for NBB. "Thanks to Countrymark testing a pipeline run, doubts are lessened from it simply never being done before. This run by Countrymark provides some definitive data that running B5 in a US pipeline can be done successfully."
Employing the Co-op's pipeline to move this shipment eliminated the need to haul three traditional transport truckloads of B100 over the road the 238 miles for blending at the rack.
The load received in Jolietville was subjected to thorough sampling and scrutiny by an independent lab to ensure that fuel specifications and transportation expectations were met. Samples were also pulled from the tender prior to the B5 and following the B5 to confirm no unusual pre-existing or residual effects that could potentially compromise fuel integrity.
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Don't Wrinkle Your Unibrow Trying to Spell Biodiesel
Defining a new level of success, the word "biodiesel" appears in the 2006 update of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition. This marks the first time that it has appeared in the dictionary, and signifies that biodiesel is becoming a household word.
That means "biodiesel" joins the ranks of "unibrow," "ringtone," and "supersize" in modern lexicography.
The new dictionary defines biodiesel as: "a fuel that is similar to diesel fuel and is derived from usually vegetable sources (as soybean oil)."
"Appearing as a word in the dictionary gives biodiesel the credibility that it deserves," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. "It shows we are making an impact on getting biodiesel into the mainstream, and that is very gratifying."
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Jeep® to Fuel Grand Cherokee CRD with B5 at the Factory
Chrysler Group announced last week that its first diesel-powered, full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) offered in the United States will be shipped from the factory with B5, a blend containing 5 percent biodiesel. The Jeep® Grand Cherokee CRD's B5 factory fueling builds on a similar program implemented with the company's Jeep Liberty CRD.
The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee features a 3.0 liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine built by Mercedes-Benz. Clean diesel technology improves fuel economy by an average of 30 percent and reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 20 percent. The Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit and will arrive at Jeep dealerships in the first quarter of 2007. Peter Cremer North America of Cincinnati, OH - certified through the industry's BQ-9000 quality control program - will supply the biodiesel fuel.
Meanwhile, progress toward a national B20 specification continued to move forward within the ASTM International technical committee responsible for specifications that ensure the quality of the nation's fuel supply. This is in line with the industry's goal of strong auto and engine maker position statements for B20. The committee recently approved nine ballot items for improvements and changes to the existing B100 specification. The changes were necessary to move forward on approval of a blended fuel specification for B20.
The ASTM changes, which included a first-ever agreement on a stability parameter, were approved at an ASTM petroleum products and lubricants subcommittee meeting on June 29 in Toronto, Ontario. Previously, failure to pass a stability parameter was the biggest hurdle to the passage of blended (B20) fuel specifications. The Engine Manufacturers Association has recently approved up to B20 for engine testing.
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MoDOT, Florida P&L Demo Diesel-Hybrids
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is the first government agency in the nation to test an energy saving diesel-electric bucket truck. MoDOT's use of it is made even more environmentally friendly by using B20; the department has been using the 20 percent biodiesel/80 percent diesel mixture for years in its traditional diesels. MoDOT officials expect the Utility Hybrid Truck Pilot Program's vehicles to cut fuel costs, smog-producing emissions, maintenance costs and noise and provide an emergency alternative power source.
"MoDOT is proud to participate in a pilot program that will enhance our ability to protect the environment and realize substantial fuel cost savings at a time when gas and diesel prices continue to rise," said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. "We look forward to learning more about how these vehicles will compare to the conventional trucks in our fleet and how they can help us make the best use of taxpayer dollars."
A conventional bucket truck must remain running at a work site to operate the hydraulic arm that moves the bucket. New technology enables the hybrid truck's engine to be shut off at the work site. On average, a conventional bucket truck in MoDOT's fleet consumes 2,176 gallons of diesel fuel per year. Applying the fuel savings realized in earlier tests, a hybrid truck would only consume about half, or an estimated 1,088 gallons of B20 fuel.
Florida Power & Light (FPL), another long-time biodiesel user, was also selected to receive three of the trucks. FPL has used B20 to power its diesel fleet since 2000, and will use B20 in the hybrids.
