Post wipe out

Where's Rainer

Rainer is still doing grueling hours and standing by his guns to craft a deal that allows him to shepard his new technology to the market. So far he's gotten lots of interest but not lots of money.
What he's got is great the technology does 2 different things:

1) He can seperate FFA's from oil
2) He can convert the FFA's and the oil into ASTM spec hydro carbons including gasoline, diesel, kerosene all with nearly 0 impurities

It's a no waste process that requires no chemical additives and very little energy.

That's where Rainer is.

Increase protections for threatened polar bears

send a message to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supporting increased protections for polar bears.

The deadline for public comments is Monday, April 9th -- please don't delay!

GreenFuel Technologies Corp. Signs Agreement to License Its Emissions-to-Biofuels™ Technology in South Africa

Global Renewable Energy Efficiency Network will utilize GreenFuel's
proprietary algae
bioreaction process as an integral component of its biodiesel strategy
in South Africa
Cambridge, Massachusetts (November 15 2007) – ca

Torrent Flux XSS vulnerability

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detail&atid=698093&aid=1600227&group_id=123961
Category: Application (File Transfer/Sharing) > TorrentFlux Vendors: torrentflux.com
TorrentFlux Missing Input Validation in HTTP User-Agent Permits Cross-Site Scripting Attacks
SecurityTracker Alert ID: 1017007
SecurityTracker URL: http://securitytracker.com/id?1017007
CVE Reference: GENERIC-MAP-NOMATCH (Links to External Site)
Date: Oct 6 2006
Impact: Disclosure of authentication information, Disclosure of user information, Execution of arbitrary code via network, Modification of user information
Exploit Included: Yes
Version(s): 2.1
Description: A vulnerability was reported in TorrentFlux. A remote user can conduct cross-site scripting attacks.

Victory Gardens were producing roughly 40 percent of America’s vegetables

Fifty Million Farmers http://www.energybulletin.net/22584.html
We can produce a large percentage of our food inside our cities. We do this repeadtedly during crisis. When we can bring back the victory garden we bring back our self reliance.

Was Kerry remark part of a deep game or just a lucky break?

As Vote Nears, Stances on War Set Off Sparks - New York Times:
Did John Kerry outplay Karl Rove?
Probably not but it reminds me of the scene where Martin Sheen is told the camera is of when it isn't and he makes a remark that everyone believes but you aren't allowed to say outloud. Really if you polled the entire world today, what percentage would think themselves lucky to be in Iraq right now?

Bush allows Chevron and other producers to cheat on petroleum royalties

U.S. Drops Bid Over Royalties From Chevron - New York Times:
Your heart has to go out to the oil companies with all of this uncerainty driving their profits through the roof and all of us paying through the nose to keep their business assets safe.
s

Worthington on Nutrition and Biodynamics

Worthington on Nutrition and Biodynamics:
Nutrition and Biodynamics: Evidence for the Nutritional Superiority of Organic Crops Virginia Worthington MS, ScD, CN

Climate Choices in the Northeast: Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment

Climate Choices in the Northeast: Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment:

CNN.com - Alaskan storm cracks iceberg in Antarctica, study says - Oct 2, 2006

CNN.com - Alaskan storm cracks iceberg in Antarctica, study says - Oct 2, 2006: "Alaskan storm cracks iceberg in Antarctica, study says"

Join LCV: Demand New Energy Now! Sign The Petition to Congress

Take Action: Demand New Energy Now! Sign The Petition to Congress: "Escalate the Peace. Demand Better Energy Now!"

Amnesty International: The America I Believe In

Amnesty International: The America I Believe In: "President Bush and House and Senate leaders made a deal that would redefine rape and sexual abuse to exclude acts currently considered abusive ... Furthermore, the new bill would make prosecution for rape and sexual assault difficult to impossible"

biodiesel from olive oil

News Briefs: "$1.5 million to fund projects that range including the feasibility of producing biodiesel from olive oil"

Can someone please exlain this one to me? Why would you make biodiesel worth less than $1/liter out of oilive oil which seels for over 4 times that? Is there some dirt cheap supply of olive oil I'm unaware of?

The secret terrorist don't want you to know

Crypto-Gram: September 15, 2006: "Another thought experiment: Imagine for a moment that the British government arrested the 23 suspects without fanfare. Imagine that the TSA and its European counterparts didn't engage in pointless airline security measures like banning liquids. And imagine that the press didn't write about it endlessly, and that the politicians didn't use the event to remind us all how scared we should be. If we'd reacted that way, then the terrorists would have truly failed."

