Hudson Valley Biodiesel Cooperative
Newsletter 0.1, September 24, 2004
Let's get started!
I'd like to begin by thanking Sustainable Hudson Valley's Melissa Everett, who simple asked "Who would be interested in starting a biodiesel cooperative?" And so, the Hudson Valley Biodiesel Cooperative (HVBC) was born out of Melissa's "Re-Inventing Local Economies" program at the Mid-Hudson Valley People's Assembly. Also, thanks to Jeff Green for his immediate inspiration.
Secondly, I took the liberty of adding a number of folks to the HVBC distribution list. If you prefer not to be on the distribution list, reply to this email with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject line/field. BEFORE you unsubscribe, bear with us. I do NOT expect distributing more than 2-4 newsletters per month. Initially the newsletters will communicate our startup-progress then, I do not expect more than a couple of newsletters per month.
If you don't live in the Hudson Valley area or, you're not sure why you where added to this list - again, bear with us. I probably added you to this list because I thought you could offer some input or expertise towards our objectives and interests in making the HVBC successful.
This email was sent blind. In other words, anyone receiving this email cannot see your name or email address. If you signed-on to the Biodiesel Co-op list at the MHVPA, Melissa and Jeff have a copy of that list. Subscriber's names and emails will be held in strict confidence. NO NAME, ADDRESS or EMAIL will be distributed WITHOUT EXPLICIT AUTHORIZATION.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Do you know someone who can help? Do you know someone who might be interested? DISTRIBUTE (forward) this email WIDELY!!! Ask folks, your friends and families, to get on board and offer their interest, input and support. Ask them to send an email to me at RPilkington@hvc.rr.com with "SUBSCRIBE HVBC" in the Subject line/field. Or, ask them to join the Yahoo! Group (see below).
Let's keep it apolitical. Non-political. NOT political! Yes. It's hard to talk about fuel resources - energy alternatives - without touching on politics. But, there is much to say about biodiesel WITHOUT politics. (Surely, this will be MY biggest challenge.) As a co-op we will need to address this topic for a most effective objective and plan in marketing support for the HVBC.
KISS - A Simple Beginning
This is NOT to say we will not be aggressive in our work, in our pursuit, of a successful HVBC. This is our first step in achieving our primary goal - furthering success and growth of biodiesel usage.
This is NOT to say our Mission, Objectives and Goals are cut in stone. We NEED and VALUE everyone's input.
Mission Statement
Escalate the advancement of biodiesel technology in the Hudson Valley region by providing a focal point and interactive forum for education and communication.
Objectives and Goals
1. Maintain a strict adherence to our primary goal of promoting, supporting and furthering the success and growth
of biodiesel usage in the Hudson Valley region.
2. Develop and distribute questionnaire.
a. Gather input. b. Determine where we stand as producers, promoters, supporters and consumers of biodiesel.
3. Evaluate and develop the scope of our project, the Hudson Valley Biodiesel Cooperative (HVBC).
4. Establish clear objectives, goals and direction for the HVBC. Enhance our Mission Statement and Primary Goal.
5. Distribute Newsletters. Contact local action, public interest groups and professional/trade organizations, and the media.
6. Maintain a liberal vision and view necessitated by needs to support our primary goal.
Join our Yahoo! Group
Is this great or what?!?! Don't you love the internet? What better way to get started on a cooperative effort than on-line? (Saves gas too!)
Our group name is: HVBIODIESELCOOP
Access the Yahoo! Group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HVBIODIESELCOOP
IF YOU NEED HELP joining the group, contact me directly at 845-313-2039.
Organize, Communicate, Act!
Okay. So I haven't mentioned "meeting" yet. That's where YOU come in. And, that's how the Yahoo! Group and Newsletter helps us get there. So . . .
1. Join the Yahoo! Group.
2. Dialogue with your HVBC partners.
3. Ask questions.
4. Offer input, suggestions, ideas, etc.
5. Stay involved.
Whatever works. If you can't or don't want to work through the Yahoo! group. Contact me via phone or email. I will distribute Meeting Schedules through the newsletter to all on the distribution list..
Let's Rock and Roll!!!
Thanks All,
Richard Pilkington
845-313-2039
P.S. If you're having trouble accessing the links, go here: http://itsmc.com/hvbc/newsletters/Newsletter%200.1.htm
Some possibly FAQs!
What does this have to do with me?
In short, the United States' dependence on fossil-fuel has precipitated the need for alternative energy solutions. Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy.
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What is Biodiesel?
BioDiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. BioDiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a BioDiesel blend (most often 80% [B80] petroleum diesel to 20% BioDiesel called B20 [B100 is pure, also refered as neat biodiesel]). It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with no major modifications. BioDiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
Biodiesel can be made from any vegetable oil including oils pressed straight from the seed (virgin oils) such as soy, sunflower, canola, coconut and hemp. Biodiesel can also be made from recycled cooking oils from fast food restaurants. Even animal fats like beef tallow and fish oil can be used to make biodiesel fuel. While biodiesel may sound like something from the movie “Back to the Future,” its use dates back over 100 years to the invention of the diesel engine.
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Why Biodiesel (instead of ethanol or other alternative fuels)?
It's a little technical, but . . . A study, co-sponsored by the United States Department of Energy and the USDA in 1998, has determined that energy balance and energy life-cycle inventory for biodiesel is far superior to ethanol, gasoline and petroleum diesel.
Ethanol has wide support, from farm-belt to urban centers. You may have noticed while filling your tank, New York retail stations provide a 10% blend of ethanol.
The transportation industry is not going away anytime soon. Heavy industrial equipment uses diesel engines. Petroleum diesel is one of the worst pollutants. Biodiesel, on the other hand, is non-toxic and biodegradable. It's one of the few times we can feel comfortable saying, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"
Dr. Rudolf Diesel first introduced his diesel engine at a world expo in the early 1900's. He fueled his engine on peanut oil. The diesel engine is the engine of the future; superior in energy efficiency. It's about time we moved forward with Dr. Diesel's vision.
I have a diesel engine vehicle. Why else should I use biodiesel?
Superior Lubricity, Better Combustion, Consistently High Fuel Efficiency, Increased Engine Life.
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Recent Regional News
Delaware Breaks Ground For Soy/Biodiesel Manufacturing Plant
Biodiesel is focus of Vermont conference - Represents significant accomplishments in the growth of Vermont biodiesel
Mirabito Fuel Group to Receive More Than $142,800 - from New York State Clean Cities Challenge Program
for Projects in Oneonta and Sidney. New Public Biodiesel Fueling Station to be Built
Biodiesel News
The Soy Daily (and the Biobased Information System)
Links
Further Reading
Biodiesel: On the Road to Fueling the Future (PDF)
Business Management for Biodiesel Producers (PDF)
From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank: The Complete Guide to Using Vegetable Oil as an Alternative Fuel