Phoenix reportedly creates biodiesel task force

The Arizona Republic is reporting that City of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon has created a task force to "help educate residents on the hazards of skirting permits, codes and existing regulations" to produce homemade biodiesel:

Joe McElvaney, a Phoenix fire protection engineer, said the city requires a permit to handle the flammable and combustible materials used in biodiesel. But many home brewers ignore zoning regulations and waste-disposal requirements.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/11/22/20081122biodiesel1122.html

The story has also been picked up by the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/us/23arizona.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Miscellany

We're in the process of re-launching our website and incorporating this blog into our site, and thus have been holding off on creating much new material on the blog hosted here. In the interim, though, I wanted to touch quickly on a few miscellaneous items:

• We're thrilled to have Dave Conz doing some guest blogging with us. Our original "who's who" post on Dave is here.
  

• The EPA released a new study "Environmental Laws Applicable to Construction and Operation of Biodiesel Production Facilities," found here. (hat tip: Gerry Darosa)

• AZ Biodiesel's launch, and the sale of Amerco biodiesel at Western States Petroleum, is a Huge Friggin' Deal for those of us focused on sustainable regional biofuels in AZ. These two developments combined are really momentous.

• We're looking forward to working with the new City of Phoenix task force on biodiesel homebrew safety. AZ Republic article here.

• Anybody out there on Twitter? I was initially skeptical, but have been enjoying it recently. Many (well, some) of my posts are biofuels-related, if anyone is interested.

• We had the great pleasure and privilege of speaking at the AZ Entrepreneurship Conference this past week. An amazing conference and fantastic group of people -- our deep thanks to the organizers for the opportunity.

• Lastly, here's a photo of the AZ Biodiesel pump (taken this morning):

AZ Biodiesel update: B99 for $2.50/gal

From Dan Rees:

99.9% BioDiesel only $2.50 per gallon

Our pump is now open:
9-9 M-F and
9-1 on Saturday

No appointment necessary.

10% discount on 250 gallons or more and free delivery available. Deposit required for our barrels or totes.

Map of our pump location on our web site:
www.AzBioDiesel.com

Thanks
Dan

Diesels I'd like to see here!

Although Dave's Mercedes-Benz is cool, no doubt, there are a couple current vehicles I really wish we could get our hands on in the US:

Toyota Hilux 4x4
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2008/09/2009-toyota-hilux.html

Subaru Forester AWD
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=131970

Dream Car

Last week, after years of searching, I bought my dream car. It is a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300CD Turbodiesel coupe in Anthracite Gray. The turbo coupes have been in high demand in recent years for several reasons. First, they are the best looking diesel coupes ever imported into the US (The Isuzu Imark and the ultra rare Jetta coupe are the only others I know of), and the turbos were only available from 1982-1985. Second, they look really cool due, in part, to the lack of B pillars (when all the windows are down there are no vertical obstructions, contributing to a sleek look). Third, they are very durable. Mine has over 205,000 miles on it (my '79 300SD has 274,000 and is still going strong) and has been equipped with a Lovecraft WVO system. More next time.

Amereco selling WVO bio in the Valley

James Towner over at http://azsustainability.com/ is reporting that Amereco is also now selling WVO biodiesel in the Valley, at Western States Petroleum in downtown Phoenix.

Unfortunately there is still no mention of it on either the Amereco or WSP websites, but local reporter Daniel Burnette has also confirmed the availability of Amereco's biodiesel at WSP via an article he published last week in the Phoenix Business Journal.

AZ Biodiesel's first customer

Went down to AZ Biodiesel's location in Gilbert today and when I contacted Dan to confirm my appointment, I was told to "bring a dollar bill", since I would be their first commercial sale, and they wanted a keepsake from this significant event in their company's history.

Glad to oblige Dan, and congratulations...

BTW, this dollar was duly deducted from my CC bill :-)

It's for sale !!!!!!!!

That's a quote, by the way.

From Dan Rees:

$2.99 a gallon !!!!!! CHEAP !!!
Cash or most major CC's

By appointment only.
No drop-in's please.

We have 55 gallon barrels available for a $10 deposit each.

You can fill into your own vessel and your vehicle.

Because we are not a regular gas station, we must require appointments.

Email requests are best.
We have very limited staff to answer all the phone calls we get.

We're working on a better way that keeps officials happy and everyone safe and organized.

Thanks for your support!!!

Dan

You can find out more at AZ Biodiesel's website: http://www.azbiodiesel.com/fuelrequest.htm