tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34549954940587020732024-03-21T13:20:14.861-07:00_Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10132094780557234167noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-79470439817924678372010-06-07T08:38:00.000-07:002010-06-07T09:29:20.284-07:002010 Spring General Assembly reportWe had 9 people attend the general assembly meeting yesterday and had plenty of lively discussion.<br />1)Treasurer's report<br />2)Expansion Plans<br />3)Future of Fuel purchase and Sales<br />4)Clean Fuel Fund<br />5)A walkthrough to observe fuel transfer process<br /><br />Treasurer Report:<br />Current balance in the coop's account is $10k<br />$5k has been earmarked for the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) grant expenditures for the Clean Fuel Fund.<br />Spent $3370 on 1000 gallons of B99.<br /><br />We are currently spending $30 per month on BGE services (mainly electricity delivery charge) and $50 per month on rent. These costs are covered by the markup we charge on fuel sold to members.<br /><br />Inventory (Assets)<br />3 BBD9000 automated fuel kiosks<br />2 are fitted with solar panels and batteries, ready to place in the field.<br />We also have parts for others that can be assembled.<br /><br />Expansion Plans.<br />2 new locations are being settled with tank, cage and BBD9000 kiosk. <br />Merriweather Post Pavilion (MP, passenger cars and tour buses)<br />Tidewater point (TP, passenger cars and boats)<br />'Aerotank' company has made a doublewall, 1000 gallon tank for us to place at MP.<br />TP has a 2000 gallon doublewall tank in place on the dock already.<br /><br />Several separate action items must be executed to setup MP:<br />Site preparation near the concert pavilion (level area for the tank and cage).<br />Delivery of Tank from Aerotank company, to MP site.<br />Delivery of cage from Ron Thomas (Jewel Welding) to MP site.<br />Assembly and plumbing of BBD9000MP, cage, tank and solar panels.<br /><br />Voted for a July 4, 2010 deadline to have MP up and running. Passed 8-0.<br />Once we have a technical drawing of the tank, Ilya and Paul will try to prefab the pipes for the plumbing job.<br /><br />For TP, setup will also require a steam cleaning of the 2000 gallon tank that is mounted there (it is currently storing waste oil).<br />Cage is being assembled by Ron Thomas (Jewel Welding).<br />Assembly and plumbing of BBD9000TP, cage, tank and solar panels.<br />Bob Brandon and Paul will talk about options for tank cleaning company.<br /><br />Future fuel sales.<br />distribution and purchase.<br />McComas is our fuel distributor. They have a new operations manager, Bob McComas. Bob will only purchase fuel available in Baltimore. We are attempting to purchase fuel manufactured by Clean Green Fuel, LLC, out of Nottingham, MD (White Marsh area).<br />We voted 8-0, to sell B20 at MP and TP sites until we determine demand. <br />We voted 7-1 to run a poll on the BBD9000 to determine demand for other blends.<br />We voted 8-0 to have a formal update on the Molly Pitcher tank truck purchased in 2008, at the July meeting.<br />We are in discussion with Clean Green Fuel to trade kiosks for a truck. we still need a driver of said truck however.<br /><br />Clean Fuel Fund (CFF).<br />Promoting biodiesel use in schools to improve air quality for schoolkids. We are promoting biodiesel use by fundraising to offset the price difference between D2 and B20. Paying for fuel upgrades for school buses, in other words.<br />We may form a CFF 501(c)3 to do the fundraising and followup to the marketing.<br />Cafeteria is being contracted to design a website. We will also ask Drexler for a counter-proposal.<br /> Discussion led to request for widgets that will follow fund-raising efforts in real time, allow coop members to donate by rounding up their purchases. We voted to have an internal meeting to further discuss the marketing approach, passed 8-0.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-57307845080635666312009-08-11T07:12:00.000-07:002009-08-11T07:13:13.776-07:00Fall Board Meeting Agenda10am, August 16, 2009, Mill Valley Center<br /> <br />1. Status of MD state grants<br />2. BBD 9000 sales/lease options<br />3. Legal / entity status update<br />4. Discussion of Mill Valley space<br />5. Planning for winterization<br />6. Recruiting additional board membersWell Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-7902325498634241782009-05-07T11:25:00.000-07:002009-05-07T11:58:44.498-07:00Spring 2009 Board MeetingMay 3, 2009<br />Gellene, Bookhart, Goldberg, Eckley, Rouse and Shepley in attendance.