This is from Mother Earth News boards.

Dennis Weaver promoting Bio Diesel: Bio-diesel is fully biodegradable and is made from natural renewable resources. Bio-diesel smells as subtle as olive oil, is less toxic than table salt and as biodegradable as sugar. Bio-diesel is kinder to the environment as it eliminates the black smoke and fumes normally associated with diesel engines...

Connect to Bio-diesel Users in your area:
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=447
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc

This is just a quick note to keep you up to speed regarding biodiesel happenings on the south coast and related statewide issues.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Measurement Standards is moving forward with their rules regarding pump labeling and sale of biodiesel and biodiesel blends in California. It is anticipated that the rule will come into effect in September. The primary implications are -
A. Biodiesel Blends sold in the state must meet D-975 distillate fuel standards. Non-standard neat biodiesel and biodiesel blends (most), B20 and above can be only sold as "Developmental Fuels". There are specific rules regarding this which include-
a.. The vendor must file and receive a variance which will permit the sale of developmental fuels.
b.. The fuel will only be sold to centrally fueled fleets, with a stipulation that with distribution control, sales can be allowed to co-op members through bulk purchases or to members of a "Biodiesel Users Group".
c.. The vendor must file a report to DMS regarding any customer issues or problems with the fuel. The format has yet to be established, but will probably be a quarterly report.
d.. All customers will be required to receive a written statement regarding "any potential risk associated with the use of the developmental engine fuel".
e.. Fuel pumps and containers of B5 and above must be labeled as follows (1/2" letters w/contrasting background) "THIS FUEL CONTAINS BIODIESEL. CHECK THE OWNERS MANUAL OR WITH YOUR ENGINE MANUFACTURER BEFORE USING".
B. One distribution control measure that can be approved through the variance is to grant the vendor permission to sell biodiesel to members of a "Biodiesel Users Group". To facilitate local vendors, the Southern California Biodiesel Users Group, socalbug.org has been established. This users group, as a condition of the membership application requires members to sign a statement of potential risk. http://www.socalbug.org

C. Your ability to access fuels will depend on the vendor's variance approval. By working with local vendors to assist them in completing the required variance application, I can influence them to seek approval to sell to membership groups. This proactive protection of our fuel supply will benefit all that participate through their membership application.
Mark your calendars and reserve the evening of July 15th for a local biodiesel meeting. The Santa Barbara Community Environmental Council and GOO (Get Oil Out) will be sponsoring an evening of biodiesel at the Faulkner Gallery. Issues to be discussed include: Warranty Updates, Regulatory Developments, Fueling Sites, Vehicle Compatibility and the City of Berkeley Biodiesel program. 7PM at the Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Central Library, 40 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. A city parking structure is on the south side, entry on Anapamu or E. Figueroa.

The Yahoo Group, socalbiodiesel has been having meetings in the southland regarding small production, user issues and co-op purchases. Join the group at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/socalbiodiesel and keep up on local events. Another online forum that has a California Section is http://forums.biodieselnow.com/

If you have question regarding the above information write me or better yet come to the event on the 15th. This will be a great opportunity to meet others in the local biodiesel community, to interact and share knowledge and to demonstrate our commitment to environmental fuels. See you there.
Kent Bullard

kent@sustainableoptions.com

socalbug.org
P.O. Box 7817, Ventura, CA 93006-7817
805-218-6945
FAX 805 647-2301 FAX

Agrifuels - Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, Agrifuels works with Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition cooperating with "business and government to implement the use of biodiesel in today's diesel engines."
http://www.agrifuels.com

American Society for Testing Materials - ASTM sets specification standards for all fuels in the United States. Their "Standard Specifications for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blending Stock for Distillation Fuels," D6751-03, includes results and measurable fuel qualities as well as testing methods.
http://www.astm.org

Biodiesel Council of California - This newly organized group is dedicated to expanding and solidifying the network of biodiesel consumers and small distributors within California. Quarterly meetings are held at various spots throughout the state. Contact Kumar Plocher at kumar@ybiofuels.org.
http://www.biodieselcouncil.org

"Exhausted by Diesel" - Natural Resources Defense Council's report on diesel fuel's impact on our health.
http://www.nrdc.org/air/transportation/cbd/intro.a

