BioDieselNow - Renewable biodiesel fuel

Biodiesel Senate contacts

natescape — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:55:00 GMT

Hi all. Below, we've listed all the United States senators. Please contact your senators to express your interest in biodesel and to let them know how much you support biodiesel.

Murkowski, Lisa- (R - AK)	Class III
709 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6665
Web Form: murkowski.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)	Class II
522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3004
Web Form: stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Em...

Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)	Class II
335 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4124
Web Form: sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Constitue...

Shelby, Richard C.- (R - AL)	Class III
110 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5744
E-mail: senator@shelby.senate.gov

Lincoln, Blanche L.- (D - AR)	Class III
355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4843
Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html

Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)	Class II
255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2353
Web Form: pryor.senate.gov/contact/

Kyl, Jon- (R - AZ)	Class I
730 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
Web Form: kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

McCain, John- (R - AZ)	Class III
241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2235
Web Form: mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Boxer, Barbara- (D - CA)	Class III
112 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3553
Web Form: boxer.senate.gov/contact

Feinstein, Dianne- (D - CA)	Class I
331 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3841
Web Form: feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...

Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)	Class II
521 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5941
Web Form: allard.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Salazar, Ken- (D - CO)	Class III
702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5852
Web Form: salazar.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Dodd, Christopher J.- (D - CT)	Class III
448 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2823
Web Form: dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3130

Lieberman, Joseph I.- (ID - CT)	Class I
706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4041
Web Form: lieberman.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm?regarding=issue

Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)	Class II
201 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5042
Web Form: biden.senate.gov/services/contact/

Carper, Thomas R.- (D - DE)	Class I
513 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2441
Web Form: carper.senate.gov/contact/

Martinez, Mel- (R - FL)	Class III
356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Web Form: martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactIn...

Nelson, Bill- (D - FL)	Class I
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
Web Form: billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)	Class II
416 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3521
Web Form: chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...

Isakson, Johnny- (R - GA)	Class III
120 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3643
Web Form: isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Akaka, Daniel K.- (D - HI)	Class I
141 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6361
Web Form: akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Inouye, Daniel K.- (D - HI)	Class III
722 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3934
Web Form: inouye.senate.gov/abtform.html

Grassley, Chuck- (R - IA)	Class III
135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3744
Web Form: grassley.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.H...

Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)	Class II
731 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3254
Web Form: harkin.senate.gov/c/

Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)	Class II
520 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2752
Web Form: craig.senate.gov/email/

Crapo, Mike- (R - ID)	Class III
239 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6142
Web Form: crapo.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)	Class II
309 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2152
Web Form: durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Obama, Barack- (D - IL)	Class III
713 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2854
Web Form: obama.senate.gov/contact/

Bayh, Evan- (D - IN)	Class III
131 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5623
Web Form: bayh.senate.gov/contact/email/

Lugar, Richard G.- (R - IN)	Class I
306 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4814
E-mail: senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov

Brownback, Sam- (R - KS)	Class III
303 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6521
Web Form: brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm

Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)	Class II
109 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4774
Web Form: roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInf...

Bunning, Jim- (R - KY)	Class III
316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4343
Web Form: bunning.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Co...

McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)	Class II
361-A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2541
Web Form: mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)	Class II
724 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5824
Web Form: landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Vitter, David- (R - LA)	Class III
516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4623
Web Form: vitter.senate.gov/?module=webformIQV1

Kennedy, Edward M.- (D - MA)	Class I
317 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4543
Web Form: kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm

Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)	Class II
304 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2742
Web Form: kerry.senate.gov/v3/contact/email.html

Cardin, Benjamin L.- (D - MD)	Class I
509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4524
Web Form: cardin.senate.gov/contact/

Mikulski, Barbara A.- (D - MD)	Class III
503 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4654
Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm

Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)	Class II
413 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Web Form: collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=Contact...

Snowe, Olympia J.- (R - ME)	Class I
154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
Web Form: snowe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenat...

Levin, Carl- (D - MI)	Class II
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
Web Form: levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Stabenow, Debbie- (D - MI)	Class I
133 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4822
Web Form: stabenow.senate.gov/email.cfm

Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)	Class II
320 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5641
Web Form: coleman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Co...

Klobuchar, Amy- (D - MN)	Class I
302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3244
Web Form: klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfm

Bond, Christopher S.- (R - MO)	Class III
274 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5721
Web Form: bond.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

McCaskill, Claire- (D - MO)	Class I
717 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6154
Web Form: mccaskill.senate.gov/contact/

Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)	Class II
113 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5054
Web Form: cochran.senate.gov/contact.htm

Wicker, Roger F.- (R - MS)	Class I
487 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6253
Web Form: wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.EMa...