<br /><br />Treasurer's Report-Income generating activities.<br />Focused on activity of 2009. Projected losses, up to $300 per month on average.<br />Breakouts demonstrated that coop spent more than average on fuel to allow research on cold weather behavior and proper treatment. <br />More than average expenditures combined with less than average sales resulted in projected losses. <br /><br />Some unexpected expenditures prompted a vote on legal action:<br />Motion to require board approval by majority vote before any legal firm retained, or employed for coop purposes.<br /><br />Motion carried 6-0.<br /><br />Membership has flatlined over the last 8 months. In that time, the Membership committee has lost two of three members.<br />Motion to offer an executive vice presidency on the board, to a membership recruitment specialist. The new position will be open to candidates from within current membership and from the general public. Candidates will be interviewed by the board in a formal process.<br />Motion carried 5-0, board member had left during motion.<br />Corporate sponsorship by CSBA would be met with free member initiation for all current CSBA staff. This offer will be made by Ted Rouse to a representative of CSBA, Keith Losoya.<br /><br />Motion to allow $600 budget for discussion with legal professionals, to be named later, about entity status (attaining 501(c)12 status) and tax filing.<br />Motion carried 6-0.<br /><br />Grant Proposals were funded. State of Maryland will reimburse ~$11,000 for a Carbon Offset Program and ~$13,000 for Distribution System Development. <br />A retroactive donation of $0.01 per gallon of fuel sold by the cooperative, since the funding of the COP grant, will be realized in an account to be established by the treasurer.<br />We will institute a function on the BBD9000 to allow members to round up the amount of purchase to the nearest dollar, nearest five dollars or another amount, as a choice for every purchase, to the fund. Obviously rounding up will not be required by any member. Participants will be ranked in a list of largest contributors to the Carbon Offset Fund.<br />The fund will allow school buses to run on biodiesel by offsetting the premium for biodiesel fuel, compared to ULSD.<br /><br />BBD9000-2 and BBD9000-3 are being assembled by Ilya Goldberg. 2 will be placed at Merriweather Post Pavilion. 3 is slated for Tidewater Yacht Services and marina, located adjacent to the Domino sugar plant in the Inner Harbor.<br />Extensive site work needs to be accomplished before the BBD9000's can be placed in service.<br />Merriweather requires a tank and security cage be purchased an/or assembled. <br />Tidewater requires a security cage be built- a contact person from the coop is yet to be named.<br /><br />Solar panels for each BBD9000 will collect charge and deposit it in attached batteries, allowing up to 3 days' operation in cloudy conditions. We are considering using the thin film option to allow charge accumulation in grey sky conditions.<br /><br />Fuel supplier during warmer months may be McComas. They have begun purchasing B99.9 from United Biofuels, who is using multifeedstock, non-animal sources. Waste vegetable oil biodiesel has a cloud point between 1C and 3C.<br />320 gallons have been purchased and are 'settling' during algicide treatment.<br />All fuel sold from the Mill Valley location will be treated and doubly filtered before delivery to members' fuel tanks.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-65023415534317526402009-04-01T08:39:00.000-07:002009-04-01T08:43:38.428-07:00Spring is here. So is B100.Hi *everyone*.<br />Nice to see, hear and be all of you.<br /><br />As you know, the cooperative will transition into selling B100 during April.<br />The price when we reach B100. April First: we have ~250 gallons of B50.<br />Should be sold by April 15, according to latest sales trends.<br /><br />Cloud point is 1C.<br />B100 is ASTM6751 spec, made from waste vegetable oil. Waste vegetable oil is a highly sustainable feedstock, already used for food preparation, and this type of recycling keeps tons of grease out of landfills.