Journey to Forever - NGO (non-government organization), dedicated to environmental and rural development, traveled from Hong Kong to Cape Town bringing a focus on "trees, soil, water, sustainable farming, sustainable technology and family nutrition" to those they encountered along the way. Extensive biofuels section.
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html

Maui Green Energy - Biodiesel site with good resources and list of suppliers (not limited to Hawaiian Islands).
http://www.mauigreenenergy.org/biodiesel.html

National Biodiesel Board - Official site for the National Biodiesel Board with current news and legislative proposals and actions.
http://www.biodiesel.org

National Biodiesel Board Distributors - List of biodiesel suppliers by state that have registered with the National Biodiesel Board. Not necessarily all suppliers are registered and you may need to check locally to find sources.
http://www.nbb.org/buyingbiodiesel/distributors/CA

National Biodiesel Board: Retail Fueling Sites - List of Biodiesel retail station pumps across the nation. A good start to locate those places to fill your truck or automobile on the road. http://www.nbb.org/buyingbiodiesel/retailfuelingsi

Pacific Whale Foundation - This foundation, located in Hawaii, is dedicated to the preservation of all whales and provides eco-tours on biodiesel powered boats.
http://www.pacificwhale.org/adventures/index.html

Veggie Avenger - The Veggie Avenger drives two biodiesel powered vehicles and promotes the use of biodiesel so everyone can envision him/herself using this renewable energy in their life. Lots of information and links on this site.
http://www.veggieavenger.com

Veggie Van - Joshua Tickell drove his van 25,000 miles around the United States using only biodiesel made from recycled fryer oil. He eventually wrote From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank and started one of the first websites devoted to biodiesel. Good resources and great discussion group.
http://www.veggievan.org

University Resources
CU Biodiesel - A group formed by University of Colorado students, the UC Environmental Center, and community members dedicated to providing the University and the city Boulder with alternatives to petroleum fuels. http://www.cubiodiesel.org
http://cem.colorado.edu/archives/sp2003/fuels.html

Hawaii Energy Policy Forum - University of Hawaii - Forum incorporating the community, business and government sectors in a dialog establishing strategies and policies for alterntive energy sources. http://hawaiienergypolicy.hawaii.edu/index.html

Iowa Energy Center: Biomass Energy Conversion (BECON) - Opened facility to all universities, colleges, community colleges, non-profit organizations, research partners from private sector to become a true center for exchange of ideas, information, and research on biomass issues. http://www.asae.org/imis/staticcontent/3/dec02/iow

Ohio University: Environmental Program - Courses offered in the Environmental Sciences, including Environmental Pre-Law. First campus to offer a "how-to" course in making biodiesel. http://www.ohiou.edu/chooseohio/majorsdh.html
http://www.ohio.edu/outlook/67f-034.cfm

University of Idaho Biodiesel Homepage - University of Idaho has been a pioneer in biodiesel research, using campus vehicles for longterm test programs.
http://www.uidaho.edu/bae/biodiesel

Washington State University Cooperative Extension Energy Program - Program designed to assess conversion of biomass into alternative fuels and to promote their use. Works in conjunction with community programs throughout the state including Pueget Sound Clean Cities Coalition and Washington State Grange
http://www.energy.wsu.edu/

Federal Government Resources
Alternative Fuels Data Center - Database for information on alternative fuels, fuel station mapping systems, vehicles. . . All documents in Biofuel Document Database of NREL.
http://www.afdc.nrel.gov/

Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines - Extensive information on the specifics of biodiesel to be used as a field guide for those who are using, distributing or are involved in activities related to biodiesel. Good reference. Paper written by National Renewable Energy Labratory.
http:/www./nrel.gov/docs/fy01osti/30004.pdf
Bioenergy Information Network: Bioenergy Feedstock Development Program - Site for numerous links into bioenergy community.
http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/links.html

Biofuels for Sustainable Transportation - Excellent information on the status of biofuel industry at this time including economics, usage, news, and legislation. Website for Department of Energy's Office of Transportation Technologies - Sustainable Transportation.
http://www.ott.doe.gov/biofuels

Clean Air Coalition - Site for those interested in an existing or establishing a coalition for the purpose of integrating alternative fuels in to the infrastructure of their area .
http://www.ccities.doe.gov/

