Alternative Energy

[jay]

Has anyone considered using the brewing equipment at the former B&O Station Brewery to make ethanol fuel?  This could be a demonstration project.  The fuel could be used in the city's vehicle fleet.

[AllanY2525]

I'm not certain what tax credits may apply to people who buy and use biodiesel, but
the website link I posted above might answer some of those questions.

I think the automobile manufacturers should get together and come up with a
diesel/electric hybrid vehicle - it would probably get measurably better fuel economy
than current gasoline/electric hybrids, and with a mixture of biodiesel and conventional
diesel fuel in the tank it would not make nearly as much pollution as a conventional
all diesel vehicle. 

[jay]

Allan,

Is there a federal tax credit for using biodiesel?

I understand there are certain tax credits for purchasing an electric vehicle and for installing alternative sources of electricity.

[AllanY2525]

Jay,

Used cooking oil would have to be refined in order to use it for fuel, but
there are some older diesel engines out there that can run on pure
vegetable oil, provided it is "pre-heated" before sending to the fuel
injection system in the vehicle.

The guy that invented the original diesel engine had intended for it
to run on peanut oil.

[jay]

I heard of diesel cars running on cooking oil.  I would be willing to save my waste cooking oil for anyone who could use it for an alternative fuel.

[AllanY2525]

For those who are interested in Biodiesel or just want to better understand
what it is, how it works, etc... here is a great website:


www.biodiesel.org

[AllanY2525]

Another interesting article on alternative fuels:

-------------------------

TAFT ANNOUNCES ALTERNATIVE FUEL INVESTMENT

ODOT to use alternative fuels to power heavy equipment, cars
For Immediate Release September 20, 2005

COLUMBUS – Governor Bob Taft today announced that after a successful pilot program, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now fully integrating alternative fuels into its fleet. By executive order, the Governor asked ODOT to use at least one million gallons of biodiesel fuel and 30,000 gallons of ethanol per year, and to purchase only new cars that are able to run on both unleaded fuel and ethanol.

"Today Ohio is taking a major step forward in the state's commitment to biofuels, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, decreasing emissions and increasing opportunities for the Ohio biodiesel and farm industry," Taft said. "ODOT's pilot program has been a success for everyone and we will continue to make the increased use of alternative fuels a priority at the state and local levels."
ODOT uses about four million gallons of diesel fuel a year to fuel its 4,200 pieces of heavy equipment that can run on biodiesel or diesel fuel. The equipment includes pick-up trucks, dump trucks (snow plows) and off-road equipment. Due to recent advancements in production, biodiesel has become more economical and is nearly equal in cost to conventional diesel fuel.

"Thanks to the governor's leadership, ODOT has been testing the use of alternative fuels since 1999," said ODOT Director Gordon Proctor. "We are ready to make a seamless transition to using at least one million gallons of biodiesel fuel each year, in addition to other alternative fuels such as ethanol."
In 1999, the governor asked ODOT to develop a pilot program to purchase $1 million worth of alternative fuels for use in the ODOT fleet. Since then, ODOT has used 1.2 million gallons of biodiesel fuel, for a total of about $1.6 million.
As part of the pilot program, ODOT installed an ethanol tank in Columbus for use in sedans and small cars. At the same time, it began acquiring flex-fuel passenger vehicles that can operate on either normal gasoline or fuel blended with high levels of ethanol. ODOT now owns 193 flex-fuel vehicles and requires that all new sedans purchased are flex-fuel. As part of the governor's initiative to further invest in alternative fuels, ODOT will now add an ethanol tank as it constructs new district offices around the state.

In the early stages of the pilot program, ODOT dealt with some setbacks in using biodiesel that caused the fuel to "gel" in the wintertime as well as some plugging of equipment filters. Technology has advanced far enough to overcome these problems and ODOT has not discovered any limiting factors that would prohibit the widespread use of alternative fuels.

"We are proud to be able to assist in spearheading the initiative to fully integrate alternative fuels into the daily routine of state agencies," said Proctor. "In the past, alternative fuels were cost-prohibitive compared to regular fuel. The rising cost of traditional gas and advances in technology in the production of alternative fuels has made them much more competitive in Ohio ."

[AllanY2525]

Here is a recent news article about Biodiesel fuel and Ohio's Agricultural
business that speaks directly to my idea about starting a Biodiesel processing
plant in Youngstown.

I still think that Youngstown would be the PERFECT location for such an
alternative energy plant because it has all of the natural resources that
would be needed.  These include lots and lots of farm land within a short
distance,  working railroads, and former industrial sites where the steel mills
once stood that could be re-used for businesses like this. 

-------------------------------------

TAFT HIGHLIGHTS SOY-BASED BIODIESEL DURING
OHIO'S ANNUAL AGRICULTURE CELEBRATION

CINCINNATI ( March 22, 2006 ) – Governor Bob Taft, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey and local leaders today celebrated the promise of biofuels to commemorate Ohio Agriculture Day in Cincinnati. The day included a tour of a biodiesel processing plant, which produced the most biodiesel in the U.S. in 2005.

Taft and Dailey highlighted a special business partnership between Cincinnati-based Peter Cremer North America and DaimlerChrysler. Thanks to that partnership and Ohio farmers, all new Jeep Liberty vehicles with diesel engines produced in Toledo will be fueled by soy-based biodiesel when they are driven off the lot.

"There is huge potential in Ohio for the use and production of biofuels and other forms of green energy," said Taft. "Right now, we are just scratching the surface, but Ohio farmers – along with companies like Peter Cremer North America and DaimlerChrysler – are paving the way for a better future for our state."

Biofuels and other renewable forms of energy are a practical answer to some of the biggest challenges in Ohio today, including energy security, economic stability and a clean environment. Biodiesel burns cleaner, offers higher lubricity, is easier on the environment and requires no special modifications to existing diesel engines.

It is also a new, lucrative market for Ohio farmers. One bushel of soybeans can produce 1.4 gallons of soyoil, which can be blended at a 20/80 percent ratio with diesel to create soy-based biodiesel. A study completed in 2001 by the USDA found that an average annual increase of the equivalent of 200 million gallons of soy-based biodiesel demand would boost total crop cash receipts by $5.2 billion cumulatively by 2010, resulting in an average net farm income increase of $300 million per year.

"Ohio Agriculture Day is about educating people on how this important industry touches all of our lives everyday, whether we realize it or not," said Dailey. "Agriculture is about more than just keeping food on the table, and clothes on our back – it is about the ability to be self-sufficient and enjoying a good quality of life through the jobs and commerce opportunities it produces."

The event, which was held in conjunction with National Agriculture Week (March 19-25), is part of a national effort to improve understanding between producers and consumers and outline the positive impact agriculture has on the nation's economy and quality of life.

[jay]

Are there any citizens' groups in the valley working to promote alternative energy?  I think our area should get started on a program to develop sources of renewable energy.