<br /><br />Treasure the Chesapeake!<br />bye for now,<br />Fuel CzarWell Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-81887383768582897412009-02-22T13:22:00.000-08:002009-02-22T13:31:46.923-08:00New Fuel Filter 2/22/2009We have 475 gallons of B50 treated for albae growth and filtered to 30 microns.<br /><br />I replaced the old filter on the outdoor tank.<br /><br />We have 375 gallons of winterized biodiesel in reserve, so it is time to arrange a trip to United Biodiesel or Keystone to purchase B100.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-89201635581305238112009-02-09T11:31:00.000-08:002009-02-09T11:40:36.599-08:002009 winter blendHey everyone (Andrew. Rich. if there is *anyone* else reading this, please, leave a comment)<br /><br />Our winter blend, B50, is selling at $3.37 per gallon to help pay for several things necessary for the operation of the coop:<br />Totes for transport of the fuel.<br />Truck rental.<br />Algicide treatment.<br />Fuel filters.<br /><br />We are currently renting space inside of Mill Valley Center for storage of the biodiesel fuel. We have over 1000 gallons of B50 at the present time, all treated for algae growth.<br /><br />The 450 gallons we have sold since mid-January was filtered upon transfer from inside the building to the outdoor tank. Algicide was introduced into the fuel, to keep the tank clean and the filters unplugged.<br /><br />The outdoor tank was refilled and retreated this weekend, 2/7/2009, to combat any algae growth. With nighttime temps in the 20's and daytime temps pushing 60 condensation was a real possibility. I believe that filling the tank to the top decreased the amount of condensation.<br /><br />We'll be keeping up with the fuel supply in this manner from here on out.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-58640292964941831782008-06-18T06:49:00.000-07:002008-06-18T07:04:31.634-07:00B100 Pricing for the coop, for membersA local supplier has provided these prices for B99.9 or blended, Biodiesel. the fuel is made from poultry, choice white fat.<br />22April $3.30<br />09May $3.32<br />13May $3.55<br />21May same<br />28May $3.80<br />02June $3.65<br />12June same<br />18June $3.75<br /><br />Road taxes must be paid to Maryland and Federal authorities, adding $0.49 per gallon to the above prices.<br />Our fuel transporter charges us $0.45 per gallon for service, as well.<br /><br />We charge $0.35 per gallon to pay for development and growth of the coop:<br />t-shirts<br />bumper stickers<br />new truck ( which should save us $0.25 per gallon once we're using it)<br />BBD9000 systems<br /><br />Therefore our price of $4.94 per gallon will be changing to $5.04 per gallon by weekend of 6/27.<br /><br />Please note that we offset the preposterous jump in price from May 21 to May 28 by selling B100 that was purchased late in 2007.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-61290025179607789702008-06-17T06:17:00.000-07:002008-06-17T06:24:22.356-07:00Reorganization of the Cooperative501(c)12, tax-exempt, non-profit status<br />1) Board of directors will be elected for 2 year terms, with half of the board up for reelection each year.<br />Board will nominate the officers.<br /><br />2)A draft set of bylaws will be written up and posted here.<br />Our current bylawsw borrow heavily from other successful biodiesel cooperatives: Piedmont and Yokayo.<br />We plan to have all members purchase a share of stock (presumably this will be paid for by the $70 application fee we now charge) and along with it, the right to vote.<br />A quorum will be 10 members for any given meeting.<br /><br />3)Naming of operators<br />Heads of committees will name someone to execute the responsibilities of the committee at short notice. <br />Eventually these may become paid positions.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-32381254266913624882008-06-17T06:11:00.000-07:002008-06-17T06:12:48.897-07:00Outreach to members of note....Steve Howard, Laura Koontz and Frank Lee have been noticed by various committees and board members. We would like to get them involved with marketing and operations in the coming year.