Earthrace biodiesel powered 80 ft trimaran in the bay

We got to go for a short ride sitting in the back between the air intake wings and then the boys went forward to retrieve Caelan's jacket that he had left in the navigators chair. Next thing I know I see thier heads sticking up out of the forward port which is about 20 ft from the tip of the bow.
When we were done I asked them if it was fun. They said it was better than hamburgers and french fries at a restaurant which is about the pinnacle of thier existence!

www.earthrace.net

Minimum Production Volumes

Something I wrote quite a while ago...

Actually I think a small plant can be profitable closer to 100K
gallons/year. I was recently contacted by Footprint Recycling in Arcata
who are producing less than that and have been in business for 3 years.

There are several things that change when you run a really small
business (small business are $10,000,000 - $50,000,000 according to
government classifications).

1) A really small business can be in the oil pickup business which
reduces some artificial and some real costs in having to buy yellow
grease on the open market.
2) A really small business can sell to small off road buyers who don't
get great discounts from really big fuel suppliers but still are great
customers for really small businesses.
3) A really small business doesn't have to go into the whole NBB thing.
They can just sell a diesel fuel additive which informed customers seem
to be pretty happy with.

Kenneth Kron
Bay Area Biofuel
www.organicpower.us

getting started on biodiesel

Great email by Kari Lemons

If you don't know diesels find one in good condition to test dirve.

I followed Craigs list for 3 months just checking prices and getting a feel for what mileage and condition was going for what price. My budget was 5k give or take a little.
I had never driven a diesel before my first testdrive. This is something I would now do first before ever testdriving a car. Drive a diesel, know what one that is in good working order feels like to drive. I had no Idea what a good ride was, how much shaking or car rattle was good or bad. If you are going to look at MB's find a mechanic first and ask it they know of any for sale, that they have worked on.

The problem I ran across is that the cars on craigslist were being sold to the first person who got there, and that in most cases asking to take a car for a diagnostic first was not possible, because there were 5 people wanting that car, no matter what shape it is in. I called on 5 cars before I actually got to one I could testdrive.

If the car's 20 years old and immaculate find out why.  Get the maintenance records!

 I was so frustrated with the process by that point i just wanted a car, and I got taken by a guy who lied to me, ended up he was a broker from Texas who bought this car in an auction. The body was immaculate, he had the car steamed cleaned probly the morning he listed it so that all the leaks it had wouldnt show while he was trying to show it. I paid probly 2k too much and have put in 1100 in fixing it so oil and hydrolic fluid dont shoot everywhere. All four motormounts (what attaches engine to car frame) were sheared and the transmission was shaking the engine all over.

Another place to look is Yahoo auto, Auto trader, Dealer websites in your area. Some of the little car dealers that are on main drags in towns. These places give you the chance to take a car to get a diagnostic first not alot of competition, slower pace transaction.



MP$ not just MPG.

Another consideration is MPG vs fuel cost.  My MB wagon gets about 32MPG on 99.9% biodiesel. I have been buying from Western States in San Jose. I get fuel once a month. I fill up my tank and fill carboys up to last me a month. Last time I was there I paid $44 for one months fuel. My partner drives the same amount as me in a petro toyota camery. She gets 25MPG and has to fill about 2 times a month and spends $60 on petro. She paid last month about $2.35gal and I paid $3.31gal. I still spend less even though i pay a higher price per gallon.
For comparison sake I was in a 2000 Jetta TDI wagon on a trip to San Diego. The driver had filled up in Berkeley at the oasis, came by here to pick me up in Mountain View, we drove to scotts Valley to pickup another person, then drove down hwy1 to cut over to 101. We were getting 53MPG on 100% biodiesel. We got all the way to San Diego county limits and the fuel light went on, I go "oh do we need to stop" she goes no I got 2 gallons left that's another 100 miles we'll make it. We made it all the way there on 1 tank I was floored. I am so wishing I knew this was possible when I was looking, I would have gotten one of these if I could have.
I have considered taking the loss on my MB and getting a TDI especially on those very cold nights and no heater. Im still thinking about it. 

SPAM laundering, how leads from spam pump the economy

Aegis Lending Corporation, American Home Equity Corporation, Quicken Loans, Stateside Mortgage, Northstart Financial, and National Fidelity Funding are calling people who respond to mortgage spam. You can bet this happens in many industries and it will only stop when business require that the leads they buy are legitimately generated.

read more | digg story

Out of College, Living in Urban Dorm

Sounds like a great idea. We definitely need more communal and less nuclear family space. Not only does the low cost allow more focus on humanism and less on capitalism. The open sharing space will create new social networks.

read more | digg story

Tracking the cost of war

Sure you've probably already seen this done but I don't think we're thinking about it enough

National Day of Action for an "Oil-Free" Congress

Move on is hosting a

National Day of Action for an "Oil-Free" Congress.
Use moveon's rally finder to find one near you.

