>From: "National Biodiesel Board" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Biodiesel Bulletin >Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 19:02:51 -0600 > >BIODIESEL BULLETIN >A Monthly Newsletter of the >National Biodiesel Board >February 3, 2003 > > >HEADLINES: >BIODIESEL BEATS THE COLD >NBB SEEKS COLD WEATHER TESTIMONIAL >BIODIESEL RESEARCH & BRAINSTORMING WORKSHOP BIG SUCCESS >BIODIESEL FUELS OLYMPIA TRANSIT FLEET >BIODIESEL ACTIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURES >BIOENERGY PROGRAM FUNDING CHANGES >WASHINGTON UPDATE >CENEX CONTINUES BIODIESEL GROWTH THROUGHOUT MIDWEST > > >BIODIESEL BEATS THE COLD >This winter, countless biodiesel users have proven that the alternative fuel >performs well in even the most frigid of conditions, debunking the myth that >B20 gels too easily in cold weather. From vehicles at the Canadian border >to Colorado ski towns to airport snowplows, biodiesel is proving its >reliability even when the temperature plummets. > >ãMany people arenât aware that cold flow improvers are already in most >diesel during the winter,ä said Kelly Strebig, a research engineer for the >University of Minnesota Center for Diesel Research at Minneapolis. ãThe >same procedures and products that keep diesel from gelling are typically >good for biodiesel too. Many of these cold-flow improvers only cost ² cent >to 1 ¸ cents per gallon, and you only need them during the few coldest >months of the year.ä > >Strebig and other researchers have verified that B2, a blend of two percent >biodiesel and 98 percent petroleum diesel has no measurable difference in >cold flow properties than standard diesel. He says higher blends of >biodiesel, such as B20, can be treated with standard flow-improvers÷the same >as most diesel fuel is treated in cold weather. The Center for Diesel >Research also just completed studies of new additives that lowered the gel >point of B20 to 50 degrees below zero. > >Known as the ãIcebox of the Nationä, International Falls, Minnesota is a >good place to test the cold-weather reliability of any fuel. International >Falls is home to Voyageurs National Park, which has used B20 for three years >and has experienced no problems even though the B20 is stored in unheated >above-ground tanks. Even in extreme cold, vehicles running on B20 have >started well with only a common fuel block and fuel filter heater, according >to the parkâs district supervisor William Carlson. > >ãEven when temperatures dropped to 28 degrees below zero, B20-powered >vehicles started smoothly in the morning and ran all day at subzero >temperatures,ä he said. > >Visit the home page at www.biodiesel.org to learn more about how B20 has >worked just as reliably as petroleum diesel during severe cold spells >nationwide. > > >NBB SEEKS COLD WEATHER TESTIMONIAL >Do you have experience using biodiesel in cold weather? NBB would like to >hear YOUR favorite cold weather story! Any time during the next week, go to >www.biodiesel.org and follow the easy directions. If you donât visit the >home page in time, you can still tell us your story at >http://biodiesel.grassroots.com/Cold_Weather_Story. >Selected stories may be featured on our Web site. > > >BIODIESEL RESEARCH & BRAINSTORMING WORKSHOP BIG SUCCESS >Dozens of technical experts presented the latest in biodiesel research and >technical development during the Biodiesel Research & Brainstorming Workshop >January 29 ö 30 in New Orleans. More than 200 people attended the technical >workshop, which was open to the public for the first time this year. >Presenters included scientists, government officials and engine >manufacturers among others. Several biodiesel users also spoke about their >positive experience with the fuel, including representatives from the U.S. >Military. > >ãThe workshop provided an excellent forum for the exchange of technical >information in the biodiesel world,ä said Steve Howell, technical director >for the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). ãI was extremely impressed with the >content of the presentations, the strong interaction with audience >participation and the wide variety of attendees.ä > >Part of the purpose of the workshop is to develop a list of technical >priorities for the biodiesel industry. The group identified working with >diesel engine manufacturers on a variety of topics as a top priority, as >well as broad-based sharing of technical information within the biodiesel >community. The results will be posted on the NBB web site at >www.biodiesel.org within the next several weeks. > >Based on strong response, plans are already underway for next yearâs >workshop, which may be expanded to include specific sessions covering >regulatory, marketing and other topics as well. > >The headline sponsors for the meeting were NBB, the U.S. Department of >Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy. Gold level industrial >sponsors were Octel Starreon and Waterford Petroleum. At the silver level >were Lubrizol, P&G Chemicals and West Central Soy. Bronze sponsors were >ADM, Biodiesel Industries, Biox Corporation, Crown Iron Works Company, >Griffin Industries, MG Engineering, Renewable Products Development Labs >Inc., Sigma-Aldrich, Superior Process Technologies, Williams Laboratory >Services and World Energy. > >For more information about the workshop, please see the NBB web site at >www.biodiesel.org. > > >BIODIESEL FUELS OLYMPIA TRANSIT FLEET >The public transportation agency in the Pudget Sound area of Washington has >begun using B20 in its fleet of 67 buses. Intercity Transit tested use of >biodiesel on several of its buses in 2002 and found no operational >difficulties. Because biodiesel acts as a fuel lubricant, the agencyâs >Maintenance Director Randy Winders expects that it may extend the life of >bus engine components. Beyond the environmental benefits of biodiesel, >Intercity Transit was attracted to using B20 because it can be used in any >conventional diesel engine without modification and stored safely anywhere >that petroleum diesel fuel is stored. > >Particulate levels, regulated under the federal Clean Air Act, are high in >the Puget Sound region. > >ãIntercity Transitâs voluntary shift to biodiesel use is being done to >address the new federal emphasis on reducing particulate levels in our > area,ä said Lacey Mayor and Intercity Transit Authority Vice Chair Graeme >Sackrison. ãIn the long run, this effort will benefit everyone.