Baucus, Max- (D - MT)	Class II
511 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2651
Web Form: baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

Tester, Jon- (D - MT)	Class I
204 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2644
Web Form: tester.senate.gov/Contact/

Burr, Richard- (R - NC)	Class III
217 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3154
Web Form: burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)	Class II
555 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6342
Web Form: dole.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInform...

Conrad, Kent- (D - ND)	Class I
530 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2043
Web Form: conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

Dorgan, Byron L.- (D - ND)	Class III
322 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2551
E-mail: senator@dorgan.senate.gov

Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)	Class II
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4224
Web Form: hagel.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Nelson, E. Benjamin- (D - NE)	Class I
720 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6551
Web Form: bennelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Gregg, Judd- (R - NH)	Class III
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3324
Web Form: gregg.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Cont...

Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)	Class II
111 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2841
Web Form: www.sununu.senate.gov/webform.html

Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)	Class II
324 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3224
Web Form: lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/

Menendez, Robert- (D - NJ)	Class I
317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4744
Web Form: menendez.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Bingaman, Jeff- (D - NM)	Class I
703 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5521
E-mail: senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov

Domenici, Pete V.- (R - NM)	Class II
328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6621
Web Form: domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm

Ensign, John- (R - NV)	Class I
119 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6244
Web Form: ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm

Reid, Harry- (D - NV)	Class III
528 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3542
Web Form: reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Clinton, Hillary Rodham- (D - NY)	Class I
476 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4451
Web Form: clinton.senate.gov/contact

Schumer, Charles E.- (D - NY)	Class III
313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6542
Web Form: schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm

Brown, Sherrod- (D - OH)	Class I
455 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2315
Web Form: brown.senate.gov/contact/

Voinovich, George V.- (R - OH)	Class III
524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Web Form: voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact....

Coburn, Tom- (R - OK)	Class III
172 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5754
Web Form: coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSena...

Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)	Class II
453 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4721
Web Form: inhofe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)	Class II
404 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3753
Web Form: gsmith.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Wyden, Ron- (D - OR)	Class III
230 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5244
Web Form: wyden.senate.gov/contact/

Casey, Robert P., Jr.- (D - PA)	Class I
383 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6324
Web Form: casey.senate.gov/contact/

Specter, Arlen- (R - PA)	Class III
711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4254
Web Form: specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Co...

Reed, Jack- (D - RI)	Class II
728 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4642
Web Form: reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm

Whitehouse, Sheldon- (D - RI)	Class I
502 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2921
Web Form: whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/

DeMint, Jim- (R - SC)	Class III
340 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6121
Web Form: demint.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)	Class II
290 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5972
Web Form: lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Em...

Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)	Class II
136 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5842
Web Form: johnson.senate.gov/contact/

Thune, John- (R - SD)	Class III
493 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Web Form: thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)	Class II
455 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4944
Web Form: alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact....

Corker, Bob- (R - TN)	Class I
185 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3344
Web Form: corker.senate.gov/Contact/index.cfm

Cornyn, John- (R - TX)	Class II
517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Web Form: cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Hutchison, Kay Bailey- (R - TX)	Class I
284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Web Form: hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Bennett, Robert F.- (R - UT)	Class III
431 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5444
Web Form: bennett.senate.gov/contact/emailmain.html

Hatch, Orrin G.- (R - UT)	Class I
104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5251
Web Form: hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Cont...

Warner, John- (R - VA)	Class II
225 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2023
Web Form: warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Webb, Jim- (D - VA)	Class I
144 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
Web Form: webb.senate.gov/contact/

Leahy, Patrick J.- (D - VT)	Class III
433 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4242
E-mail: senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov

Sanders, Bernard- (I - VT)	Class I
332 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5141
Web Form: sanders.senate.gov/comments/

Cantwell, Maria- (D - WA)	Class I
511 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3441
Web Form: cantwell.senate.gov/contact/

Murray, Patty- (D - WA)	Class III
173 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2621
Web Form: murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

Feingold, Russell D.- (D - WI)	Class III
506 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5323
Web Form: feingold.senate.gov/contact_opinion.html

Kohl, Herb- (D - WI)	Class I
330 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5653
Web Form: kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html

Byrd, Robert C.- (D - WV)	Class I
311 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3954
Web Form: byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)	Class II
531 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6472
Web Form: rockefeller.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Barrasso, John- (R - WY)	Class I
307 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6441
Web Form: barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs...

Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)	Class II
379A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3424
Web Form: enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInform...

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200MPH, 100MPG, 2000 mile per tank diesel car: Trident Iceni

natescape — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:44:00 GMT

But not in America, of course. Just in England for now. It's supposed to take advantage of some "torque multiplier" techology to crank out 520 lb/ft of torqe at 1800 RPMs. Is it marketing hype, or might their numbers actually be realistic? Discuss in our diesel vehicle forum.

