Friends, As you know, the California Biodiesel Alliance introduced SB 1574 to protect California’s right to use biodiesel. We were forced to take many last-minute amendments to the bill in the legislative process, and once the dust settled, it became clear that the bill as amended would do more harm to the biodiesel industry than good. For example, the bill only provided partial protection to USTs currently storing biodiesel and prohibited converting more USTs to biodiesel and any new USTs for biodiesel, in effect banning all new biodiesel tanks in California. That is obviously an unacceptable “solution.”
As a result, CBA requested that the Governor veto the bill and direct the state’s regulatory agencies to work toward a better solution for biodiesel. We are happy to report success, which you can learn about in detail at
http://gov.ca.gov/pdf/press/SB1574_Florez_Veto_Message.pdf.
Our focus now is on working closely with the Governor’s staff and key players, including Cal EPA, Water Board, and ARB. These efforts to find a solution to the UST issue will be critical to the future of biodiesel in California and will help set standards for biodiesel use nationwide.
CBA is forming a Biodiesel UST Users Working Group. We will be following up with those of you who have been threatened by, or suffered directly from, the inappropriate shutting down of biodiesel in USTs to urge your participation.
Because of your extremely responsive and time-sensitive involvement in this issue in recent months, we have introduced Sacramento to a strong statewide network of support for biodiesel from industry, municipalities, and consumers.
Thank you so much, and we look forward to working with you on this urgent issue going forward!
Sincerely,Celia DuBose forEric Bowen, ChairmanCalifornia Biodiesel Alliance
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tax Credit Extended and Tax Credit for Used Cooking Oil Biodiesel Increased to $1.00
A big victory for the biodiesel industry and sustainable biodiesel in particular.
The tax extensions now last through Dec 31, 2009.
We have achieved equity for yellow grease with soy and other biodiesel feedstocks at $1/gallon.
Splash and dash tax loophole for biodiesel closed.
Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen.
The tax extensions now last through Dec 31, 2009.
We have achieved equity for yellow grease with soy and other biodiesel feedstocks at $1/gallon.
Splash and dash tax loophole for biodiesel closed.
Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension
The biodiesel tax credit is set to expire 12/31/08. Without an extension, the biodiesel industry will be dealt another devestating blow. Congress needs to extend the credit ASAP. Here is CBA's letter to the House stressing the importance of passing an extension before the end of the year.
Testimony of Eric M. Bowen
Chairman of the California Biodiesel Alliance
Submitted to the U.S. House Committee on Small Business
September 12, 2008
Chairwoman Velazquez, Ranking Member Chabot and Members of the Committee, I thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony today on behalf of the California Biodiesel Alliance (CBA) about the importance of the biodiesel tax incentive to the many small businesses that comprise the U.S. biofuels industry.
About the CBA: The California Biodiesel Alliance (CBA) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting biodiesel in California. CBA was founded in 2006 by California biodiesel pioneers and industry leaders and represents the biodiesel industry in government relations in California and Washington, D.C. We believe that biodiesel can be a significant contributor to improving local air quality, reducing California’s dependence on foreign oil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Economic & Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel to California: The economic impact to California from biodiesel development can be substantial. California is the largest state with a population of 36.6 million (12.2% of US population) and home to one of the world’s largest economies with a Gross State Product of >$1.5 trillion. California is also the largest consumer of fuel in the United States, using over 10 percent of the nation’s fuel. California is the home to 13 biodiesel plants that are either in operation or under construction. The direct, indirect, and induced increase in annual economic activity to California from a thriving biodiesel industry would be significant.
