Current articles about alternative fuels

Checkoff-Funded Lincoln Exhibit Makes Biodiesel a Part of Presidential Inauguration

Jan 21, 2009 - BiobasedNews.com

ST. LOUIS (January 20, 2009) – Before taking the oath of office today, President Barack Obama retraced Abraham Lincoln’s steps by making the journey from Illinois to Washington, D.C. In the spirit of Lincoln and powered by soybean checkoff-funded biodiesel, the “Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America Tour” mobile museum made this historical 800-mile journey as well.

The mobile museum has been touring the United States since spring 2008 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth in 2009 and will continue its voyage through 2010. The United Soybean Board (USB) and Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) are investing checkoff funds to provide this traveling museum with made-in-America, clean-burning biodiesel to power its journey.

“This partnership has provided a good way to spread facts about soy biodiesel in urban areas,” says Phil Bradshaw, a soybean farmer from Griggsville, Ill., and USB Vice Chairman.
As of last November, the mobile museum exhibit had over 100,000 visitors. The presidential inaugural committee invited it to be a part of “The Presidential Experience” exhibit near the Washington, D.C., convention center. The theme of the 2009 presidential inauguration is “A Birth of New Freedom.” This phrase is taken from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address as the inauguration also commemorates the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth.
This mobile Lincoln museum gives people across the United States the opportunity to learn the story of Lincoln as well as view some items from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. A 3-D presentation of Lincoln’s famous address to Springfield upon leaving for Washington, D.C., is a highlight of the mobile museum and sure to be especially meaningful and timely at the 2009 presidential inauguration.

The biodiesel-fueled unit will be displayed in our nation’s capital during January, allowing visitors the opportunity to learn about our 16th president while witnessing the swearing-in of our 44th president. Museum staff will also be on hand to answer questions and educate visitors about American-made biodiesel, a clean-burning, renewable fuel produced in the United States.
The soybean checkoff helped create and grow the biodiesel industry in the United States. Soybean oil continues to be the major feedstock used to make biodiesel, and the soybean checkoff continues to fund most of the major biodiesel research and promotion conducted by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). Biodiesel production in the United States grew again in 2008, according to NBB, to an estimated 650-700 million gallons.

USB is made up of 68 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.
© 2009 United Soybean Board. All Rights Reserved. [35505 –LS]

CONTACT:
Lisa Cassady
or

Tyler KelleyOsborn

Barr Communications

888‐235‐4332

Key West High Biodiesel Press Release

The Biodiesel class at Key West High School, led by Josh Clearman and consisting of 27 ambitious seniors, is the only one in the nation. They are currently doing a number of things to spread awareness and create biodiesel, while simultaneously enhancing their own spectrum of education and raising money for their cause. Already this year, they have taken exams on momentum and basic scientific principles to incorporate their knowledge of physics with the diverse curriculum. Their class has also done a plethora of fundraisers including an evening at Bottlecap and school-wide candy sales, helping them make money to spend on this new alternative smart fuel. They as a class have a robust understanding of the socioeconomic effects of alternative fuels. The biodiesel class has organized themselves into a small co-op of groups each performing individual tasks to increase their efficiency, including builders, researchers, finance directors, writers, and artists. The class is involved with the Greenpeace student organization, which is a partnership that encourages young people to get involved environmentally.

Everyone has been asking, “What is Biodiesel?” Biodiesel refers to a non-petroleum-based diesel fuel consisting of short chain alkali esters, for the most part produced from vegetable oil or animal fat. In modern day English, Biodiesel is a crispy clean fuel derived from used or unused vegetable oil. It can be made from animal fat as well, but would tend to have complications with certain animal cruelty organizations such as PITA. What kinds of cars would Biodiesel work in? Obviously hence the name, Biodiesel, is only effective in diesel engines. Some Diesel automobiles may need to have few modifications and some can go without it. The only thing necessary for the conversion would be frequent filter changes. Once converted, Biodiesel actually will clean the residue that is left behind from original fuel. As for those restaurants that have numerous gallons of grease to get rid of, it would be a huge weight lifted off of some owner’s shoulders to contribute their waste for free to a good cause like the Biodiesel class at Key West High.

Although solely located on the school campus, the Biodiesel class intends to make a difference in the local community and on a much larger scale. To start things off, they will inform people about alternative fuel sources and potential impact of switching to smarter energy sources. In January, the classroom hopes to turn into a biodiesel manufacturer, making eco-friendly energy an option for the Florida Keys. By initially educating a bright group of young people, the class concentrates on the future. At the rate things are currently going on a global scale, the oil crisis and global deterioration is the sword of Damocles for our century. With the textbook the class is writing, their intention to make biodiesel readily available, and a passion for progress, the biodiesel class hopes to not only take part in a groundbreaking new program but also actively contribute to the green revolution.

We are going to be updating this very blog daily, we hope that you can watch and see how our small class can change the world and the way we look at our fuel system. This is another way of getting our word out to the public about how we are changing the world.