Major Fire Erupts at Biodiesel Manufacturing Site

Salem-News.Com Major Fire Erupts at Biodiesel Manufacturing Site

The bad news is another biodiesel manufacturer had a major fire.
The good news is the fire dept. did correctly conclude that as it was actual biodiesel involved it is non-toxic and biodegradable. What often confuses saftey people is that petro diesel blended with boidiesel is still often called biodiesel (sometimes even petro blended with vegetable oil is).

Maybe we should call blends denatured biodiesel to clearup the confusion.

Note: Bay Area Biofuel also had a fire at our production facility some time ago an electric clothes dryer caught on fire.

Diesels are a real bargain

I've only said this a couple thousand times. The diesel engine is 30%-40% more efficient than an equivalent gasoline engine but not only that it's simpler. According to Edmonds the cost to drive for a the same model VW Jetta with a diesel rather than a gasoline engine is about $800 in fuel per year. $800 in fuel and one less reason to give money to people who want to kill us. I call that a bargain.

Oh yeah and an audi diesel won Le Mans this year
"Audi led every lap as the diesel cars, as expected, enjoyed
greater fuel economy but also proved quicker than their
petrol-powered rivals."

The New Fuel That Will Shape the Future

From (http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=43806)

If, hypothetically, all U.S. cars ran on 100 percent corn-based ethanol, and if one Ivy League professor's analysis is correct, then 97 percent of the entire country's land area -- including real estate now occupied by cities -- would be needed to grow corn.

Why are we stuck on corn again?

Look at the UNH study.
we found that to replace all transportation fuels in the US, we would need 140.8 billion gallons of biodiesel, or roughly 19 quads (one quad is roughly 7.5 billion gallons of biodiesel).

If you look at how much solar energy we recieve at the surface of the earth.

According to Tim Murphy physics professor at UCSD, we currently receive 500 times as much energy as we consume. (page 16)

We don't need 97% of the surface to make a massive dent in our energy consumption. When california institued rolling blackouts during the last energy crisis, energy consumption droped by 30% almost over night.

It seems simple: reduce unnecessary consuption or support the war (and spend 250 million dollars/day, let's see that's about 10 million gallons of fuel/day!).

http://agonist.org/sean_paul_kelley/20060610/more_new_york_times_suckage

Our military is in a war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan with an
enemy who is fueled by our gasoline purchases. So we are financing
both sides in the war on terror.

What 14 year olds think about Wind Mills- Yeah!

This came from RE Vermont message board by
one of its' members. If you don't know who Brian Dubie is, he is Republican
Governor Jim Douglas' side kick. This is what Richard Watts had to say...

Brian Dubie spoke at the Hinesburg Middle School on Friday to
the 7th and 8th grade class. One issue he raised was how big and
distracting visually large wind machines are (according to my
daughter, age 14). After he had completed explaining how big they
are and unattractive he asked for a show of hands of how many
kids would like to see one on a hill surrounding Hinesburg...

All of the kids raised their hands!

House Republicans just voted to slash funding for NPR and PBS this year

Save NPR and PBS (again)

House Republicans just voted to slash funding for NPR and PBS this
year--and eliminate funding altogether in two years.

MoveOn.org Civic Action: Save NPR and PBS (again)

Want to come to my town hall meeting?

Following the lead of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Geoge Bush and I'm sure it's going to be adopted by the rest of the republican party you have just joined my town hall meeting, feel free to leave a supportive comment here on my blog, if you disagree feel free to leave that also I'll just delete it. If you'd like to have an open dialog where dissent is allowed please go have your own town hall meeting, that may be how they did them in the past but that's not how we do them anymore.

You may feel that democracy is not supposed to be neat it's supposed to be messy.

You may think a Town Hall is a structure that is used by the entire community and a Town Hall meeting means everyone is invited to present their views.

Sorry that doesn't generate the kind of press we apparently need because when Arnold or George invite a select group of people to sit down and agree with them the press calls it a "Town Hall Meeting". Apparently it is too difficult to call them an "Arnolds Town Hall Meeting" or a "Georges Town Hall Meeting"

Do you think todays politicians are becoming much to insulated from the people they are supposed to be serving? Well I'll have a town hall meeting about that where we will decide to change the dictionary entry for public service, it'll say "see self service".

Any questions?

best method of disposing of used residential cooking oil

We get this question all the time. The best thing to do is talk to your favorite restaurant about dumping it in their used cooking oil barrel. While you're at it ask them if they have their used oil picked up by a biodieseler, it's the perfect ice breaker and eventually they will ask you for more information about biofuel.

If they don't, then ask them if they know about all of the environmental benefits of biodiesel and that it wont cost them any more to use a service that protects the environment, increases our domestic energy supply and reduces the cost of food by supporting farmers?

If they are interested refer them to us or your favorite biodiesel producer. If you go through all of that and they aren't interested maybe they shouldn't be your favorite restaurant.

Kenneth Kron
Founder Bay Area Biofuel