Biofuels Forum to Focus on Biodiesel And Ethanol for Fleets

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVi) announces
keynote speakers for the Biofuels Drive Economic Solutions Forum to be held
Thursday, September 20, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Michael Caudill,
automotive journalist for KTLA in Los Angeles, and expert on the vehicle
marketplace kicks off the morning with his insightful automotive forecast.
Nationally recognized energy icon, David Freeman is the keynote lunch
speaker. The Forum focus is on biodiesel and E85 and is designed as part of
AFVi's Learning Marketplace to introduce fleets and other decision-makers to
a wide range of information on the fuels, the vehicles, and available
incentives.



"Today this country runs on oil. That must and can change and the vehicles
we love to drive can be just as sexy, roomy, safe and comfortable," said
David Freeman in his book that's due out October 1 called, Winning Our
Energy Independence. The only thing more compelling about Mr. Freeman than
his optimism and clear thinking is his straight-talking candor. Mr. Freeman
rose to national prominence as the head of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
For three decades he ran some of the country's largest municipal utility
districts, including the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and the Los
Angeles Department of Water and Power. He's been an adviser to several
governors, Congress, and former president Jimmy Carter. Currently he serves
as the President of the Board of the Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners, a
position he was appointed to by the Mayor of Los Angeles. His five decades
of energy industry experience combined with his work as a federal energy
policymaker are the core of his acute awareness of the steps that need to be
taken to move away from our fossil fuel culture.



Michael Caudill is the President of Driven Media Communications and car
correspondent for KTLA, the most viewed morning news show in Los Angeles.
Mr. Caudill's varied experiences with automotive media and clients have
placed him in a position for years where he's had his hand on the pulse of
the industry. His observations about the market changes related to
alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles provides insights with
real-time information designed to equip decision-makers with information
that will sharpen their understanding of new market directions leading to
better decision-making regarding cost-effective purchases. Under Mr.
Caudill's leadership, Driven Media Communications has represented companies
ranging from Ford Motor Company to Mazda to Goodyear.



Other speakers include expert presenters representing vehicle and engine
manufacturers, fuel associations, suppliers, users of biofuels, and
high-ranking officials from federal, state, and local government regulatory
agencies. The topics to be addressed are industry perspectives on biofuels,
government policies and incentives, biofuels myths and facts, a product
preview, and fleet users sharing their experiences using biodiesel and
ethanol.



The Forum runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 20. The
registration fee is $199. The fee includes access to Forum materials, a
continental breakfast, and lunch. The Forum will be held at The Orleans,
4500 West Tropicana Avenue, in Las Vegas. The Forum is presented by AFVi and
the lead sponsor is the Las Vegas Regional Clean Cities Coalition. EPIC and
NBB are supporting sponsors. To register, go to the AFVi website and sign up
today. http://www.afvi.org/forums.html



About AFVI

AFVi is an entrepreneurial organization that works through industry to bring
people in need of proven transportation technologies together with those who
can meet their needs. AFVi is the education provider and information link
between the alternative fuels and vehicles industry and public/private
fleets. The primary business of the company is to help improve
transportation energy supply by facilitating market integration of new
transportation fuels and technologies while minimizing environmental impact.
AFVi is fuel and technology neutral.



About Las Vegas Regional Clean Cities Coalition (LVRCCC)

The LVRCCC is a public-private partnership aimed at expanding the use of
alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuels. By encouraging the use of
alternative fuel vehicles, LVRCCC helps enhance energy security and
independence and environmental quality in the Las Vegas Valley. LVRCCC is
one of nearly 100 U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities coalitions
operating in communities throughout the country.



About Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC)

EPIC is a nonprofit alliance of ethanol industry leaders who have come
together to grow consumer demand for ethanol energy through targeted
marketing. Their goal is to reach consumers and key influencers across the
country and educate them on the performance and environmental benefits of
using an ethanol-enriched fuel in their automobiles.


About the National Biodiesel Board (NBB)

NBB is the national trade association representing the biodiesel industry as
the coordinating body for research and development in the United States. It
was founded in 1992 and today is a comprehensive industry association. NBB's
membership is comprised of state, national, and international feedstock and
feedstock processor organizations, biodiesel suppliers, fuel marketers and
distributors, and technology providers.

Jason Berkes
www.jasonberkes.com

China to get New Biodiesel Plant

The new biodiesel fuel plant will be located 15 miles from China Clean Energy's existing facility and will have a land area of 112,744 square meters, with total investment cost estimated at $15.0 million, including land usage rights, equipment acquisition and installation costs as well as working capital. The construction blueprint has been completed and land fill is scheduled for completion by August of 2007. The Company expects to secure credit line approval from local banks by October, when the entire approval process is expected to have been completed. The first phase of construction will add 50,000 metric tons per year of biodiesel fuel production capacity and is expected to come on line before the second half of 2008, while the second phase will increase capacity to 100,000 metric tons per year with expected completion in the first half of 2009. China Clean Energy has signed long-term agreements with major processors from Indonesia and Malaysia to supply palm oil leavings (waste) as raw materials for the new facility.

Thanks

Jason Berkes
www.jasonberkes.com

Biodiesel Plant has formal opening in Vaslui, Romania

ULEROM announced the formal opening of their largest facility in Vaslui, Romania.

ULEROM is one of Romania's largest agri-business corporations.

The 7 million GPY plant is the first biodiesel production facility to operate in Eastern Europe.

The President of Romania, the honorable Traian Basescu, is invited to formally open the facility. The plant is a key element in the ability of Romania to meet the EU's requirement for 5.75% Biofuels based on the country's extensive agrarian holdings. Officials from the American Embassy in Romania were on hand to emphasize the American origin of the plant built by Greenline Industries of San Rafael, California.

"This biodiesel plant is a tribute to international cooperation, the facility was designed in the United States, built in Germany and Romania, and installed by a team from both the US and Romania," according to Adrian Porumboiu, owner of the Racova Group which encompasses ULEROM. "This facility has more than just a business reason to exist; it represents a big step in the direction of energy independence, a logical and lucrative outlet for our crops and a serious playing card in the worldwide battle against warming and pollution."

Jason Berkes

www.jasonberkes.com

Inspectors To Begin Checking Diesel Pumps For Biodiesel

Oregon's Department of Agriculture will start sniffing around Portland's biodiesel pumps beginning this week, to make sure the fuel measures up. Rob Manning reports.

The City of Portland's requirement that all diesel pumps in the city contain at least 5% biodiesel goes into effect in about two weeks.

To enforce the standard, Portland is contracting with the Department of Agriculture to ensure that pumps are, in fact, meeting the standard.

Ag spokesman Clark Cooney says there's not an easy way to do the measurement.

Clark Cooney: "Testing to assure that there truly is truly 5% of biodiesel in the retail motor fuel that the customer sees relies primarily on the delivery documentation from when that fuel was produced, blended, and delivered to the station."

Cooney says there are screening tests, but they're not entirely precise.

Oregon also has enacted statewide biodiesel requirements. But they depend on Northwest producers reaching minimal output levels.

Jason Berkes
http://www.jasonberkes.com/biodiesel