I've been asked lately about how to make biodiesel. This is an easy to follow video I found on youtube.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Speaking to Birds Like Francis of Assisi
I have heard from a very reliable source, that Sen. John Snow will be interviewed for Marketplace on NPR. I have no idea when this program will air, but it looks promising for the biofuels industry in this State. During this interview, Sen. Snow will be discussing Biodiesel and North Carolina. It appears that the recent article in the Charlotte Observer (A Price to Pay for Alternative Fuels) has pull farther away than just North Carolina. It appears that these pieces of legislation North Carolinians have been fighting hard to pass are finally getting the attention they so rightly deserve. It will be interesting to see what type of response this interview will receive and if legislators are willing to act on it. Stay tuned for more developments.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Rubbish
Senator Hoyle (Gaston County) has produced a biodiesel bill, which can only be classified as: "Rubbish." Senate Bill 1149 would do nothing but hinder the biofuels industry in North Carolina. The bill attempts to remove one of the largest buyers of diesel from the Biofuels market, schools. If his plan were to go through, $5 million would be appropriated to schools in North Carolina to begin the production of their own biodiesel. What type of insanity is this? Why should taxpayer money be allocated for further pie-in-the-sky works that would add nothing to the economy of the North Carolina. We are trying to establish a biofuels industry in North Carolina and Senator Hoyle wants the State to run it. Let the market determine which companies to support. This may sound like a novel idea to Senator Hoyle, but let's have the companies who are skilled at producing biodiesel produce biodiesel and let's let the schools do their job, Teach. Before we can afford to turn school campuses throughout North Carolina into industrial plants, I suggest we improve the academic output. Senator Hoyle, Good day, sir.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Help Before Crossover Needed
We need to contact Senator R.C. Soles and urge him to put Senate Bill 1451 on the schedule for today's Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship meeting.
1451 establishes a biodiesel incentive fund for the producers of biodiesel in North Carolina. More accurately put, 1451 removes the excise tax on the first 2.5 million gallons of biodiesel produced in North Carolina using North Carolina feedstock. This is an important measure needed to ensure the viability of the biofuels industry in North Carolina.
Please, contact Sen. Soles.
1451 establishes a biodiesel incentive fund for the producers of biodiesel in North Carolina. More accurately put, 1451 removes the excise tax on the first 2.5 million gallons of biodiesel produced in North Carolina using North Carolina feedstock. This is an important measure needed to ensure the viability of the biofuels industry in North Carolina.
Please, contact Sen. Soles.
Subject: Senate Bill 1451
Dear Sen. Soles,
I urge you to place Senate Bill 1451 on the agenda for todays meeting of Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship. 1451 is an important measure to ensure the sustainability of the biofuels industry in North Carolina. This bill would establish a biodiesel incentive fund, which would help the current producers of biodiesel and would encourage more industry. More accurately, 1451 would remove the excise tax on the first 2.5 million gallons of biodiesel produced using North Carolina feedstock. This is an important bill and I strongly encourage you to place it on the agenda.
Sincerely,
**Name**
**Address**
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Time to Get off Our Asses
Tomorrow at 12pm, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship will be hearing Senate Bill, 1452. It is important that we contact the members of this committee and urge them to support this bill. I understand with the lack of notice, that individuals who prefer snail mail will be left out of the loop again, but that shouldn’t stop the rest of us from contacting the Senate.
Chairman: R.C. Soles
Vice Chairman: David Hoyle
Vice Chairman: Tony Rand
Members: Tom Apodaca, Doug Berger, Phil Berger, Harris Blake, Julia Boseman, Walter Dalton, , Katie Dorsett, Tony Foriest, James Forrester, Linda Garrou, Eddie Goodall, Steve Goss, Malcolm Graham, Kay Hagan, Neal Hunt. Jim Jacumin, John Kerr, Vernon Malone, Floyd McKissick, Martin Nesbitt, Robert Pittenger, William Purcell, Larry Shaw, Richard Stevens
SUBJECT: Support SB 1452
Dear Sen. **Insert Senators Name**,
I am writing you to support Senate Bill 1452, an act to require school buses to use B20 blend Biodiesel. Studies have shown that children exposed to the soot from diesel engines suffer more respiratory health problems. School buses are one of the largest points of exposure to the harmful soot. Biodiesel is effective in reducing these harmful pollutants from air and ultimately the lungs of our State's children. Please do your share and support this important legislation
Sincerely,
**Name**
**Address**
Biodiesel Fact Sheet
What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a naturally oxygenated fuel produced from organic feed sources such as soybeans, cooking oil, and animal fats. Biodiesel can be used in its pure form (B100) or blended at any ratio with petroleum diesel to achieve cost efficiency and improve cold weather performance. It is commonly used as B20 - a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel.
