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Michigan House Bill  4235 (2005) would mandate 2% BioDiesel Statewide
Representative Neal Nitz has introduced a bill to the Michigan State House in which nearly all of the diesel fuel sold in the state of Michigan beginning in 2007 would require 2% biodiesel.

Biodiesel fuel reduces our dependence on foreign oil and helps farmers by using a renewable resource. It is better for the environment, can reduce vehicle maintenance costs, adds lubricity into the low sulfur fuels on the market, and does not require vehicle modifications.  click here for info on HB 4235

Minnesota Law Requires 2% Biodiesel Statewide - Story on NPR
(note: the high lubricity of biodiesel is wonderful for diesel engines)

School Districts are Using BioDiesel 
St. John's schools found that reduced oil changes from biodiesel was a NET cost savings (including the higher cost of B20 biodiesel fuel).  Read this article

From fryer to fuel tank: U-M students reclaim waste grease as renewable fuel
University of Michigan engineering students demonstrated that junk food does have a good side?  It can be used to make biodiesel fuel for U-M buses. For their environmental sustainability course, a student team demonstrated that it is economically and technically feasible to harvest the 10,700 gallons of waste grease produced in the 10 campus dining halls to make an effective biodiesel fuel, which they produced and then tested out on a small U-M tractor. The University purchases 60,000 gallons of biodiesel per year for its diesel bus fleet; replacing 10,700 gallons of that purchase with waste grease will achieve an estimated $28,000 annual cost savings. Savings could be increased to about $150,000 by incorporating waste greases from the University Health System cafeterias and area restaurants.

Make Your Own BioDiesel

Retail pump at BP station located at Will Carlton exit of I-275, just West of Flat Rock
Click here to learn how wasted vegetable oil can be transformed into a clean, renewable fuel to be used in any diesel engine.  All modern diesels can used biodiesel directly with no modifications and similar operation & performance to dinosaur diesel.  In the US, soy-based biodiesel is gaining prominence as a 20% blend (B20) to add lubricity back into diesel fuel as sulfur is phased out.  Sulfur was reduced from 5000ppm to 500ppm, and is scheduled to be scaled back to 5ppm in 2006.

BioDiesel, VW, and Diesel Forums
Where to Buy BioDiesel in SE Michigan ?
  • BP station, Walz, MI on Will Carlton 200 yds east of I-275  B20
  • Wacker Oil, Manchester   B100 & blends
  • Karbowski Oil, Bay City    B100 & blends
  • Meijer Gas Stations: Ann Arbor, and now Auburn Hills (by M59 & Adams Rd)
Links

Biomass Energy Center

Buyer's Guide to Small Biomass

Videos of Systems

Small Commercial Boiler in U.K.

6 MMBTU Boiler in Vermont

10 MMBTU Boiler in Michigan 2008

Central Michigan University

40 MMBTU Boiler Plant in Ontario 2007

Wood Chip Power Plant, McBain, MI

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