In 2007 alone, the U.S. biodiesel industry contributed over $4.1 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supported 21,803 jobs. In addition, economic modeling suggests that a vibrant biodiesel industry will positively impact the U.S. economy in multiple ways. America’s biodiesel industry will add $26 billion to the U.S. economy between 2007 and 2012, assuming biodiesel growth reaches 1 billion gallons of annual production by 2012. Biodiesel production will create a projected 38,856 new jobs in all sectors of the economy and additional tax revenues from biodiesel production will more than pay for the federal tax incentives provided to the industry. Equally as important, it will keep billions of dollars in America that would otherwise be spent on foreign oil. As such, there is a compelling public policy argument to be made to justify increased biodiesel production and use in U.S. (and California), and the biodiesel tax incentive is an integral part of a sound public policy framework that will allow biodiesel to play a constructive role as part of the nation’s overall energy strategy.
California Biodiesel Market: In California, demand for petroleum based transportation fuels exceeds 20 billion gallons/year. Diesel demand accounts for roughly 20% of this amount, or 4 billion gallons/year. According to the California Energy Commission, demand for diesel in California is expected to increase at a rate of 2.8% annually, outpacing the growth in demand for gasoline at 0.7%/year. According to the Energy Information Administration, transportation fuels in California account for 73.5% of total petroleum consumption as compared to 62.9% nationally. State-wide adoption of a 5% blend of biodiesel (B5), the ASTM D 975 petroleum diesel equivalent, California could support a market of over 200 million gallons/year today.
Small Business Impact: Nationally, the biodiesel tax incentive has helped increase the production and use of biodiesel from 25 million gallons in 2004 to 500 million gallons in 2007. It has established the industry as we know it, providing the stability necessary for new research and development into the next generation of fuels and fuel sources. If the biodiesel tax incentive was to lapse, biodiesel production in California would halt and the development of new production and distribution facilities would be curtailed or lost. This would have a devastating impact on the numerous small businesses that comprise all facets of the industry and jeopardize their long-term viability. Additionally, it would send negative signals to the private investment community that continues to play a crucial role in supporting the small businesses that comprise California’s biodiesel industry. This would severely disrupt the development of the State’s biodiesel industry which, in turn, would impede the State’s ability to comply with its own aggressive regulatory goals. If California’s fledgling biodiesel industry is hampered by a lapse in the tax incentive it would cripple the substantial in-state development activities and creating ripple effect that will be felt across the entire U.S. and renewable fuels industry.
Environmental Impacts: California, a proven leader in the advancement of environmental regulations that become standard practice throughout the U.S., is currently developing their Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) which will achieve significant carbon and GHG emission reductions. Biodiesel is expected to play an integral role in achieving these goals but the economic fallout from a lapse in the tax credit will have a direct effect on California’s ability to meet its own environmental targets.
In California, 42% of the GHG emissions are from transportation fuels and petroleum based diesel is the leading cause of emissions related respiratory illnesses. Biodiesel provides a simple and highly effective solution to these problems. The adoption of biodiesel as an alternative fuel requires minimal efforts and changes in existing infrastructure.
Biodiesel is an environmentally safe fuel, and is the most viable transportation fuel when measuring its carbon footprint, life cycle and energy balance. The USDA/DoE lifecycle study shows a 78% reduction in lifecycle CO2 for B100. The use of 200 million gallons of biodiesel in California would reduce current life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by 3.2 billion pounds, the equivalent of removing 280,000 passenger vehicles from our roads.
Biodiesel’s emissions significantly outperform petroleum based diesel. Research conducted in the U.S. shows biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of all target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds, as compared to petroleum diesel exhaust. These compounds have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds.
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to voluntarily perform EPA Tier I and Tier II testing to quantify emission characteristics and health effects. That study found that B20 (20% biodiesel blended with 80% petroleum diesel) provided significant reductions in the total hydrocarbons; carbon monoxide; and total particulate matter. Typically, emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Research also documents the fact that the ozone forming potential of the hydrocarbon emissions of pure biodiesel is nearly 50% less than that of petroleum fuel. Pure biodiesel typically does not contain sulfur and therefore reduces sulfur dioxide exhaust from diesel engines to virtually zero.
