Biodiesel Draft 2 (very rough)

Washington has done much in the last few years in terms of legislation for a greener state. Many of these initiatives involve the implementation of biofuels on a larger scale. This biofuel market has the potential to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reduce harmful emissions of greenhouse gases. But, current economic and other market trends are making the transition a difficult one.
Perhaps the best known form of biofuels is biodiesel. Biodiesel is a non-petroleum renewable fuel that is produced by processing vegetable oil. Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum to make a mixture or be used in its pure form. It can be used in any diesel engine with only a minor amount of modifications.
Biodiesel not only is a renewable fuel source but it produces on average less than half the number of the harmful greenhouse gases produced by regular diesel. Biodiesel is cheaper than regular diesel, better for the environment and is a renewable fuel. However, this wonder-fuel does have its downsides.
One of the biggest issues facing the biodiesel market here in Washington is the global economy. Currently, the Grays Harbor Facility receives much of its feedstock from Canada. Unfortunately, the price of vegetable oil worldwide has increased between 100 to 200 percent in the last year. This in turn has greatly slowed the growth of the bio fuel industry. In an article recently published by the Tacoma News Tribune, Imperium Renewables Inc., owner of the Grays Harbor Facility, halted a $345 million project to build four new facilities. The article also attributed that the facilities main source of feedstock is supposed to be produced by Eastern Washington farmers, but that aspect of the market has not materialized yet. Eastern Washington farmers can’t compete with the larger, more well-established markets to the north and east. John Plaza, president and founder of Imperium Renewables, operator of the Grays Harbor and Seattle biofuel plants, says that he would like to Washington farmers to provide much of the feedstock needed. Plaza also says that there isn’t a market at the moment in Washington. Not enough crops are being produced at a cost that can compete with the global market.
Though biodiesel is much more environmentally safe than its petroleum counterpart, it still raises issues. Many Indonesian and South American countries are cutting down large amounts of rainforests in order to make room for feedstock crops. This results in the permanent loss of habitat for animals and causes erosion on a massive scale. The price at which some of these crops are being maintained is too much to make the final product worth it.
Although the food market has made marketing bio fuels much more difficult, the qualities they have still render them a valuable asset to Washington State and the world. Bio fuels contain no petroleum, but can be blended with other petroleum products to create a mixture. They can be produced using renewable resources and are non-toxic. The National Biodiesel Board states the biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Many of the harmful greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Nitrous Oxides and Sulfur are often reduced around 50 percent or more by pure biodiesel compared to petroleum diesel.
The potential for a strong bio fuel industry here in Washington is great. However, current economic trends are proving it difficult for commercial and state entities to move forward. If a solution can be reached that would allow the industry to expand, the repercussions would be profound. Bio fuels have the potential to bridge the gap between our dependence on foreign oil and the ideal day where our impact on the climate nears zero.

Hurrican Katrina Photo Response

The photo that has the most symbolism regarding the entire scope of the aftermath of Katrina is the photo with two elderly women wading through waist high water. In the background there is a Military vehicle sitting on dry ground with troops atop of it and they seem unaware of the two women. To me this epitomizes the suffering of the victims and the lack of response from the government.

Biodiesel Outline

3 Main Questions:

Why isn’t biodiesel being implemented more effectively into the Wash. State economy?
Several aspects, on a state and global level, are slowing the production of biofuels in Washington. Washington State has passed legislation giving tax breaks for the use/production of biofuels and other bills that will require a certain percentage of biofuels to make up the total of fuel consumption in the state. However, the more substantial of these bills, where biofuels will make up a percent of total fuels sold will not go into effect until 2009. The state is making efforts to lessen its dependency on fossil fuels and its negative impacts on the climate. However, the increase in food prices has slowed the production of biodiesel. This has also made it more difficult for farmers in Washington to compete with Asia, Canada and the Mid-West over feedstock prices. John Plaza, president and founder of Imperium Renewables, operator of the Grays Harbor and Seattle biofuel plants, says that he would like to Washington farmers to provide much of the feedstock needed. Plaza also says that there isn’t a market at the moment in Washington. Not enough crops are being produced at a cost that can compete with the global market.

What is happening to the feedstock crops being produced in Washington?
Are they being sold to Europe? Current speculation projects that Europe may ban the importation of some imported biofuels (primarily palm oil) in reaction to their deflating economy. What is being done, if anything, to stimulate the growth of the eastern Washington feedstock crops? Can the local, national or global market support this fairly recent economy?

Is biodiesel (biofuel(s)) really as good for the environment as predicted?
The numbers don’t lie. Years of testing and analysis have proven that biodiesel reduces nearly all the harmful chemicals released by regular diesel by half. That means serious reduction in greenhouse gases, which is at the top of the priority list for most local and national government. Not only does it produce less than half the harmful chemicals than diesel, but it is a renewable fuel source. Biofuel can be produced from any number of crops (corn, soy, palm, rapeseed…), of which some can be harvested in little as six months. However, farming itself, is harmful to the environment. The worst of this is taking effect in areas like Indonesia and some of the southern Americas. Millions of acres of forests are being cleared to make way for feedstock crops. This causes irreversible loss of habitats for thousands of species, many of which are endangered. It also greatly increases the erosion processes.

Any comments or other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Colby Farvour