Vegetable oil as fuel lessens our dependence on foreign oil; this is an economic benefit; a national security benefit and promotes community-based recycling.

Say NO to the Grease Police!
HB1322 is a legislation in search of a problem: What specific problem does this bill address?
1. This bill was written on behalf of Valley Proteins, which has a well-documented history of environmental violations. The state of Virginia as well as the EPA have cited Valley Proteins numerous times for regulatory violations. VP is in no position to demand that others submit to additional regulation when they consistently ignore the current laws.
2. Valley Proteins is concerned with grease theft. It is worth noting that there is no difference between theft of grease and theft. Existing laws adequately address property theft; there is no need for a super theft law that applies only to veggie oil. If people are stealing their grease then they should work with local law enforcement, not run to get a special interest law passed.
3. Very little input was afforded from affected citizens; no veg oil users, restaurant owners, nor BD producers were involved in drafting this legislation.
4. If Valley Proteins is losing grease from their barrels, , let them buy padlocks.
5. Who is going to enforce this? The Grease Police?

This is an analysis by Chris Bates. It sums up some of the issues well:

1. The bill was created in response to a single constituent (Valley Protein) . VP has complained that people are stealing grease that should be intended for them. VP generally does not lock its grease collection receptacles and fails to enforce its contracts with appropriate civil action. The clear purpose of this bill is two fold:

A. Reduce competition for this product by criminalizing those issues that should be handled through civil actions. (3.2-5510 A 3) This effectively transfers the cost of enforcement from VP to the state.

B. Reducing competition by creating a complicated system that is relatively expensive to enter and to maintain. (3.2-5509, Application fee, Registration fee, Vehicle marking, added insurance and 3.2 5511)

2. The program is a net cost to the State. It is not likely that the small number of fees collected will defray the cost of VDACS to train and deploy inspectors to insure compliance. There is no provision to defray the cost of local law enforcement to enforce the plethora of complaints that VP is sure to generate.

3. The program has a “lock box “ provision so that it is not likely that fees collected under this system can contribute to the general fund. There is no stated mechanism to reimburse the localities for the cost of collection or administration.

1. It creates another level of government intrusion into what should be private civil matters.
2. It benefits only a very small number of companies by reducing opportunities for others.
3. It adds another tax yet increases the size and net cost of government.
4. It attacks the “green” entrepreneurship that we encourage and, in fact, subsidize elsewhere.

Dear NOVA Biodiesel Coop General Mailing List,

Please consider joining us for our 3rd general information meeting at
2:30 pm Saturday, June 14, 2008.

The location is 9412 Peabody Street Manassas Va. 20110

Please help us make the proper space preparations by RSVPing here:

Hello Everyone,
Just a quick update. We're experiencing some new interest in joining Nova Biodiesel. We have 2 inquiries of people looking to become members and we need to have a general interest meeting for the public (now that we're above $4/gallon for many types of gasoline).

Please register for our newsgroup mailing list in case you have not already and we will be announcing the next meeting time there by this Friday, June 6th. You can register on the newsgroup by clicking on the link the the left under "Providing you Biodiesel Updates".

For NovaBiodiesel.org, Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who contributed! We reached (and exceeded) our $500 goal!

Israel

VW is to release a 69.9 diesel/electric hybrid:

Read more here:
http://gas2.org/2008/03/03/a-biodiesel-prius-vw-to-release-699-mpg-diese...

Here are some pics of the biodiesel set up Eric Hoffmeyer and I built. This is our 5th processor and generates about 30 gallons per run. As we both have small 4 cylinder engines, we don't use much fuel. Follow the Read more link to see the pics.

Please follow the link below to subscribe to the listserv.

http://novabiodiesel.org/mailman/listinfo/nova-l_novabiodiesel.org

The NOVA Biodiesel Interest Group has launched its new website. Watch this space for information as we grow!

Our web site will an online resource where Northern Virginia Biodiesel enthusiasts can meet to:
* Join our list serv
* Post content
* Share knowledge
* Upload pictures of processors, cars and how to diagrams...
* and much more - coming soon.

Hope to see you here again soon!

The NOVA Biodiesel gang.