Department of Energy Bridge - Source of full text and bibliographic records of all DOE papers. Covers wide range of topics including renewable energy and biofuels.
http://www.osti.gov/bridge

National Bioenergy Center, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) - Primary center at NREL, includes work from other DOE laboratories, for the assessment and creation of new technologies for the biomass industries.
http://www.nrel.gov/biomass

National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Homepage for NREL and other resources within the Laboratory.
http://www.nrel.gov

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Publications Database - Biotechnology and other renewable energy technical papers written by NREL Staff and subcontractors from 1977 to present.
http://www.nrel.gov/publications

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Information on biomass based fuels and how they interact with other renewable resources.
http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/bioenergy.html

Office of Transportation Technologies - Enter "biofuels" and access Department of Energy's OTT webpages relating to biofuels
http://www.ott.doe.gov/

Regional Biomass Energy Program - As part of DOE and OTT, the Regional Biomass Energy Program is responsible for dissemination of information relating to biomass technology.
http://www.ott.doe.gov/rbep/programs.html

Regional Biomass Energy Program: Western Division - The Western Division focuses on small municipalities and rural communities and their conversion to and utilization of biomass energy.
http://www.westbioenergy.org

United States Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service - Several projects relating to biomass and biofuels production. Investigating scientific knowledge relating to biofuels. The ARS and USDA use biodiesel in some of their vehicles.
http://www.nps.ars.usda.gov/

United States Department of Agriculture Biofuels Information - All USDA research projects grouped by topics.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/ttic/biofuels.htm

State Government Resources
California Air Resources Board - Alternate Diesel Fuels - A sub-agency dedicated to issues dealing with alternate diesel fuels. Has a newly formed Biodiesel Working Group to address issues of air pollution in California as it relates to biodiesel.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/diesel/altdiesel/altdi

California Air Resources Board - Biodiesel Working Group
California Environmental Protection Agency
The Biodiesel Working Group was formed as a result of the recommendations made by the Public Consultation Meeting in February 2004. This Working Group addresses biodiesel issues related to air pollution such as biodiesel specifications, multi-media assessment, and the status of interim verification of biodiesel.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/diesel/altdiesel/altdi

"In Our Backyard - Back to the (Energy) Future?" - Maine's Department of Environmental Protection newsletter carried this article by Jon Wathen discussing the possibilities of biofuel production and its use in Maine.
http://www.state.me.us/dep/iob/iob_124.htm

National Conference of State Legislatures - Report assessing the status of alternative fuels within the states, their polcies and implementation. Provides assessment of various programs.
http://ncls.org/programs/esnr/ALTFUEL.HTM

Feedstock Organization Resources
Canadian Renewable Fuels Association - Canada is actively pursuing alternative resources. Good resource including other countries.
http://www.greenfuels.org/bioindex.html

Illinois Corn Growers Association - Facts on ethanol's viability as alternative fuel source.
http://www.ilcorn.org/Ethanol/ethnaol.html

Iowa Soybean Association Soybeans are major biomass for biodiesel production in the Midwest. Resources and information on soybeans.
http://www.iasoybeans.com/biodiesel.html

Ohio Corn Marketing Program - Corn is a second major source for biomass in biofuel production. Includes section on biofuels.
http://www.ohiocorn.org/index.htm

Ontario Soybean Growers - Represents 25,000 growers in Ontario, Canada, providing marketing and information for soybeans.
http://www.soybean.on.ca

International Resources
Australian Biofuels Association - Established to promote the development and research ofbiofuels industry in Australia based on the sustainable management and exploitation of the country's biomass resources.
http://www.australianbiofuelsassociation.org.au

Biodiesel Association of Australia - Homepage for an association to promote and disseminate news and developments regarding the status of biodiesel in Australia.
http://www.biodiesel.org.au

Biodiesel International - European (German) leader in developing multi-feedstock facilities for the production of biodiesel. Good chronology of advances in biodiesel production technology.
http://www.biodiesel-intl.com

Elenco Links - Resource links to worldwide biomass processed fuels.
http://www.biodiesel.it/links.htm

Energea - Austrian company working with new technologies in production of biodiesel..Some good resources and links within Europe.
http://www.energea.at

European Energy Crops InterNetwork - 19 Institutes in 14 countries join to share research, development and implementation activities of energy crops. Excellent resource for most recent European development and research.
http://www.eeci.net