The new Trident Iceni

The Trident Iceni is a bespoke two-seater sports car - more exclusive than prestige cars available now, with innovations throughout. The configuration of the car is traditional front engine, rear wheel drive like the latest Aston Martins and Ferraris

The fully folded stainless steel chassis forms a complete safety cell around the occupants against front and side impact . With its unique central spine rollover protection, it has been tested and proven to have the highest torsional rigidity (17000lb/ft per degree) of any car tested - it is also guaranteed for life against corrosion.

The engine is sourced from GM, a 6.6l V8 turbo diesel. Its location, although in the front, is behind the centre line of the front axle, making its position more mid-engine than front engine. The power supplied is in excess of 375 bhp at 3100 rpm, whilst its torque in excess of 520lb/ft at 1800 rpm gives us an extremely easy car to drive with low engine speed (maximum 4500 revs) and it will last for up to 250,000 miles.

The most significant innovation lies in the gearbox which is located in the rear of the car. It's an 8-speed automatic, controlled by paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. This enables the car to make full use of its huge torque by keeping the engine operating within its peak performance band. Computer calculations have been made suggesting a top speed of 230 mph, and with 0-60mph in under 4 seconds. A constant 70 mph, gives a recorded fuel consumption of 68.9 mpg! . Our prototype fuel capacity of 100 litres, gave a cruising range of approximately 1600 miles, but our production models new tanks gives us a 2000 mile range!
The front and rear suspension is forged aluminium with power assisted steering.

Further innovations include a fixed seat position with electrically adjustable pedal box and steering column and four oculight removable roof panels.

Car info here.

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What about a diesel/hybrid Nissan Z?

Rich — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:42:00 GMT

Design student Benjamin Nawaka created a four door coupe called the XLink inspired by the legendary Datsun 240Z, predecessor of the Nissan line of Z cars. Unique to this concept is that Nissan has been talking about diesel and hybrids and bringing them to the market in 2010. According to a AutoBlogGreen blog post, there is no information from Nissan on producing this vehicle with or without a diesel, but a sexy diesel/hybrid might turn a few heads -- it does mine.

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Selling Biodiesel...is it worth it? (By Graydon Blair)

Graydon Blair — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:45:00 GMT

I get asked all the time what it'd take to sell Biodiesel.

My canned answer is "It ain't worth it!".

But, some are persistent and continue to want to know why I feel the way I do.

Well, let's start from the top...

When I first got into this glorious fuel, I had big dreams of making and selling Biodiesel to people and getting stinking rich (me and every other person that gets into it probably thinks the same thing....)

Well, I spent literally MONTHS researching the possibility of selling bio and in my quest to do so figured I'd be much happier teaching people how to make it themselves and selling them the supplies to do it instead.

Here's why...
1) Competition.
Everyone AND THEIR DOG wants to sell Biodiesel. As soon as someone discovers they can make the stuff, out come the dollar signs in their eyes and they start wanting to sell the stuff.

For about every 100 people that think it, 1 of them does. And, the ones that do have to fork out a lot of time, money and investment.

Let's put it this way. The competition is stiff and getting stiffer each day

2) Going Legal is a nightmare!
If you're going to sell Biodiesel and do it legally (which is the ONLY way I propose you should do it), then my friend, you are up for one heck of a big surprise.

Here's a few reasons why.
A- Permitting....
So, ya think you wanna make Biodiesel in a residence eh? Well, I bet your zoning and health department don't want you doing that. The water department would also want to talk to you and, oh yeah, how ya gonna measure out the biodiesel to sell it accurately? In comes the Standard & Weights folks.

How ya gonna tax it? The feds & the state ALWAYS want their fair share of what you sell and Biodiesel is no different.

How bout certifying you're making ASTM Bio? That ain't cheap!

Oh yeah, what about registering your fuel with the EPA? You know, because IT'S THE LAW!!! Yep. That's painful too. Why? Because to do so you'll be forced to join the National Biodiesel Board because they were the ones that did all the Health & Human Testing on the stuff and hold the proprietary information on it...and because I bet you ain't got the millions of dollars that it cost them to do the testing yourself.

Now, how about selling it & distributing it? Did you know that your trucks have to be certified? Do you have a DOT Drivers license? Whip out that Drug Screen Test! It's mandatory folks! So is a DOT physical!

And the list goes on and on and on....

For a view of what Piedmont Biofuels had to do, check out their nightmare...
http://energy.biofuels.coop/2007/01/05/the-permits/

Now, once you have all THAT done, how will you market the fuel? How will you distribute it? How will you ensure that you have enough feedstock and that the feedstock you get will always be consistent?

How will you dispose of all that glycerin? What about storing all that lye and methanol? I bet the fire marshal will have a few things to say about that....

And the list just goes on and on and on.....

So, if you think you're really up to the task and really want to give it a go, more power to you! But remember, I warned you!