What types of vehicles can use biodiesel?
Biodiesel can be used in any diesel vehicle without modification. It is used extensively in parts of Europe and is rapidly gaining support in the United States. Applications include buses, delivery trucks, waste disposal and recycling trucks, construction and farm equipment, heavy-duty freight hauling, boats and passenger vehicles. Biodiesel may also be utilized in stationary applications such as diesel generators and boilers.
How does biodiesel perform?
Biodiesel performs like traditional diesel, though B100 may result in a minimal power loss at the high end and a slight reduction in fuel economy. B20 users generally experience no marked difference in fuel economy from petroleum diesel. ASTM International has reviewed biodiesel performance and issued a final specification (users should be sure that any fuel they purchase meets ASTM D6751). Because biodiesel acts as a lubricant, it reduces wear and tear on the engine, reducing maintenance costs and extending engine life. Biodiesel remains blended with petroleum diesel so it can be easily stored and dispensed in existing facilities. Biodiesel thickens more than diesel fuel in cold weather and special considerations or minor modifications are required for use of B100. Vehicles produced prior to 1993 should have rubber seals in fuel pumps and fuel systems replaced with non-rubber (Viton) seals.
What are the benefits of using biodiesel?
For every 1 unit of fossil fuel energy that goes into producing biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are produced, a 1:3.2 energy balance ratio. Biodiesel also results in significantly lower emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, toxic contaminants, sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons, visible smoke and noxious odors than petroleum diesel. Depending on the feed source, biodiesel can result in a 78% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions over the entire production process.
Emissions reductions achieved by biodiesel as compared to petroleum diesel (Source:EPA)
Biodiesel is a naturally oxygenated fuel produced from organic feed sources such as soybeans, cooking oil, and animal fats. Biodiesel can be used in its pure form (B100) or blended at any ratio with petroleum diesel to achieve cost efficiency and improve cold weather performance. It is commonly used as B20 - a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel.
What types of vehicles can use biodiesel?
Biodiesel can be used in any diesel vehicle without modification. It is used extensively in parts of Europe and is rapidly gaining support in the United States. Applications include buses, delivery trucks, waste disposal and recycling trucks, construction and farm equipment, heavy-duty freight hauling, boats and passenger vehicles. Biodiesel may also be utilized in stationary applications such as diesel generators and boilers.
How does biodiesel perform?
Biodiesel performs like traditional diesel, though B100 may result in a minimal power loss at the high end and a slight reduction in fuel economy. B20 users generally experience no marked difference in fuel economy from petroleum diesel. ASTM International has reviewed biodiesel performance and issued a final specification (users should be sure that any fuel they purchase meets ASTM D6751). Because biodiesel acts as a lubricant, it reduces wear and tear on the engine, reducing maintenance costs and extending engine life. Biodiesel remains blended with petroleum diesel so it can be easily stored and dispensed in existing facilities. Biodiesel thickens more than diesel fuel in cold weather and special considerations or minor modifications are required for use of B100. Vehicles produced prior to 1993 should have rubber seals in fuel pumps and fuel systems replaced with non-rubber (Viton) seals.
What are the benefits of using biodiesel?
For every 1 unit of fossil fuel energy that goes into producing biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are produced, a 1:3.2 energy balance ratio. Biodiesel also results in significantly lower emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, toxic contaminants, sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons, visible smoke and noxious odors than petroleum diesel. Depending on the feed source, biodiesel can result in a 78% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions over the entire production process.
Emissions reductions achieved by biodiesel as compared to petroleum diesel (Source:EPA)
| B100 | B20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Monoxide | 47% | 12% |
| Hyrdocarbons | 67% | 20% |
| Particulates | 48% | 12% |
| Sulfates | 100% | 20% |
| Nitrogen Oxide | + 9% | + 2% (-10%)* |
| Air Toxics | 60-90% | 20% |
*A 2005 NCDOT study found a decrease in NO with B20 in on-road testing of dump trucks
Biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable and therefore does not pose a threat to water and soil resources if B100 is spilled. Producing biodiesel from restaurant oil or animal processing wastes reduces the amount of materials overcrowding landfills. Additionally, biodiesel is one of the safest fuels to use, handle, and store because it does not produce combustible vapors and has a flash point that is twice that of petroleum diesel. Significant benefits of biodiesel include reducing dependence on foreign oil and providing alternative markets for farmers. Low blends of biodiesel are highly effective at enhancing the lubricity of diesel fuel. The typical blend used for lubricity enhancement is 2% biodiesel mixed with 98% diesel (B2).