LC Solar - A company committed to supplying "low cost", environmentally friendly, high quality, efficient photovoltaic (PV) modules - globally.
http://www.lc-solar.com

Commercial Resources
Biodiesel Industries - Homepage for Biodiesel Industries which, in conjunction with Western Energetix and the Nevada Energy Office, opened the first public biodiesel station in Sparks, Nevada.
http://www.pipeline.to/biodiesel

Caterpillar International - Caterpillar's statement regarding specifications and use of biodiesel in their engines.
http://ausrf.com.au/cat_wrty.pdf

John Deere - John Deere's announcement of approval for soybased biodiesel in all their diesel powered products. They have a 35 year commitment to developing bio-based alternative fuels.
http://www.deere.com/en_US/newsroom/2001/release/c

John Deere - Enter "biodiesel" and you find environmental and safety information relating to diesel engines.
http://www.jdsearch.com

Kuriyama of America, Inc. - Producer of transfer hoses compatable with biodiesel needs, i.e., non-degradable. Series 143 comes with wire and without wire.
http://www.kuriyama.com

New Age Industries - Produce industrial compnents such as vitube - hosing for engines fuel lines, etc.
http://www.newageindustries.com

Pacific Biodiesel - Producer of biodiesel fuel for Hawaiian Islands and a proponent for biofuel usage. Resources.
http://www.biodiesel.com

Pacific Biofuels, Inc. - Biodiesel distributor located in Santa Cruz, CA. Collects used fryer oil and provides various blends of biodiesel to Bay Area. http://www.pacfuel.com

PowerTrainUSA - Mike Hart, CEO of Sierra Railroad, proposes using diesel-electric locomotives to produce electricity in face of power shortages. Sierra Railroad runs their tour trains on biodiesel fuel.
http://www.sierrarailroad.com/powertrain/index.htm

Splash Tours - Provides tours of San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay using amphibious vehicles. The amphibians are powered with biodiesel.
http://www.splashtours.com

World Energy - Provider of alternative fuel solutions for federal, state, utility, transit, municipal, and private fleets nationwide.
http://www.worldenergy.net

Diesel Engine Resources
Diesel Veg - Discussion of Rudolph Diesel's life and invention of the engine that carries his name.
http://www.dieselveg.com/rudolph_diesel.htm

Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network: Diesel Engines - Discussion of the impact of the diesel engine on the Navy and its ships propulsion systems as well as basic workings of a diesel engine and its effectiveness.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/eng/diesel

Frontier Trails - History on use of steam engines and later diesel engines in the mines of the Old West.
http://www.frontiertrails.com/oldwest/poweringmine

German Museum in München - Displaying first diesel engine and discussion of development of early diesels.
http://www.deutsches-museum.de/ausstell/meister/me

Tasman Energy: Rudolph and his Engine - Short history on the diesel engine and Rudolph Diesel's dream of using biofuels.
http://www.tasmanenergy.com.au/rudolf_and_his_engi

Tiscali Motoring - History into present of use of diesel engines in automobiles.
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/diesel/history.h

West of Laramie: A Brief History of the Automobile Industry - Richard Wright put together this brief history of diesel engines on the automobile in the United States.
http://www.cfpca.wayne.edu/faculty/wright/autohist

Other Resources
Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do - Discussion of impact of hemp on various economic industries in our society, including medicine, food, textiles, paper and biofuels. (Note: "Hemp for Victory" was a World War II government slogan encouraging the planting and growing of hemp due to its multipurpose contributions to the war effort.)
http://www.mcwilliams.com/books/aint/504.htm

Hemp Car Transamerica - History of the politics and the impact of forcing the petroleum to the forefront and biomass energy (hemp) to relative obscurity.
http://hempcar.org/diesel.shtml>http://>http://hempcar.org/diesel.shtml
Rockefeller and Standard Oil. . .Rags to Riches. . . - Gives insight into the development of petroleum industry and the business tactics utilized to eliminate rivals. (Note: Standard Oil in conjunction with Henry Ford provided ethanol during the 1920's, making it 25% by volume of Standard Oil's sales.
http://www.bilderberg.org/whatafel.htm

Most of this Information from:
http://www.ybiofuels.org/bio_fuels/links.html
http://www.ybiofuels.org
http://www.socalbug.org