Energy Strategy: Together, biodiesel & California are critical to any responsible energy strategy that seeks to reduce dependence on foreign petroleum. Through the increased production and use of renewable transportation fuels such as biodiesel, California could have a significant role in the reduction of the United State’s dependency on foreign oil. California serves as the major petroleum import hub on the West Coast supplying much of the Western U.S. via Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon. California is home to 21 petroleum refineries that account for roughly 12% of U.S. refining capacity, exceeding 2 billion barrels/day, importing 36% of its refining capacity from foreign sources.
The goal of California AB 1007 (State Alternative Fuels Plan) is to reduce petroleum consumption and GHG emissions through the increased use and in-state production of biofuels. California can readily produce significant volumes of biodiesel from waste sources such as recycled cooking oils (yellow & brown grease), animal fats, and other biomass-based waste sources via traditional and developing technologies. Furthermore, the opportunity for agricultural development of dedicated energy crops such as Camelina, Jatropha, and Algae is very promising. These next generation energy crops also have numerous sustainable benefits – high oil yields, can be grown on marginal lands, require minimal inputs such as water and fertilizer, and do not compete with existing agricultural systems. With the use of B5 (5% biodiesel blended with 95% petroleum diesel), the ASTM D 975 petroleum diesel equivalent, California could support a market of over 200 million gallons/year and displace more than 8 million barrels of foreign oil. In addition, biodiesel is an extremely efficient fuel that creates 3.5 units of energy for every unit of fuel that is required to produce the fuel. For these reasons, the use of biodiesel can greatly contribute to domestic energy security.
Failing to Extend the Tax Incentive Unjustly Penalizes California: A comprehensive and fair energy policy requires tax incentives that do not reward one area of the country while penalizing another. We applaud support for all biofuels, including incentives for ethanol, but respectfully point out that at this time, crops best suited for production of biofuels are also well suited to be grown in California. As you are aware, the federal Farm Bill that passed this session included tax incentives for ethanol, thus providing strong support for agriculture and the biofuels produced in the Midwest and Farm Belt region of our country. If the biodiesel tax credit is not extended, small businesses in California that comprise the State’s biodiesel industry will be placed in an unequal and unfair position relative to our fellow citizens to the North and East who can produce biofuels from more water-intensive crops such as corn and soybeans.
It is important to note that the CBA strongly advocates for an energy strategy that benefits the entire country, and not one particular region. We believe a balanced and fair energy policy should be ecology neutral and reward each region for its contribution to our domestic energy supply. Tax law should be even-handed, and provide incentives that benefit the ability to produce biofuels from all of our nation’s diverse ecologies. Federal policy also must be cognizant of a region’s energy needs and ability to deliver its “homegrown” fuel. Biodiesel can be produced on California’s marginal lands, and can be made readily available to consumers if the Congress provides the essential tax incentives necessary for its development.
Extension of the Biodiesel Tax Incentive Is A National Priority: The biodiesel tax incentive is set to expire on December 31, 2008. Expiration of the incentive would have a catastrophic impact on the U.S. biodiesel industry, and the CBA urges Congress to approve and the President to sign an extension of the incentive before the end of the year.
The biodiesel blenders excise tax is structured in a manner that helps make biodiesel price competitive with conventional diesel fuel. If the tax incentive is allowed to expire at the end of the year, the price of biodiesel will be significantly higher than petroleum diesel, thus significantly reducing demand and making it nearly impossible for biodiesel plants to produce fuel at a profit. Thus, it is safe to assume that if the biodiesel tax incentive lapses, biodiesel production in California and the U.S. will halt or at a minimum be severely curtailed, and the energy security, environmental, and job creation benefits that the nation realizes from biodiesel production will be lost.
