Have spent the last eighteen hours thinking about biodiesel. Just drove by Baum Boulevard Automotive yesterday, and they had a sign that said, "Biodiesel Sold Here." I stopped and talked to the owner, Chuck, and he said they've sold a couple dozen five gallon containers. Apparently Export Fuels in Export, PA, distributes the stuff.
About 300 millions of gallons are produced each year — double the amount from two years ago. I'm guessing that less than five percent of all passenger cars are diesel, and from what I've gathered biodiesel serves about two percent of the diesel market. So it will take a while for biodiesel to have a significant impact.
But other factors make the production and use of biodiesel an interesting story, including some interesting home brew solutions. The production and use of biodiesel could mean reducing emissions, particularly of sulfur, diversifying sources, increasing energy independence, and as the President mentioned in the last debate, creating jobs.
Oh, yeah, the exhaust smells like french fries, but I trust American ingenuity to either remove the scent or convince us that it's success that we're smelling.
Posted by mastr at November 5, 2004 09:38 AM