Will running on biodiesel void my warranty?
NO. Federal law, called the Magnuson Moss Act, prohibits the voiding of an OEM warranty just because an aftermarket additive - or biodiesel - was used. Vehicle warranties cover any problems with engine parts or engine operation due to error in manufacturing or assembly regardless of what fuel is being used. Therefore if an engine or vehicle using biodiesel experiences a failure unrelated to the biodiesel use, it must be covered by the OEM's warranty. Most major engine companies have made statements ensuring that the use of a biodiesel blend will not void their warranty.
Where can I get biodiesel?
Biodiesel is currently available in NC through a state purchasing contract. This contract makes B20 available to all slate and local government purchasers, including public schools and municipalities. It is also available to entities that do not purchase from the state contract through a network of distributors.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Open letter to North Carolina Senate and House of Representatives
By Sam Gray
Director of Operations
Smoky Mountain Biofuels
We at Smoky Mountain Biofuels are pleased to see the initial acceptance of Senate Bills 1272 and 1277. Certainly (SB 1272), an ASTM standard for biodiesel protects our state's consumers from inferior product, and establishes a benchmark for all North Carolina biodiesel providers wishing to tap the proposed "Biodiesel Incentive Fund." In addition, the logic of Senate Bill 1277 covers North Carolina diesel fleets through manufacturer's warranties that their vehicles shall safely run biodiesel blends such as B20. These bills are an excellent start to a greater acceptance of statewide biodiesel usage.
Momentum must start somewhere, and we are grateful for our state's progressive thinking to create the necessary standards to successfully embrace biodiesel. However, I cannot stress enough that these standards must be followed with meaningful incentives to aid an industry truly in crisis based on recent IRS rulings, and under attack from South Carolina biodiesel produced using a slew of state incentives.
In an earlier statement, I mentioned the recent IRS ruling that provides our federal Volumetric Excise Tax Credit ($1.00/gallon using virgin oils) to "Big Oil" mainstays such as ConocoPhillips. The shameful ruling allows large refineries to blend virgin oils and animal proteins directly into their crude refining stream. The result is a product termed "renewable diesel," which does not have to pass ASTM standards before reaching the end user. Furthermore, refineries do not have to bear the additional infrastructure cost of traditional biodiesel refining equipment to integrate biodiesel into their product mix. This stifles both traditional financing and venture capital avenues for securing a future for existing biodiesel plants. We are praying for the reversal of this ruling, or biodiesel defined by ASTM and endorsed by your Senate Bill 1272 will be replaced in the short term by "renewable diesel," as the American consumer does not understand the difference at this time. The richest companies in the world, operating in some of the most instable places on our planet, will be even further subsidized by the American taxpayer. All this, and nothing to bolster jobs and keep dollars at home.
Concerning our neighbors to the south, South Carolina has passed excellent legislation favoring the development of biodiesel refineries. They boast the largest refinery in the south at this time (Carolina Polymer), and their incentives allow both retailers and producers to benefit from increased biodiesel production. Most of our state's "Biodiesel Producers" are purchasing their biodiesel from South Carolina, since it can be purchased cheaper there than made here. Our proposed "North Carolina Biodiesel Fund" would truly equal the playing field and encourage more statewide production of biodiesel. By creating the incentive fund, North Carolina is poised to meet the anticipated mandates for state vehicles to run B20 or greater, all at a cost (untaxed) equal to or less than the wholesale rack prices from Spartanburg, SC. Consumers and government fleets benefit from the well priced biodiesel that negates South Carolina's lesser excise taxes. Truckers are encouraged to fuel up with B20 in North Carolina when travelling through our state, not waiting to get to South Carolina, Tennessee, or Georgia to take advantage of their cheaper fuel, thanks to their excise tax rate. There is no reason for truckers to fuel when passing through North Carolina, and this guarantees us less dollars spent at retail while increasing the harmful emissions and particulates associated with petroleum diesel. This scenario will never change unless you target diesel, the fuel that moves the trucking transportation sector. The only environmental way to do so is to endorse biodiesel, which would then lead to favoring "state produced" biodiesel to reap the windfalls of jobs and INCREASED STATE EXCISE TAX COLLECTIONS. That's right, a biodiesel incentive fund would actually INCREASE North Carolina Department of Revenue collections by encouraging the largest consumers (18 wheelers) to fuel in state, rather than waiting to arrive in any one of our neighboring states.