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-13373424770234995502008-06-17T06:06:00.000-07:002010-06-07T09:31:38.795-07:00Nominations and electionsNominees:<br />President- Davis Bookhart<br />Vice President- Ilya Goldberg<br />Secretary- Mark Eckley<br />Treasurer- Andrew Gellene<br /><br />All were elected unanimously.<br /><br />Executive Board was named, as follows:<br />Ted Rouse<br />John Shepley<br />Dave Saffell<br />Keith Losoya<br />Paul Kovalcik<br />Carrie Harlan<br />Rich Dean<br />Mare Cromwell<br />Susan SmithWell Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-10686996543527973472008-06-17T05:47:00.000-07:002008-06-17T06:10:40.956-07:00Committee updates1. Technical Committee<br />see BBD9000 <br />Filter has been attached to the tank to continue providing clear fuel to our users.<br /> <br />2. Marketing Committee<br />No report given as Carrie was out sick.<br /><br />3.Finance Committee<br />Discussion of operational costs of truck suggest we need to reapply to Maryland Energy Administration for further grants.<br />>40% increase in sales demonstrates we are using the money they granted us last year wisely and effectively.<br /><br />4.Membership Committee<br />Focusing on retaining existing members by using iContact to send out alerts, bulletins, etc. to keep information flowing from the board to the members.<br /><br />We voted to name Mare Cromwell our operations 'co-head' along with John Shepley. They will assign projects to specific members of the committees.<br /><br />Response team for operations needs to be put in place, with backups available.<br />We proposed an Operations Committee <br />Pay rent- Treasurer<br />Buy fuel-fuel liaison and treasurer<br />Maintenance- any capable member. Currently filter changes have been made by a handful of folks willing to get a little oily.<br />The tank still needs a proper cleaning.<br />No volunteers were ackowledged, any would be welcome.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-80398633210199942232008-06-17T05:28:00.001-07:002008-06-18T06:49:06.609-07:00Old business-BBD9000The BBD9000 is in operational test mode currently. Several board members have successfully purchased fuel at their convenience, outside of 'normal' business hours.<br /><br />Scenarios are being tested- e.g., can a member buy fuel if their membership is not current?<br />Debugging will be complete by end of June.<br /><br />Sales have increased from 2007 to 2008:<br />5 weeks around June 2007 (221, 233, 205, 168, 265 gallons->1092/5= 218.4 gallons per week)<br />Last 5 weeks, June 2008 (225,330,300 215,337 gallons -> 1407/5= 281.4 gallons per week)<br /><br />That's a 28.8% increase in volume. Considering the price has increased from $3.25 per gallon to $4.75 per gallon, (46% increase)<br />sales have increased over 40%.<br /><br />We expect this increase to grow faster with the expansion of hours for the membership to buy fuel, enabled by the BBD9000.<br /><br />Finally we discussed providing the service for running the BBD9000 for other coops and biodiesel sellers in the area. We have learned how to maintain a database of members and keep track of sales, etc.<br />We will set up a virtual domain and website and administer those things for our clients. We can lease or sell BBD9000 machines, or help other groups assemble their own.<br />Ilya had purchased circuit boards with Baltimore Biodiesel enscripted on them and will be working with Rich to populate them.<br />Ilya has purchased a swipe machine and computer and estimates the cost of a new BBD9000 to have decreased to somewhere around $1700, including a wireless modem. <br /><br />Considering fuel pumps that are used at gas stations cost upwards of $10,000 each, the BBD9000 is a really attractive alternative.<br /><br />A business development committtee was proposed. Their job will be to make a plan for distribution and production fo BBD9000's in the future.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-67002750194579620782008-06-17T05:00:00.001-07:002008-06-17T05:27:52.409-07:00Old Business- new Truck ("Molly Pitcher")The tale of Molly Pitcher can be found on the yahoo! group, Charm21:<br />http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Charm21_BioCoop/<br /><br />She cost us $3898 to buy and drive to New Jersey. $1338 to tow to Maryland where we are getting her in shape to pass Maryland inspection.