I would note that both the Baucus/Reid and McConnell/Grassley energy and tax extenders packages that have been unveiled in the Senate contain similar biodiesel provisions as those contained in H.R. 6049. For the sake of the biodiesel industry and the sake of America’s need to achieve energy independence, the CBA urges Congress to extend the biodiesel tax incentive prior to adjournment. A lapse in the incentive will be a devastating setback to an industry that has the capacity to make a positive contribution in breaking our dependence on foreign oil.
Again, Chairwoman Velazquez, Ranking Member Chabot and Members of the Committee, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony, and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
/s/ Eric M. Bowen
Eric M. Bowen
Chairman, California Biodiesel Alliance
President & CEO Tellurian Biodiesel, Inc.
Testimony of Eric M. Bowen
Chairman of the California Biodiesel Alliance
Submitted to the U.S. House Committee on Small Business
September 12, 2008
Chairwoman Velazquez, Ranking Member Chabot and Members of the Committee, I thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony today on behalf of the California Biodiesel Alliance (CBA) about the importance of the biodiesel tax incentive to the many small businesses that comprise the U.S. biofuels industry.
About the CBA: The California Biodiesel Alliance (CBA) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting biodiesel in California. CBA was founded in 2006 by California biodiesel pioneers and industry leaders and represents the biodiesel industry in government relations in California and Washington, D.C. We believe that biodiesel can be a significant contributor to improving local air quality, reducing California’s dependence on foreign oil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Economic & Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel to California: The economic impact to California from biodiesel development can be substantial. California is the largest state with a population of 36.6 million (12.2% of US population) and home to one of the world’s largest economies with a Gross State Product of >$1.5 trillion. California is also the largest consumer of fuel in the United States, using over 10 percent of the nation’s fuel. California is the home to 13 biodiesel plants that are either in operation or under construction. The direct, indirect, and induced increase in annual economic activity to California from a thriving biodiesel industry would be significant.
In 2007 alone, the U.S. biodiesel industry contributed over $4.1 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supported 21,803 jobs. In addition, economic modeling suggests that a vibrant biodiesel industry will positively impact the U.S. economy in multiple ways. America’s biodiesel industry will add $26 billion to the U.S. economy between 2007 and 2012, assuming biodiesel growth reaches 1 billion gallons of annual production by 2012. Biodiesel production will create a projected 38,856 new jobs in all sectors of the economy and additional tax revenues from biodiesel production will more than pay for the federal tax incentives provided to the industry. Equally as important, it will keep billions of dollars in America that would otherwise be spent on foreign oil. As such, there is a compelling public policy argument to be made to justify increased biodiesel production and use in U.S. (and California), and the biodiesel tax incentive is an integral part of a sound public policy framework that will allow biodiesel to play a constructive role as part of the nation’s overall energy strategy.
California Biodiesel Market: In California, demand for petroleum based transportation fuels exceeds 20 billion gallons/year. Diesel demand accounts for roughly 20% of this amount, or 4 billion gallons/year. According to the California Energy Commission, demand for diesel in California is expected to increase at a rate of 2.8% annually, outpacing the growth in demand for gasoline at 0.7%/year. According to the Energy Information Administration, transportation fuels in California account for 73.5% of total petroleum consumption as compared to 62.9% nationally. State-wide adoption of a 5% blend of biodiesel (B5), the ASTM D 975 petroleum diesel equivalent, California could support a market of over 200 million gallons/year today.
Small Business Impact: Nationally, the biodiesel tax incentive has helped increase the production and use of biodiesel from 25 million gallons in 2004 to 500 million gallons in 2007. It has established the industry as we know it, providing the stability necessary for new research and development into the next generation of fuels and fuel sources. If the biodiesel tax incentive was to lapse, biodiesel production in California would halt and the development of new production and distribution facilities would be curtailed or lost. This would have a devastating impact on the numerous small businesses that comprise all facets of the industry and jeopardize their long-term viability. Additionally, it would send negative signals to the private investment community that continues to play a crucial role in supporting the small businesses that comprise California’s biodiesel industry. This would severely disrupt the development of the State’s biodiesel industry which, in turn, would impede the State’s ability to comply with its own aggressive regulatory goals. If California’s fledgling biodiesel industry is hampered by a lapse in the tax incentive it would cripple the substantial in-state development activities and creating ripple effect that will be felt across the entire U.S. and renewable fuels industry.
