Biotane Updates

11/01/06: Dodge Ram leads the way in promoting use of clean, renewable biodiesel.

Excerpt from "Biodiesel magazine November 2006".

There’s a new breed of Dodge Ram pickups tackling the nation’s environmental and energy challenges, and they’re running on biodiesel.

Representatives from DaimlerChrysler hit the streets of St. Louis recently in the new 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty diesel pickup to make an announcement. Chrysler Group will fuel every 2007 Dodge Ram diesel coming off the assembly line at the company’s Fenton, Mo., plant with B5.

The Dodge Ram’s B5 factory fill builds on a similar program initially implemented with the company’s Jeep Liberty CRD and continued with the recently announced 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD.

“Delivering our diesel vehicles running on biodiesel is a first step in educating our customers about the advantages of this clean, renewable, American-made fuel,” said Deborah Morrissett, vice president of regulatory affairs for DaimlerChrysler. “With an average of 30 percent better fuel economy and up to 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide, modern clean diesel technology can address our fuel economy, oil dependence and environmental issues. Biodiesel can help make modern clean-diesel vehicles even better, while still offering the performance, utility and durability that consumers want.”

The Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500/3500 series diesel pickup trucks are powered by the 5.9-liter Cummins turbo-diesel engine. Beginning in January 2007, the vehicles will be built with the new Cummins 6.7-liter turbo-diesel engine and will meet all federal and state environmental standards.

In addition to fueling each 2007 Dodge Ram diesel with B5, the company has also approved the use of B20 in the Ram for commercial, government and military fleets using fuel meeting the military’s quality requirements.

The experience gained in this test program will contribute toward finalization of a nationwide standard for B20 fuel. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is working with DaimlerChrysler and other automakers, suppliers, fuel refiners and distributors, customers, and research organizations to develop a national B20 standard that could dramatically increase the use of this renewable fuel.

All major original engine manufacturers support B5 and lower blends, provided they are made with biodiesel meeting ASTM D 6751, the existing ASTM standard for pure biodiesel (B100). Although the use of B20 will not necessarily void most engine warranties, the NBB’s goal is to have strong position statements affirming acceptance of the use of B20. Engine and auto manufacturers maintain that an approved ASTM specification for blended B20 is critical to achieve universal acceptance.

07/27/06: The Jeep® Grand Cherokee will be shipped from the factory with a blend containing 5 percent biodiesel in the United States.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.– Chrysler Group announced today that its first diesel-powered, full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) offered in the United States will be shipped from the factory with B5, a blend containing 5 percent biodiesel. The Jeep® Grand Cherokee CRD’s B5 factory fueling builds on a similar program implemented with the company’s Jeep Liberty CRD.

“We are pleased that Chrysler will continue to lead the industry in using B5 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD factory fill,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB).

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee features a 3.0 liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine built by Mercedes-Benz. Clean diesel technology improves fuel economy by an average of 30 percent and reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 20 percent. The Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit and will arrive at Jeep dealerships in the first quarter of 2007. Peter Cremer North America of Cincinnati, OH – certified through the industry’s BQ-9000 quality control program – will supply the biodiesel fuel.

“Biodiesel represents a huge opportunity to address some of our nation’s toughest energy, environmental and economic challenges,” said Deborah Morrissett, DaimlerChrysler’s VP of Regulatory Affairs. “We know this is the right thing to do. The goal now is to develop a national B20 standard that can be universally applied to all diesel vehicles, both on road and in production, to confidently support higher blends of biodiesel such as B20.”

The factory fill is another event demonstrating that engine and auto manufacturers are embracing biodiesel. All major OEMs support B5 and lower blends, provided they are made with biodiesel meeting ASTM D 6751, the existing ASTM International standard for pure biodiesel (B100), although the use of blends higher than B5 will not necessarily void existing warranties.

NBB’s goal is to have strong position statements affirming acceptance of the use of B20. Engine and auto manufacturers maintain that an approved ASTM specification for blended B20 is critical to achieve universal acceptance.

Progress toward a national B20 specification continued to move forward within the ASTM technical committee responsible for specifications that ensure the quality of the nation’s fuel supply. The committee recently approved nine ballot items for improvements and changes to the existing B100 specification. The changes were necessary to move forward on approval of a blended fuel specification for B20.

The changes, which included a first-ever agreement on a stability parameter, were approved an ASTM petroleum products and lubricants subcommittee meeting on June 29 in Toronto, Ontario. Previously, failure to pass a stability parameter was the biggest hurdle to the passage of blended (B20) fuel specifications.