<br />Fuel tank, Transmission, Brakes, Universal Joint, Air Compressor and Tanker pump will all be assessed. <br />The board voted to research buying a new chassis to put Molly's tank on.<br />We will not begin repairs for one month while we look into a chassis for a GVW 44000 pound vehicle, e.g., a heavy duty dump truck.<br />The board will research a gated, secure location for parking the truck, too.<br />Finally, it was suggested that MEA might be able to assist us with the gift of a used truck. Alternatively, we could trade for a used truck with biodiesel fuel. Paying off the truck over time, in effect.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-24103073658600690322008-06-17T04:53:00.000-07:002008-06-17T06:16:54.090-07:00Annual Board MeetingBoard members in attendance:<br />Bookhart and Rouse (co-presidents)<br />Goldberg (vice president)<br />Eckley (secretary)<br />Shepley (Treasurer)<br />Kovalcik, Gellene, Dean, Cromwell (Executive board members)<br />Note-Harlan, Saffell, Losoya, Smith not in attendance.<br /><br />Agenda items:<br />Old business-<br />New Truck ("Molly Pitcher")<br />BBD9000 ('BFD9000')<br /><br />Committee updates-<br />Technical<br />Marketing<br />Membership<br />Finance<br /><br />Reorganizing the cooperative into a democratic, 501(c)12 non-profit concern. <br /><br />Election of board members for 2008-2009<br /><br />Members of note.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-61084490139945729012008-04-25T10:55:00.000-07:002008-04-25T11:03:44.803-07:00Update on Fuel Supply and PricingLast we enjoyed record sales (~325 gallons) while suffering through record high prices ($4.99 per gallon).<br />The pricing was the result of things that we can explain- kerosene price is through the roof, approaching $5 per gallon itself- and things we cannot- why poultry fat biodiesel from United Biofuels, retailed to our supplier at $3.50 per gallon costs us $4.30 per gallon.<br />Alas, the middlemen have us in a vulnerable position and they are not kind with their authority.<br /><br />This summer we will have a 3300 gallon tank truck to use for fuel pickup and delivery. We are becoming fuel distributors. For folks like our brethren in the Washington, D.C. biodiesel community, there will be a kind-hearted middleman available. Us.<br /><br />Maryland Biodiesel would like to sell us B100, so we can adhere completely to our local, sustainable and renewable policy, without any caveats. <br /><br />Bully for us!Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-20737840355132282342008-03-13T06:17:00.001-07:002008-03-13T06:37:14.494-07:00Newsletter from .pdf file....Click on 'images' below to get a larger version of each of the three pages of the newsletter-<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vvk78NAUzXukWRHFERB8yYjGwkkvPzEvtB8HyXxzOHprl1ijB8KfTb7LpIo3Xb0eKlLpP_P6f1FwEQDhZCOmY4_CiHaSxE3AFqM7eJi7lDEGdDY8eX8kjnP057IrAIE0sFto7gXBr5S3/s1600-h/Biodiesel+Bulletin+Vol+1.,+Ed+1..jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vvk78NAUzXukWRHFERB8yYjGwkkvPzEvtB8HyXxzOHprl1ijB8KfTb7LpIo3Xb0eKlLpP_P6f1FwEQDhZCOmY4_CiHaSxE3AFqM7eJi7lDEGdDY8eX8kjnP057IrAIE0sFto7gXBr5S3/s400/Biodiesel+Bulletin+Vol+1.,+Ed+1..jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177218188611445410" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-2y3Me1vKzdaoN8biNU4-3sVKOejxAeAQhWDDUKF0031yGWmWb1rhZkHBBVRNiDopZhGavcdk3x_v0_2vLeUI-qeT3j-vNQTbYJfy4vSd5uHwymwDuCSWGNOizXWshGcuTRekXT5Er4z/s1600-h/Biodiesel+Bulletin+Vol+1.,+Ed+1.2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-2y3Me1vKzdaoN8biNU4-3sVKOejxAeAQhWDDUKF0031yGWmWb1rhZkHBBVRNiDopZhGavcdk3x_v0_2vLeUI-qeT3j-vNQTbYJfy4vSd5uHwymwDuCSWGNOizXWshGcuTRekXT5Er4z/s400/Biodiesel+Bulletin+Vol+1.,+Ed+1.2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177219240878432946" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkf4DkRrlrHS11vzke-AzKoUCU8yslpfhYa8ujXlKHq6PdoXyGAhQOAwlBTuRAz7JyW3fZPmOEs-WgENxN0_6mKhFPZ9LJny0KY8xdMjPQeX48UTZV-67yT4jZDwT5oGzPU0FENrV69kJ/s1600-h/Biodiesel+Bulletin+Vol+1.,+Ed+1.3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkf4DkRrlrHS11vzke-AzKoUCU8yslpfhYa8ujXlKHq6PdoXyGAhQOAwlBTuRAz7JyW3fZPmOEs-WgENxN0_6mKhFPZ9LJny0KY8xdMjPQeX48UTZV-67yT4jZDwT5oGzPU0FENrV69kJ/s400/Biodiesel+Bulletin+Vol+1.,+Ed+1.3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177219382612353730" /></a>Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-80246598285013840922008-03-13T05:57:00.000-07:002008-03-13T06:14:59.424-07:00Agenda for Meeting on 2/5/2008Baltimore Biodiesel Strategic Planning Session<br />February 5th, 2008<br />5 to 7 PM at Biohabitats, Inc.