Environmental Impacts: California, a proven leader in the advancement of environmental regulations that become standard practice throughout the U.S., is currently developing their Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) which will achieve significant carbon and GHG emission reductions. Biodiesel is expected to play an integral role in achieving these goals but the economic fallout from a lapse in the tax credit will have a direct effect on California’s ability to meet its own environmental targets.
In California, 42% of the GHG emissions are from transportation fuels and petroleum based diesel is the leading cause of emissions related respiratory illnesses. Biodiesel provides a simple and highly effective solution to these problems. The adoption of biodiesel as an alternative fuel requires minimal efforts and changes in existing infrastructure.
Biodiesel is an environmentally safe fuel, and is the most viable transportation fuel when measuring its carbon footprint, life cycle and energy balance. The USDA/DoE lifecycle study shows a 78% reduction in lifecycle CO2 for B100. The use of 200 million gallons of biodiesel in California would reduce current life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by 3.2 billion pounds, the equivalent of removing 280,000 passenger vehicles from our roads.
Biodiesel’s emissions significantly outperform petroleum based diesel. Research conducted in the U.S. shows biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of all target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds, as compared to petroleum diesel exhaust. These compounds have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds.
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to voluntarily perform EPA Tier I and Tier II testing to quantify emission characteristics and health effects. That study found that B20 (20% biodiesel blended with 80% petroleum diesel) provided significant reductions in the total hydrocarbons; carbon monoxide; and total particulate matter. Typically, emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Research also documents the fact that the ozone forming potential of the hydrocarbon emissions of pure biodiesel is nearly 50% less than that of petroleum fuel. Pure biodiesel typically does not contain sulfur and therefore reduces sulfur dioxide exhaust from diesel engines to virtually zero.
Energy Strategy: Together, biodiesel & California are critical to any responsible energy strategy that seeks to reduce dependence on foreign petroleum. Through the increased production and use of renewable transportation fuels such as biodiesel, California could have a significant role in the reduction of the United State’s dependency on foreign oil. California serves as the major petroleum import hub on the West Coast supplying much of the Western U.S. via Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon. California is home to 21 petroleum refineries that account for roughly 12% of U.S. refining capacity, exceeding 2 billion barrels/day, importing 36% of its refining capacity from foreign sources.
The goal of California AB 1007 (State Alternative Fuels Plan) is to reduce petroleum consumption and GHG emissions through the increased use and in-state production of biofuels. California can readily produce significant volumes of biodiesel from waste sources such as recycled cooking oils (yellow & brown grease), animal fats, and other biomass-based waste sources via traditional and developing technologies. Furthermore, the opportunity for agricultural development of dedicated energy crops such as Camelina, Jatropha, and Algae is very promising. These next generation energy crops also have numerous sustainable benefits – high oil yields, can be grown on marginal lands, require minimal inputs such as water and fertilizer, and do not compete with existing agricultural systems. With the use of B5 (5% biodiesel blended with 95% petroleum diesel), the ASTM D 975 petroleum diesel equivalent, California could support a market of over 200 million gallons/year and displace more than 8 million barrels of foreign oil. In addition, biodiesel is an extremely efficient fuel that creates 3.5 units of energy for every unit of fuel that is required to produce the fuel. For these reasons, the use of biodiesel can greatly contribute to domestic energy security.
