How and Why I got involved with Biodiesel
With the Iraq War at hand, the 2004 elections caused me to really dig into issues concerning politics, policy, and especially the environment. The re-election of the current Administration means four more years of similar governmental policies. For example, Global Warming is considered a huge threat (clearly stated even by this administration), yet we reject the Kyoto Protocol. I won't go into all the issues here.
Suffice to say, as a concerned citizen I realize it is time to become more actively involved in making the world a better place. My driving habits are the first place to start...replacing the SUV with a smaller vehicle.
I first explored the hybrid cars (Prius, Civic Hybrid, Insight, etc). After countless hours on several websites, it became clear that there was a better solution than any current hybrid vehicle.
There are already plenty of sites analyzing the benefits of Biodiesel powered vehicles, so I won't attempt this... here are a few:
http://www.grassolean.com/?textFile=emissions
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_future.html
http://www.biodieselnow.com/
www.biodiesel.org (lots of
technical papers to download as well)
More technical:
http://www.biodiesel.co.uk/press_release/submission_for_biofuels_3.htm
And here is the EPA fuel economy website, if interested. Note
that the VW TDI diesel cars do not rate very high for GHG
(Greenhouse Gas Emissions)...BECAUSE THEY DON'T USE BIODIESEL IN THE
ANALYSIS. Yes, of course emissions are not so good with 'petro-diesel'!
Take this with a grain of salt.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs.shtml
In the Seattle area, I will admit using Biodiesel is much easier to use than in many other parts of the country. Availability is the biggest stumbling block still. In some other areas (even Eastern Washington) I may have had second thoughts about using Biodiesel due to limited availability. But here in the Puget Sound we are rapidly building an infrastructure. It's getting cheaper (as of 4/2005). All along the West Coast there are now pumps. See websites below for availability:
http://afdcmap.nrel.gov/locator/
http://forums.biodieselnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=638
http://www.fuelwerks.com/
http://www.turbofroggy.com/
(more convenient for me)
Running Biodiesel may be a little more expensive than petroleum
fuels, but more fun to drive than a Toyota Prius and NO fossil fuel
use if you run B100.
I feel good knowing I am helping to build up an industry that can
make a massive difference in greenhouse gas emissions, and
reduce our dependency on foreign oil without drilling in pristine
wilderness areas.
Want to get involved and live in the Puget Sound? I am an active
participant in the NW Biodiesel Network organization:
http://www.nwbiodiesel.org/
I have run B100 in the car since I got it in mid-March, 2005.
That's right, NO fossil fuel. Runs GREAT. I have to watch my speed,
as these cars are very smooth and like to 'go'.
I have confirmed it will easily go 600 miles per tank of fuel, and
am getting about 43 mpg.
(pics in work)