<br /><br />I. Introduction (5:00 - 5:15 PM)<br />• Introductions by attendees…state your name and why you are here.<br />• Overview of the Evening<br /><br />II. Vision Statement (5:15 – 5:45 PM)<br /><br />• Everyone create two bumper stickers that promote, or capture the “essence” of Baltimore Biodiesel (not just biodiesel). Group the bumper stickers according to common themes….Then let the group discuss this briefly to select appropriate themes and pass it off to volunteers who will draft the vision (later). <br /> <br />III. Setting Priorities and Creating Goals (5:45 – 6:45 PM)<br /><br />• Or, write Goals on small pieces of paper and tape them up on a board. Organize and consolidate these into clusters that are similar or the same. Then discuss briefly and vote on these to identify top 5 goals in rank order. If there is time, consider one, three, and five year goals.<br /><br />IV. Specific Strategies (6:45 – 7:15 PM)<br /><br />• Break up into groups. Divide goals evenly between groups.<br />• Take 15 minutes to develop three strategies for each Goal.<br />• Discuss for 15 minutes to determine most appropriate strategies.<br />• Suggest actions for each strategy if time allows.<br /><br />V. Wrap-up (7:15 – 7:45 PM)<br /><br />• Discuss the Vision and Chosen Goals<br />• Determine Group Consent<br />• Approve Strategies<br />• Save Actions and Monitoring for another meeting? Have individual groups (marketing, technical, membership/volunteering, etc.) come up with action items?Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-55227226191565579472008-03-04T08:57:00.000-08:002008-03-04T08:59:59.928-08:00Advocacy, Education and OutreachGoals for Advocacy, Education, Outreach Group<br /><br />1. Attend 4-6 Events this year<br /><br />Actions:<br /><br />-marketing group to explore opportunities<br /><br />-less preaching to the choir and more education to the laymen<br /><br />2. Form Partnerships with political lobbying groups<br /><br />Actions:<br /><br />-explore the best groups to align with<br /><br />3. Educate diesel owners and Biodiesel members<br /><br />Actions:<br /><br />-write article to a trade magazine<br /><br />-conduct workshops on maintenance<br /><br />4. Target Diesel Professionals<br /><br />Actions:<br /><br />-educate diesel truck drivers about the product<br /><br />-align with willing diesel mechanics to promote the coop and educate other mechanics<br /><br />5. Organize the other biodiesel groups/seller/home brewers of MD<br /><br />Actions:<br /><br />-share common interests and lessons learned<br /><br />-act as clearinghouse for biodiesel information<br /><br />6. Build membership and maintain current base<br /><br />Other Goals not discussed:<br /><br />Identifying local sources of fuelWell Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-50326332646472905802008-02-07T10:39:00.000-08:002008-02-10T12:27:40.750-08:00Growth-outreachWe would like to identify government agencies that can use biodiesel. <br />For example, garbage trucks at the Sisson St. dump, next door to the coop, fuel up on petrodiesel onsite. Perhaps Baltimore Biodiesel Cooperative can help them mix their B20. <br />Agricultural diesel users (farmers and land owners) are another target for biodiesel marketing efforts as they tend to use diesel machinery for all manner of daily and weekly chores.<br />Fleets of 10 trucks or so would use up to 50,000 gallons per year. Identifying such a customer could increase biodiesel usage and coop growth significantly.<br />Shep and David will head the subcommittee to reach out to fleets.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-2460739811791700012008-02-07T10:31:00.002-08:002008-02-07T10:47:43.604-08:00Growth-distributionThe coop is considering buying a delivery truck. <br />The truck will allow mobile fueling capacity that can potentially be stored indoors in cold weather, a feature that will help keep winter fuel costs down. Delivery charges will be more than halved if we can go to the 'rack' and drive fuel to Mill Valley ourselves.<br />Painting the truck will give the coop mobile exposure, too.