The biodiesel industry received more good news on June 29, when the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the Energy and Water Appropriations legislation that includes $1.5 million for critical testing of biodiesel in future advanced diesel engines.

If the Energy and Water Appropriations bill passes Congress with the funding recommendations intact, it will increase the likelihood of major U.S. automakers approving the use of biodiesel blends in 2007 engines and beyond.

The Engine Manufacturers Association’s (EMA) recent approval of test specifications for biodiesel blends up to 20 percent by volume helps clear the way for engine testing and evaluation. Roger Gault, Technical Director for the EMA, said his members were pleased with the changes made to the ASTM specification, although he stressed the need for continued progress on an ASTM specification for B20.

“We need an approved ASTM specification for blends up to B20, and we hope to work with the National Biodiesel Board to achieve this result,” said Gault. “People are using biodiesel blends in the market, and they are not waiting for ASTM to approve a B20 specification.”

A subcommittee vote on an ASTM B20 specification is likely to happen in December. Final approval for the specification could come at the full petroleum and lubricants committee meeting in June 2007.

At a Biodiesel Summit held in Detroit in May, engine and vehicle manufacturer representatives said they share the goal of approving an international ASTM B20 specification.

According to Rod Lawrence, Quality Control Manager for Magellan Midstream Partners, the blended fuel specifications are a very small piece to the biodiesel quality puzzle. “By far the most important piece is meeting the biodiesel specification D 6751 prior to blending, and the use of BQ-9000 certified companies helps ensure that only good biodiesel is getting into the market,” said Lawrence.

Biodiesel is a renewable diesel fuel that is made from domestic resources such as soybean oil or other domestic fats and vegetable oils. Biodiesel significantly cuts harmful emissions, promotes greater energy independence and boosts our economy. Today, more than 600 major fleets use biodiesel commercially, and more than 800 retail filling stations make it available to the public.

04/25/06: Gov. Schwarzenegger Directs State Agencies to Expand 'Bio-Fuels' to Fight High Gas Prices

In line with his strong leadership in reducing California's dependence on petroleum fuels, Gov. Schwarzenegger today directed several state agencies to take major steps toward the widespread use of renewable energy sources known as bio-fuels. Biofuels, such as ethanol, can be developed from specially grown crops such as corn and sugar, to produce clean, renewable transportation fuels or electricity. Fuels can also be developed from naturally occurring waste, such as rice straw, animal waste and municipal solid waste.

"It is critical that we do everything we can to reduce our dependence on petroleum-based fuels," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "Turning waste products into energy is good for the state's economy, local job creation and our environment. By implementing biomass programs in California, we will help fight critical waste disposal and environmental problems, including the risk of wild fires, air pollution from open field burning, and greenhouse gas emissions from landfills."

The Governor issued Executive Order S-06-06 establishing targets for the use and production of biomass products such as biofuels (liquid) and biogas (gas) as an integral part of California's renewable portfolio standard. To achieve these targets, he directed the California Energy Commission (CEC), the Resources Agency and other state agencies to collaborate, research, promote and identify funding to advance biomass programs in California. The CEC will report the progress to the Governor's Office and Legislature on a biannual basis.

California will produce a minimum of twenty percent of its own biofuels by 2010 and forty percent by 2020, according to targets set by the executive order. Currently, of the 900 million gallons of ethanol consumed in California (which is 25 percent of the entire nation's consumption), only five percent is produced in California.

The executive order also calls for the use of biomass for electricity to reach 20 percent within the state's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals for 2010 and 2020.

The Governor has also made it a priority to develop a self-sustaining solar industry for California. Last year, he introduced the Million Solar Roofs Initiative, which included $2.9 billion in incentives to homeowners and building owners who install solar electric systems. He sponsored legislation to fund the incentive program that rewards the installation of systems in new and existing residential and commercial sites. The Governor worked with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) which is now implementing the program, which will lead to one million solar roofs in California by 2018.

Under Gov. Schwarzenegger's leadership, California has continued to champion policies that reduce the state's dependence on petroleum. To promote the transition to alternative fuels, the Governor led the effort to create the hydrogen highway which will provide Californians with 200 hydrogen fueling stations across the state. Gov. Schwarzenegger has also promoted the Flex Your Power at the Pump program encouraging Californians to use gasoline more efficiently.

03/08/06: Biotane biodiesel is now BQ-9000 accredited

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today announced that Imperial Western Products, Inc. of Coachella, Calif., has achieved its BQ-9000 accreditation. This producer of Biotane biodiesel is now a BQ-9000 Accredited Producer under the National Biodiesel Accreditation Program -- a cooperative and voluntary fuel quality program adopted by both the NBB and the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.

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