Biodiesel
Your story, Make Fries, Not War!
may have left readers with the impression that biodiesel is illegal in
California, which simply isnt the case. Biodiesel is legal as both a
fuel and fuel additive.
The existing biodiesel specification is
for biodiesel used as a blend stock. This specification was proposed as
a standard for biodiesel used as a pure motor fuel. However, due to a
lack of experience with B100 used as a motor fuel, ASTM chose to change
the scope of the specification.
The American Society of Testing and
Materials (ASTM) has not established specifications for biodiesel used
as a neat motor fuel (B100), or for finished blends. Since there is
no specification for B20 itself, B20 and all other biodiesel blends
must meet the specification for conventional diesel fuel (ASTM D975) to
be legal for sale. Blends up to B20 meet the ASTM D975 parameters in a
majority of cases. This means B20 is legal for sale in the state to
individual motorists, so long as it meets the D975 parameters.
The
requirement for all finished blends to meet the diesel fuel
specification is only a short-term measure. The B20 Fill-and-Go
specification, when adopted by ASTM, will supersede this requirement
automatically. When ASTM adopts a specification for B100 to be used on
its own rather than in a blend, that will also be automatically
incorporated.
I would like to also clarify one other point from
the article. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is feedstock neutral.
We are supportive of all types of biodiesel as long as they meet the
national specifications.
Scott Hughes
National Biodiesel Board
Sara Knight responds:
I
stand corrected on the National Biodiesel Boards position regarding
feedstock. Otherwise, it seems were essentially in agreement. Although
gaining legislative support, B100 is still officially considered a
developmental fuel not legally certified for public sale.
Sonoran parks
Thanks for the article in the Autumn 2004 EIJ describing a proposal to create a fantastic international park along the US-Mexico border by combining and upgrading five existing reserves into a group of Sonoran Desert Sister Parks. It is a terrific idea.
Your
readers may be interested to learn about another new visionary park. We
are working on a proposal for a grand 3.2 million-acre Maine Woods
National Park and Preserve in northern New England along the Quebec
border. It would be the largest national park in the US east of
California. For information, contact RESTORE: The North Woods, 9 Union
Street, Hallowell, ME 04347, mainewoods@restore.org, or see www.restore.org.
Jym St. Pierre
Hallowell, Maine
Errata
Last issues IMMP report stated that dolphins offered for sale to aquaria command prices of
3,000,000 to 9,000,000 yen. The actual figure should be 300,000 to
900,000 yen.
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