Failing to Extend the Tax Incentive Unjustly Penalizes California: A comprehensive and fair energy policy requires tax incentives that do not reward one area of the country while penalizing another. We applaud support for all biofuels, including incentives for ethanol, but respectfully point out that at this time, crops best suited for production of biofuels are also well suited to be grown in California. As you are aware, the federal Farm Bill that passed this session included tax incentives for ethanol, thus providing strong support for agriculture and the biofuels produced in the Midwest and Farm Belt region of our country. If the biodiesel tax credit is not extended, small businesses in California that comprise the State’s biodiesel industry will be placed in an unequal and unfair position relative to our fellow citizens to the North and East who can produce biofuels from more water-intensive crops such as corn and soybeans.
It is important to note that the CBA strongly advocates for an energy strategy that benefits the entire country, and not one particular region. We believe a balanced and fair energy policy should be ecology neutral and reward each region for its contribution to our domestic energy supply. Tax law should be even-handed, and provide incentives that benefit the ability to produce biofuels from all of our nation’s diverse ecologies. Federal policy also must be cognizant of a region’s energy needs and ability to deliver its “homegrown” fuel. Biodiesel can be produced on California’s marginal lands, and can be made readily available to consumers if the Congress provides the essential tax incentives necessary for its development.
Extension of the Biodiesel Tax Incentive Is A National Priority: The biodiesel tax incentive is set to expire on December 31, 2008. Expiration of the incentive would have a catastrophic impact on the U.S. biodiesel industry, and the CBA urges Congress to approve and the President to sign an extension of the incentive before the end of the year.
The biodiesel blenders excise tax is structured in a manner that helps make biodiesel price competitive with conventional diesel fuel. If the tax incentive is allowed to expire at the end of the year, the price of biodiesel will be significantly higher than petroleum diesel, thus significantly reducing demand and making it nearly impossible for biodiesel plants to produce fuel at a profit. Thus, it is safe to assume that if the biodiesel tax incentive lapses, biodiesel production in California and the U.S. will halt or at a minimum be severely curtailed, and the energy security, environmental, and job creation benefits that the nation realizes from biodiesel production will be lost.
I would note that both the Baucus/Reid and McConnell/Grassley energy and tax extenders packages that have been unveiled in the Senate contain similar biodiesel provisions as those contained in H.R. 6049. For the sake of the biodiesel industry and the sake of America’s need to achieve energy independence, the CBA urges Congress to extend the biodiesel tax incentive prior to adjournment. A lapse in the incentive will be a devastating setback to an industry that has the capacity to make a positive contribution in breaking our dependence on foreign oil.
Again, Chairwoman Velazquez, Ranking Member Chabot and Members of the Committee, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony, and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
/s/ Eric M. Bowen
Eric M. Bowen
Chairman, California Biodiesel Alliance
President & CEO Tellurian Biodiesel, Inc.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Preserving Access To Biodiesel In California - SB 1574
The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRB) recently issued a letter indicating that biodiesel cannot be used in underground storage tanks (USTs) because Underwriters Laboratory (UL) has not certified the USTs for use with biodiesel. The UST equipment manufactures have tested biodiesel with their equipment and approved them for use with biodiesel, but UL has not had sufficient time to complete its certification processes as it has been focused on other fuels like ethanol. This threatened to shut down municipal biodiesel programs and biodiesel stations throughout the state. The California Biodiesel Alliance sponsored SB 1574 to create a grace period for UL to compete its work, allowing biodiesel to continue to be used in USTs during the grace period.
I have included below a representative sample of a support letter, this one from the Mayor of Stockton, who's program was in jeopardy of being shut down.
We still have work to do to get this bill passed. It has been wonderful to receive broad based support for this bill and we are hopefully it will become law shortly.
Eric
* * *
June 24, 2008
FAX 916-319-2106
The Honorable Jared Huffman, Chairman
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxics Materials Committee
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR SB 1574
I am writing to express our support for SB 1574, which will allow biodiesel stations and fleets operators to continue to use biodiesel in underground storage tanks (UST).