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BiodieselMagazine.com Revamps its Web Presence
Biodiesel Magazine, through BBI International Media, is adding to its options for readers of biodiesel news. It has just revamped its Web site, www.BiodieselMagazine.com, to be a more comprehensive online resource.
This updated site will allow readers to access all issues of the magazine, searching by key words and categories. It also lists all known commercial scale biodiesel plants in North America. Additional "Web Exclusive" stories will be posted weekly. Other interactive features include a "Question of the Week" poll, "Ask an Expert," and a commodities page that posts up-to-the-minute market prices, including various oil, meal, natural gas and electricity futures. Advertising and subscription information is also easily accessible from this site.
The online Biodiesel Magazine, like its print version, also includes "Inside NBB," a section highlighting the activities of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), the trade association representing the industry.
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A Pretty Woman with a New Cause
Earth Biofuels, Inc., announced that actress Julia Roberts will become a spokesperson for the company and will chair the company's newly formed Advisory Board. Roberts joins fellow Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman and country music legend Willie Nelson in promoting the use of renewable fuels such as Earth Biofuels' biodiesel and ethanol.
"It's very important that we expand our use of clean energy and make a long-term commitment to it," Roberts said. "Biodiesel and ethanol are better for the environment and for the air we breathe."
The Advisory Board will provide guidance to senior management on key issues and will serve to broaden biofuels awareness on a national scale. Earth Biofuels and Roberts will collaborate on a program to encourage the use of clean-burning biodiesel fuel in the more than 500,000 diesel school buses currently in service across the United States.
"The use of biodiesel is a positive step toward minimizing pollutive emissions and greenhouse gases," Roberts said. "By focusing on school buses, we can affect the health and wellbeing of the people most susceptible to that pollution -- our children -- today."
Earth Biofuels is based in Dallas and produces and distributes biodiesel fuel under the product name "BioWillie."
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Banded Together for Biodiesel
Vans Warped Tour - Along with individual bands using and promoting biodiesel, the practice continues to be popular with music festivals. The Vans Warped Tour is a traveling rock music festival visiting 50 cities in 60 days, with eight or nine stages, 70 to 80 bands and an extensive village all operated by 700 crew and artists. Despite the enormity of energy needs to operate this, the tour is lessening its impact on the environment through the use of biodiesel, and through other measures. At the end of the first month of the tour, direct CO2 was reduced by 134,706 pounds through the use of 41,780 gallons of biodiesel B2O.
Here are some of the other rock "bands on the bean:"
The Black Crowes - National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has helped the Black Crowes find biodiesel blends on the first leg of its 2006 tour. Bus driver Bob Bottiglieri took an instrumental role in procuring biodiesel on the Black Crowes tour.
Guster - The band Guster continues to be a tireless advocate for biodiesel. The Wisconsin Clean Cities-Southeast Area recently held an event featuring Guster, the University of Wisconsin's Challenge X competition vehicle, and other alternative energy show pieces and representatives. Challenge X's vehicle, the "Moovada," is a Chevy Equinox re-engineered as a hybrid biodiesel-electric prototype that took runner up honors at the 2006 Challenge X Department of Energy competition. This Milwaukee event preceded the Summerfest concert series where Guster headlined that evening.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - NBB is one sponsor of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's use of biodiesel on the band's current tour. They are one band who employs the RoadShow Services trucking company because of its commitment to finding and using biodiesel.
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Plant Opening Today Represents Plant, Terminal and User Growth
A biodiesel plant opening today shows a strong example of the steady growth of the industry. Integrity Biofuels of Morristown, Indiana, held its grand opening today with representatives of the American Trucking Association, National Biodiesel Board (NBB), state officials and the Indiana Soybean Board present.
Integrity Biofuels, an NBB member, is not the only new biodiesel plant in the state. Evergreen Renewables, another NBB member, also opened its doors within the last month. Evergreen is based in Hammond.
Michigan is on track to follow these plants soon. Michigan Biodiesel LLC held an open house in July for its plant set to open in Fall 2006. The Bangor Michigan plant is reported to be a 10 million gallon capacity facility.