The above logic must override legislator fear of decreased road tax collections, and serves our residents over the long term both in air quality and ample money for our impressive road system. This logic also supports House Rep. Pricey Harrison's legislation to negate the state tax on North Carolina biodiesel production, since the overwhelming portion of B20 is still petroleum diesel. The diesel portion still owes taxes at the prevailing state tax rate, with the benefits unique to biodiesel. The "Biodiesel Incentive Fund" in conjunction with Rep. Harrison's "reduction of the state excise tax" will undoubtedly make North Carolina the east coast's leader in biodiesel production. Both pieces of legislation will ensure the North Carolina biodiesel industry's success at a time when our long term viability is threatened by both "Big Oil" and reluctance by state legislators to fully embrace our state's "Strategic Plan" for biofuels leadership.
I will end this plea from one of your own biodiesel producers with facts gained from the latest issue of "Field and Stream" magazine (May 2007). The facts relate to the extraordinary challenges posed by global warming, and reveal a 90% degree of certainty that human-generated greenhouse gases account for most of the global temperature rise seen over the last fifty years. Our state has a proud heritage of outdoorsmanship, and we cherish our waters, forests, and farmland for the bounty they deliver yearly. The most recent "Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" (IPCC) report from February 2007 shows that a 3.6 degree increase in global temperatures over the next century would cause massive species extinctions and melting of ice sheets. In addition, stream habitat in the Rocky Mountains would suffer an approximately 50% reduction of trout with an air temperature increase of 4.8 degrees. Global warming would furthermore lessen duck populations throughout the Midwest by up to 69%. The hunting season of the Arctic's Inuit people has already been reduced by 50% thanks to global warming.
Finally, over 70% of sportsmen (National Wildlife Federation poll) feel global warming is a threat to fish and wildlife. Please keep in mind that the effects of global warming are most noticeable at the poles, and will work their way toward the middle as we approach this "critical mass" of greenhouse gases. We are well underway, and it is beyond a legislators "civic duty" to DO SOMETHING NOW to encourage alternatives to the status quo. Understand that we are only a temporary bandage to the aforementioned problems, and we greatly need your assistance to ensure our viability. We can deliver immediate gains rather than banking on the next "holy grail" of transportation (i.e. hydrogen), and we can deliver these gains with your assistance. Please value your streams, your air quality, and your future. Support Sen. Snow's and Rep. Harrison's quality pieces of legislation now without delay, and give us a chance so that we can provide the fuel transition North Carolina has envisioned and so badly needs.
Director of Operations
Smoky Mountain Biofuels
We at Smoky Mountain Biofuels are pleased to see the initial acceptance of Senate Bills 1272 and 1277. Certainly (SB 1272), an ASTM standard for biodiesel protects our state's consumers from inferior product, and establishes a benchmark for all North Carolina biodiesel providers wishing to tap the proposed "Biodiesel Incentive Fund." In addition, the logic of Senate Bill 1277 covers North Carolina diesel fleets through manufacturer's warranties that their vehicles shall safely run biodiesel blends such as B20. These bills are an excellent start to a greater acceptance of statewide biodiesel usage.
Momentum must start somewhere, and we are grateful for our state's progressive thinking to create the necessary standards to successfully embrace biodiesel. However, I cannot stress enough that these standards must be followed with meaningful incentives to aid an industry truly in crisis based on recent IRS rulings, and under attack from South Carolina biodiesel produced using a slew of state incentives.
In an earlier statement, I mentioned the recent IRS ruling that provides our federal Volumetric Excise Tax Credit ($1.00/gallon using virgin oils) to "Big Oil" mainstays such as ConocoPhillips. The shameful ruling allows large refineries to blend virgin oils and animal proteins directly into their crude refining stream. The result is a product termed "renewable diesel," which does not have to pass ASTM standards before reaching the end user. Furthermore, refineries do not have to bear the additional infrastructure cost of traditional biodiesel refining equipment to integrate biodiesel into their product mix. This stifles both traditional financing and venture capital avenues for securing a future for existing biodiesel plants. We are praying for the reversal of this ruling, or biodiesel defined by ASTM and endorsed by your Senate Bill 1272 will be replaced in the short term by "renewable diesel," as the American consumer does not understand the difference at this time. The richest companies in the world, operating in some of the most instable places on our planet, will be even further subsidized by the American taxpayer. All this, and nothing to bolster jobs and keep dollars at home.