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRB) has recently issued a letter indicating that biodiesel cannot be used in UST because Underwriters Laboratory (UL) has not certified the UST for use with biodiesel. The UST equipment manufactures have tested biodiesel with their equipment and approved them for use with biodiesel, but UL has not had sufficient time to complete its certification processes as it has been focused on other fuels like ethanol. SB 1574 creates a grace period for UL to compete its work, allowing biodiesel to continue to be used in UST during the grace period, which will expire as soon as the UL standards are in place or until January 1, 2012, whichever is sooner.
The need for this legislation is extremely urgent. In a few short months, local enforcement agencies have moved quickly, shutting down city-run programs in Santa Monica and Pasadena, threatening the city of Stockton’s program, and red-tagging pumps at fueling stations around the state, making it illegal for them to receive future biodiesel shipments. Important state goals like the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and AB 32 are seriously threatened by this situation. Biodiesel is the only low carbon diesel fuel available on the market today.
We strongly support SB 1574, which would allow biodiesel fueling to continue while cities and industry cooperate to insure the best certification for underground storage tanks, pipes, and fittings. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
EDWARD J. CHAVEZ
MAYOR
EJC:CT:jml
cc: Louie Brown, CBA Lobbyist (FAX 916-448-3850)
I have included below a representative sample of a support letter, this one from the Mayor of Stockton, who's program was in jeopardy of being shut down.
We still have work to do to get this bill passed. It has been wonderful to receive broad based support for this bill and we are hopefully it will become law shortly.
Eric
* * *
June 24, 2008
FAX 916-319-2106
The Honorable Jared Huffman, Chairman
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxics Materials Committee
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR SB 1574
I am writing to express our support for SB 1574, which will allow biodiesel stations and fleets operators to continue to use biodiesel in underground storage tanks (UST).
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRB) has recently issued a letter indicating that biodiesel cannot be used in UST because Underwriters Laboratory (UL) has not certified the UST for use with biodiesel. The UST equipment manufactures have tested biodiesel with their equipment and approved them for use with biodiesel, but UL has not had sufficient time to complete its certification processes as it has been focused on other fuels like ethanol. SB 1574 creates a grace period for UL to compete its work, allowing biodiesel to continue to be used in UST during the grace period, which will expire as soon as the UL standards are in place or until January 1, 2012, whichever is sooner.
The need for this legislation is extremely urgent. In a few short months, local enforcement agencies have moved quickly, shutting down city-run programs in Santa Monica and Pasadena, threatening the city of Stockton’s program, and red-tagging pumps at fueling stations around the state, making it illegal for them to receive future biodiesel shipments. Important state goals like the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and AB 32 are seriously threatened by this situation. Biodiesel is the only low carbon diesel fuel available on the market today.
We strongly support SB 1574, which would allow biodiesel fueling to continue while cities and industry cooperate to insure the best certification for underground storage tanks, pipes, and fittings. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
EDWARD J. CHAVEZ
MAYOR
EJC:CT:jml
cc: Louie Brown, CBA Lobbyist (FAX 916-448-3850)
Monday, April 07, 2008
Biodiesel Comes to the SF Bay Railroad
From our friends at http://www.beyondchron.org/
Biodiesel Comes to the SF Bay Railroad
Last Friday, a 5 man team from California's Air Resources Board arrived at the San Francisco Bay Railroad yard to test a variety of biodiesel blends on locomotive engine number 25, the first train to successfully run on biodiesel in San Francisco. "You are witnessing history people", proclaimed David Gavrich, President & CEO of the SFBR, formerly known as LB Railco. The test results from CARB will likely not be known for some time, however the smooth operation of this 1946 diesel engine bodes well considering the large amount of aging locomotives still in operation in the U.S. today. There is hope for many of these necessary relics with the assistance of the SF Department of the Environment and the BAAQMD, (Bay Area Air Quality Management District) "Carl Moyer" grant programs to help refurbish them. Gavrich, a recipient of two such grants applauded the Moyer program, however for some locomotives, they aren't an option. "Some of the parts and infrastructure for these older engines aren't cost effective", he explained. "Biodiesel offers another alternative in the interim".