...ok, seriously, if you do want to go legal and want to sell the stuff, I highly recommend a book on how to do it.

It's called Building a Successful Biodiesel Business and is published by the absolute authorities in Biodiesel in the United States.

Here's the link to it:
Biodiesel Basics

I highly recommend it.

So, if you're still seeing those dollar signs in your eyes, go for it! Just be sure to give me a ring when you need equipment! I'd be happy to hook you up!

-Graydon

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Buy new VW TDI, get $1,300 federal tax credit

Rich — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:20:00 GMT

The IRS has made the new 2009 40+ mpg ‘clean diesel’ Volkswagen Jetta TDI eligible for a federal tax credit, just as many hybrid vehicles have been in the past. The new VW TDI qualifies based on the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit *. What this means for buyers of a new Jetta TDI (eventually VW Sportwagen TDI … and perhaps others) is that the credit can bring the MSRP price of a diesel Jetta $700 lower than a gas vehicle. But here’s a note of caution — early buyers might want to be aware that dealers are currently taking deposits for orders and are finding it easy to market up current manufacturer’s suggested retail price with ‘add-ons,’ on the other hand, VW is also looking at a price hike.

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My first impressions driving the 2009 VW Jetta TDI

Rich — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:48:00 GMT

The dealer demo TDIs have been slow to arrive to Cincinnati area dealerships, but today did get a chance to head over to Fairfield VW and test drive the new 2009 Jetta ‘clean diesel.’ Its basically the same body (A5) that has been part of the VW Jetta line up for a couple of years now, but with the new ‘clean diesel’ TDI engine. The first thing I noticed was that you just turn the key to start (I sense that the glow plug/starter delay is handled by the computer in cold weather?). After starting, the new TDI was as quite as any diesel that I’ve ever heard, including the new CDI Mercedes. The engine purred very smoothly, in fact when I opened the hood I could hardly detect the normal TDI diesel vibration familiar to A3 and A4 TDI owners. Not to worry though, this slick new TDI still has enough ‘quiet clatter’ to keep a diesel-lover knowing that it is still an oil burner.

Of course one of the reasons this 50 state compliant diesel has received approval is due to the after combustion exhaust treatment (below) and the new Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel now being sold in the U.S. The 15ppm sulfur content verses the old 500ppm does make a big difference — and don’t put the older LSD in this vehicle. At this time, Volkswagen does permit B5 (biodiesel at 5%) if it meets ASTM standards, although I’ve heard B20 is being tested. The clean exhaust on the tester vehicle was noticeable when placing a white handkerchief under the tailpipe; hardly a smudge or even a diesel smell. Well done VW. (Cellphone –Treo 700p — photos; click for larger)

As for driving comfort, I would have preferred the 6-speed manual gearbox, but then perhaps I’m just old school? I like smaller cars that put the driver in charge and in control of most aspects of driving, especially ones with European handling. Nevertheless, the DSG six speed automatic is by far the best ‘automatic’ transmission to ever go in a VW … or any other car. Its very quick and offers both a sport ‘automatic’ mode and a touch shift clutch-less manual shift mode. I felt that the down-shifting in sport mode would take some getting us too?

As for power, a 2.0-liter unit pumps out 140 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque makes this car quicker in seat of the pants feel than its gas cousin or perhaps even my old Rocketchipped and Race injectored 2003 VW TDI? I certainly noticed that the handling was far better than most small cars, something Volkswagen owners have come to expect. It felt better than my older A4 and almost as snappy as my son’s GTI. (well that might be an exaggeration) While this added power is most appreciated, it comes on much smoother and yet still offers the fuel efficiency TDI owners love and expect. Don’t be at all surprised to hear 50MPG the norm for highway driving — previous post. All in all, I was impressed.

What was a bit disappointing to me, was the fact that its not easy to purchase, since it must be ordered (July 2008). The current supply is non-existent and dealers are asking a premium price. It seems VW dealers realize that there is pent up demand for TDIs after a 2 year hiatus, so they are selling at MSRP with additional markups. As an example, my local dealership has added a “protection package” which boost the MSRP by about $1589.00. To place an order for a nicely equipped Loyal Edition and DSG transmission with an MSRP just over $24,000 requires $25,689.00 before taxes and documentation.

I suppose that the wise buyer will wait for TDI inventories to grow, for the Sportwagen and Tiguan to show up and for competition to start marketing their diesels, but I know it might be difficult to wait yet another year … or so. At any rate, the new TDI is a worthwhile car to at least test drive at your Volkswagen dealer. Another option would be to stop in and check it out at the TDIFest OH8 in Mason, Ohio this Labor Day (Cincinnati, Ohio area) — Register at the TDIClub.

Repost by request.

Discuss this stunning TDI and other diesel vehicles in our diesel vehicle forum.

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