Concerning our neighbors to the south, South Carolina has passed excellent legislation favoring the development of biodiesel refineries. They boast the largest refinery in the south at this time (Carolina Polymer), and their incentives allow both retailers and producers to benefit from increased biodiesel production. Most of our state's "Biodiesel Producers" are purchasing their biodiesel from South Carolina, since it can be purchased cheaper there than made here. Our proposed "North Carolina Biodiesel Fund" would truly equal the playing field and encourage more statewide production of biodiesel. By creating the incentive fund, North Carolina is poised to meet the anticipated mandates for state vehicles to run B20 or greater, all at a cost (untaxed) equal to or less than the wholesale rack prices from Spartanburg, SC. Consumers and government fleets benefit from the well priced biodiesel that negates South Carolina's lesser excise taxes. Truckers are encouraged to fuel up with B20 in North Carolina when travelling through our state, not waiting to get to South Carolina, Tennessee, or Georgia to take advantage of their cheaper fuel, thanks to their excise tax rate. There is no reason for truckers to fuel when passing through North Carolina, and this guarantees us less dollars spent at retail while increasing the harmful emissions and particulates associated with petroleum diesel. This scenario will never change unless you target diesel, the fuel that moves the trucking transportation sector. The only environmental way to do so is to endorse biodiesel, which would then lead to favoring "state produced" biodiesel to reap the windfalls of jobs and INCREASED STATE EXCISE TAX COLLECTIONS. That's right, a biodiesel incentive fund would actually INCREASE North Carolina Department of Revenue collections by encouraging the largest consumers (18 wheelers) to fuel in state, rather than waiting to arrive in any one of our neighboring states.
The above logic must override legislator fear of decreased road tax collections, and serves our residents over the long term both in air quality and ample money for our impressive road system. This logic also supports House Rep. Pricey Harrison's legislation to negate the state tax on North Carolina biodiesel production, since the overwhelming portion of B20 is still petroleum diesel. The diesel portion still owes taxes at the prevailing state tax rate, with the benefits unique to biodiesel. The "Biodiesel Incentive Fund" in conjunction with Rep. Harrison's "reduction of the state excise tax" will undoubtedly make North Carolina the east coast's leader in biodiesel production. Both pieces of legislation will ensure the North Carolina biodiesel industry's success at a time when our long term viability is threatened by both "Big Oil" and reluctance by state legislators to fully embrace our state's "Strategic Plan" for biofuels leadership.
I will end this plea from one of your own biodiesel producers with facts gained from the latest issue of "Field and Stream" magazine (May 2007). The facts relate to the extraordinary challenges posed by global warming, and reveal a 90% degree of certainty that human-generated greenhouse gases account for most of the global temperature rise seen over the last fifty years. Our state has a proud heritage of outdoorsmanship, and we cherish our waters, forests, and farmland for the bounty they deliver yearly. The most recent "Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" (IPCC) report from February 2007 shows that a 3.6 degree increase in global temperatures over the next century would cause massive species extinctions and melting of ice sheets. In addition, stream habitat in the Rocky Mountains would suffer an approximately 50% reduction of trout with an air temperature increase of 4.8 degrees. Global warming would furthermore lessen duck populations throughout the Midwest by up to 69%. The hunting season of the Arctic's Inuit people has already been reduced by 50% thanks to global warming.
Finally, over 70% of sportsmen (National Wildlife Federation poll) feel global warming is a threat to fish and wildlife. Please keep in mind that the effects of global warming are most noticeable at the poles, and will work their way toward the middle as we approach this "critical mass" of greenhouse gases. We are well underway, and it is beyond a legislators "civic duty" to DO SOMETHING NOW to encourage alternatives to the status quo. Understand that we are only a temporary bandage to the aforementioned problems, and we greatly need your assistance to ensure our viability. We can deliver immediate gains rather than banking on the next "holy grail" of transportation (i.e. hydrogen), and we can deliver these gains with your assistance. Please value your streams, your air quality, and your future. Support Sen. Snow's and Rep. Harrison's quality pieces of legislation now without delay, and give us a chance so that we can provide the fuel transition North Carolina has envisioned and so badly needs.
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