ä > >Regional use of biodiesel has grown to more than 500,000 gallons annually, >according to Linda Graham, Director of the Puget Sound Clean Cities >Coalition. The Coalition is a collaboration of public and private entities >working to increase the use of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and >natural gas, for use in motor vehicles. > >ãHaving a transit district in our region step forward to use of biodiesel >sets an example for others and shows leadership in expanding the use of >alternative fuels in the region,ä she said. ãThe commitment to alternative >fuels addresses the substantial air quality and energy security concerns >associated with the continued use of traditional petroleum fuels.ä > > >BIODIESEL ACTIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURES >As new legislative sessions begin, NBB is tracking 20 pieces of state >legislation in eleven states that directly address biodiesel. The bills >include two mandates; six state excise tax exemptions; three producer tax >credits; three usage promotion; and six miscellaneous. A memo addressing >these bills is available to NBB members on the state regulatory page of the >NBB ãmembers onlyä site. > >North Dakota has proposed a mandate similar to the Minnesota legislation >passed last year. It would require B2 beginning in 2007 if biodiesel plants >in the state have a production capacity of five million gallons, and if >federal law reduces the cost of B2 by at least 2 cents, making the bill >essentially cost neutral. It does not have a Îdate certainâ clause enabling >the legislation if the other conditions are not met. > >South Dakota just this week also introduced a biodiesel mandate. It >contains no conditions precedent, and simply states that all diesel fuel >sold in South Dakota will be at least B2 beginning 2005. Beginning in 2007, >it will be at least B5. > > >BIOENERGY PROGRAM FUNDING CHANGES >Last week the U.S. Senate approved funding for Fiscal Year '03, and included >in the spending package is funding for the CCC Bioenergy Program. The >program reimburses biofuels producers part of the cost of commodities used >in new production. In order to meet budget reduction goals, the program was >only two-thirds funded from '03 levels with the remaining one-third to come >from next fiscal year's budget. > >The Senate and House are currently meeting to resolve differences between >the two packages. The funding maze might be simplified during this process >since the House had fully funded the '03 program. > > >WASHINGTON UPDATE >As the 108th Congress begins its work on legislative priorities, the >biodiesel industry continues to seek passage of a tax incentive to encourage >the use of the fuel. A new session of Congress means the legislative >process must start over for all issues and legislative priorities are being >determined. During the Presidentâs State of Union address this week, he >outlined his major priorities for the year. As expected, dealing with the >economy and the crisis in Iraq topped the list. However, the President also >mentioned his support for energy and environmental measures. Congress may >use this announcement to advance the Presidentâs Clear Skies initiative >aimed at reducing emissions. Opportunities for biodiesel are uncertain in >the Clear Skies proposal but the industry will be looking for ways to >advance fuel use. > >The House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to soon began action on an >energy package that will be very similar to the version passed by the House >of Representatives last year. The Senateâs development of legislation will >be more deliberate with a number of hearings and the redrafting of a bill. >While the House leadership hopes to have an energy measure on the floor by >late spring or summer, the Senate has not announced a schedule for >consideration. > >With energy legislation on an uncertain track, other possible vehicles for >moving biodiesel tax legislation are being considered. One possibility is >the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century >(TEA-21). This comprehensive package includes all major transportation >programs and authorization of the Highway Trust Fund. > >While energy and transportation packages may offer opportunities for >consideration of biodiesel tax legislation, the industry is also working >with supporters on Capitol Hill to identify other legislative vehicles. >Other possible revenue measures that may receive priority in the short term >include an economic stimulus package, a bill to extend expiring tax >provisions or an omnibus revenue bill. > >Biodiesel tax legislation has not been introduced yet but sponsors are >expected to do so in the very near future. > > >CENEX CONTINUES BIODIESEL GROWTH THROUGHOUT MIDWEST >In an effort to meet the growing demand for biodiesel blends in the Midwest, >Cenex has introduced a B2 product called Ruby Fieldmaster B2ú Premium Diesel >Fuel. > >ãInterest and demand for biodiesel blends continue to grow as producers and >consumers learn more about the many benefits of these products,ä said Darin >Hunhoff, brand, products and marketing manager for Cenex refined fuels. >ãProducers are especially interested in using products that are derived from >the crops they grow, such as soy-based biodiesel.ä > >Hunhoff noted that Cenex is pleased to offer the benefits of a biodiesel >blend in addition to the proven performance of Ruby Fieldmaster. >Cenex-branded distributors can access bulk biodiesel at more than 20 >facilities in its soy biodiesel distribution network in nine key states ÷ >Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North >Dakota and South Dakota. Several additional sites are in the development >stages. > >Cenex (www.cenex.com), a division of CHS Cooperatives, is a farmer-owned >petroleum entity. It meets the energy needs of producer-owners, homeowners, >commercial and industrial businesses, and communities through local >cooperatives and independent retailers.
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