A next step in biodiesel's distribution is availability at the terminal. Marathon recently opened a terminal in Louisville, Ky., for housing and distribution of biodiesel fuel at the company's Kramer's Lane Terminal. The Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, the Kentucky Soybean Board and National Clean Cities, Inc. collaborated with Marathon to attract grants that helped enable the installation of the blending infrastructure.
One user benefiting from greater biodiesel availability will be Portland, Oregon. Its city council unanimously approved an ordinance that requires all diesel fuel sold in the city to contain a minimum blend of 5 percent biodiesel. The new requirements take effect July 1, 2007.
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Schoolchildren Paint a Biodiesel Picture
A 144-foot biodiesel mural is gracing downtown Boise, Idaho. Boise junior and senior high schools participated in a Treasure Valley Clean Cities Coalitions-sponsored event that asked them to create illustrations showing biodiesel benefiting their area.
Craig Ballhagen, a Clean Cities stakeholder, would like to promote any other municipal area to do the same. "This is a great fundraiser for any school district in the U.S," he said. "This alternative energy mural on biodiesel raised over $9,000.00 for these area schools. It also served as an opportunity for local Department of Energy representatives to hold mini-biodiesel seminars at the schools.
"When the fence that the drawings are mounted on comes down, each section will go to the sponsors' place of business for display," he said. "The mural, once reconstructed, will be portable and reusable for various biodiesel events throughout Idaho. Because the project is self-funding, the possibilities for promotion and outreach are endless," said Ballhagen.
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Upcoming Events
a.. Practical Short Course on Biodiesel and Industrial Applications of Vegetable Oils
Food Protein Research and Development Center
August 20-23
Texas A&M University, College Station
www.tamu.edu/food-protein/fatsoils/scbiodiesel.htm
b.. 2nd Biodiesel Congress
F.O. Licht and IBC do Brasil
August 22-24
Sao Paulo, Brazil
www.Agra-Net.com
c.. Great American Trucking Show (GATS)
August 24-26
Dallas, TX
www.gatsonline.com
d.. Nat.'l Association of State Energy Officials(NASEO)
Sept. 10-13
Seattle
www.naseo.org/events/annual/default.htm
e.. 5th European Motor Biofuels Forum, 2006
Northeast Biofuels
Sept. 11, 2006
Hilton Newcastle Gateshead
UK
www.europoint-bv.com/biofuels2006
f.. Trade Mission to Brazil on Renewable Energy and Biofuels
Global California, Silicon Valley CITD and West Valley College
Sept. 16-23
São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
1-800-769-6034 or citd at svcitd.org
g.. Soya Summit
SoyaTech
Sept. 18-20, 2006
St. Louis
www.soyasummit.com
h.. Edible Oil '06-Biodiesel in the Food Channel
Sept. 19, 2006
FIBES, Seville
Seville, Spain
www.edibleoil.net
i.. TX Biodiesel Conf. and Expo
Biodiesel Coalition of Texas (BCOT)
Sept. 27, 2006
Hilton Austin Airport
Hilton, TX
www.biodieselevents.com
j.. Biodiesel Finance and Investment Summit
InfoCast
Oct. 11-13, 2006
Millennium Hotel
Minneapolis, MN
www.infocastinc.com/biodiesel.html
k.. Biodiesel Finance & Investment Summit
Financial Fesearch Associates LLC
Oct. 24, 2006
3 West Club
New York City
www.frallc.com/conference.aspx?ccode=sh133
l.. 19th Industry Growth Forum
NREL
Oct. 24-26, 2006
Doubletree Hotel
Philadelphia, PA
www.cleanenergyforum.com
m.. Great Wall Renewable Energy Forum
ACORE-American Council on Renewable Energy
October 24, 2006
Beijing Int.'l Conference Center
Beijing, China
www.gwref.org
n.. Future Fuels USA
CWC Group
Nov. 27, 2006
Washington, DC
www.thecwgroup.com
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Contact Us
Amber Thurlo Pearson, Communications Specialist
apearson at biodiesel.org Bev Thessen, Information Coordinator
bthessen at biodiesel.org
This bulletin is also available in PDF format online at
http://www.biodiesel.org/news/bulletin/
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2003 National Biodiesel Board - www.biodiesel.org
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