Fellow SF Biodiesel Access Task Force member and president of the San Francisco Biofuels Cooperative Eric Bowen, joined me on several quarter-mile tests with CARB's crack team. With a hearty "All Aboard", we were off and running. CARB came armed to the teeth with laptops and state-of-the art software, lase r timers, generators, sensors and more. "
It will be great to see the Port doing this next", Gavrich opined, and Bowen, also a member of the Biodiesel Access Task Force's Marine Subcommittee agreed. They may be right, as the infrastructure and cost effectiveness of doing business along the water ways, powered by alternative fuels, safely and responsibly makes a lot of sense.
With the first set of tests completed, Gavrich briefly departed and quickly returned with another fresh supply of 55 gallon drums of "B100" or pure biodiesel from SF Petroleum, the City's supplier of biodiesel to MUNI, it's entire diesel fleet as well as an estimated 100 members of the SF Biofuels Co-op. "This is only the beginning gentlemen!", proclaimed Gavrich, a long time alternative fuels advocate. Gavrich has two locomotives, circa 1946 in his yard; a host of diesel powered lifts and vehicles he plans to use biodiesel on.
Gavrich also hosts many of the truckers from the Bay View Truckers Association, and it's president, Michael Dennis hopes to get many of his members on board. Rising fuel costs are a barrier for many these days, however a variety of options and talk of local biodiesel production are being explored. Gavrich and Bowen also agree that diesel engines will be with us for a while, and until other viable alternatives can be made available, biodiesel, preferably made from sustainable sources, may be one of the best options we have to mitigate some of the effects of global warming and green house gases. New studies and research by the EPA and others may show that NOX emissions from biodiesel may well be less than originally thought, with an increase perhaps as little as 4%. At a recent biodiesel roundtable, Dr. Randall Von Wedel, a leading expert on biodiesel here in the Bay Area, explained that the earlier testing on NOX were outdated, and used a very limited type of engine and conditions to produce a higher NOX score.
Next year, San Francisco will host the annual National Biodiesel Board Conference, and in March of 2009, the City's Green Public Works Ordinance will go into effect, which means any city contractor engaged in public works with diesel vehicles for more than twenty days, must either have their vehicles fitted with particle traps, or use a minimum blend of "B20" biodiesel, 80% petroleum and 20% biodiesel. With City's entire diesel fleet and MUNI now running on B20 biodiesel through the efforts of the Department of the Environment, and the Public Utilities Commission's "Greasecycle" program, collecting waste veggie oil from participating restaurants and turning it in to biodiesel; both with the aid of the SFBC, San Francisco finds itself at the center of the nation's debate on the positive merits of alternative energy and the need to become a more sustainable society.
Gavrich's dream of his railyard, powered by biodiesel must also now be added to the mix. The success of these endeavors will be watched closely indeed. If we get it right here, California and others will surely follow.
E. "Doc" Smith is a member of the SF Biodiesel Access Task Force and the Director of Green Depot, a non-profit organization funded in part by the SF Department of the Environment, advocating the use of biodiesel, particularly in Bayview Hunters Point and Potrero. He can be reached at esmith@greendepot.org
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tellurian Biodiesel
I have been quiet for several months as Tellurian has been focused on closing some key deals. We are about to being making some fun announcments and I am going to make a renewed effort to post more frequently.
The California Biodiesel Alliance (CBA) has also been busy at work, particulary with California's low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) and a few bills CBA is sponsoring in Sacramento this year. I will also attempt to use this forum to keep those interested updated on CBA's efforts.
Best regards,
Eric
The California Biodiesel Alliance (CBA) has also been busy at work, particulary with California's low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) and a few bills CBA is sponsoring in Sacramento this year. I will also attempt to use this forum to keep those interested updated on CBA's efforts.
Best regards,
Eric
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