<br />Research has shown a truck would cost $400-$700 dollars per month for upkeep. <br />Membership renewals will generate about $300 per month and new signups will help defray the rest of the costs of operation.<br /><br />Shep, Dave and Ted will head the finance Committee.<br />Their first order of business is to budget the truck for this first year.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-61309773048876816842008-02-07T10:31:00.001-08:002008-02-07T10:31:31.957-08:00Growth-locationsGrowth of the coop was discussed in detail:<br />Last year membership grew to over 90 members. We purchased and sold about 100 gallons per member on average (10,000 gallons). Our bank balance grew to over $10,000.<br />Growth of the coop requires additional locations for sale of biodiesel. For our five year plan, 5 'locations' were enumerated-<br /><br />1)Meriweather Post Pavilion<br />2)Boat Marinas<br />3)Truck fleets<br />4)Towson<br />5)Washington DC<br /><br /><br />The committee identified Meriweather Post Pavilion as a good target site for 2008. Touring musicians may be ideal customers- environmentall conscious, diesel driving folks. The key enabling technology for this expansion is the BBD9000, a credit card swipe machine that identifies members that have registered in the coop's online database. The basic box has been assembled and will be fit onto our existing tank cage by March. Projected fuel sales at Mill Valley are 20,000 gallons for 2008. For Meriweather Post, 10,000 gallons.<br />Boaters of all stripes recognize that petrodiesel is a risky proposition on the bay- Shep and Ilya formed an outreach committee to push biodiesel to fuel suppliers for boaters. Expect about 5,000 gallons to be sold at marinas in 2008.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-32360037206589882552008-02-07T09:49:00.000-08:002008-02-07T10:49:10.826-08:00Goals for 2008.Board Meeting at Biohabitats was hosted/facilitated by Paul, food provided gratis from Woodberry Kitchen, via Ted<br />12 folks in attendance.<br />Meeting commenced with introductions and personal reflection on the coop and biodiesel. <br />We 'visioned' for an hour and formed a subcommittee to formally craft a vision statement.<br />We discussed marketing strategy and physically growing the coop in 2008.<br />Finally we formed subcommittees, effective immediately. All members are invited to contact the chair of a subcommittee they would like to join. Some subcommittees require a volunteer chair.<br /><br />Visioning Statement is being crafted by Mare and Carrie.<br />The group suggested we consider the following concepts: keeping it local, being part of the solution, maintaining fuel that is clean, green and sustainable. Two major goals for 2008: Find a reliable, local source of fuel. Community building<br /><br />Next, we broke into two groups discussing Marketing and Distribution/Financial goals for the coming year.<br />Marketing notes will be posted soon. Briefly, three Subcommittees are necessary; Advocacy, Education and Outreach.<br />Subcommittee (chair)<br />Advocacy (Davis chair) <br />Education (Susan) <br />Outreach to potential members in the agricultural community( requires a volunteer subcommittee chair-your name here).Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-73038502789836683632008-01-12T11:40:00.000-08:002008-01-12T11:46:05.206-08:00Pump Failures (information)The following is information the Rich found on biofueloasis.com<br /><br />full link here: http://www.biofueloasis.com/html/basics.html#ulsd<br /><br /><br /> Possible Fuel Pump Failure in VW TDIs, post '99 Mercedes SDs, or any diesel with an injector pump lubricated with fuel - We've seen a sharp rise in injector pump failures, a previously rare occurrence, since California switched to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) in October 2006. ULSD is causing problems in all types of diesel engines around the country because of its lack of lubricity and seal-shrinking properties. After surveying our customers and talking to diesel engineers and mechanics we've reached the following conclusions: <br /> <br /> How could ULSD cause fuel pump failure? <br /> Injector pump seals: The original formulation of petroleum diesel caused pump seals to swell, and biodiesel swells seals even more. ULSD causes the seals to shrink and harden. Too many changes can damage the seals and the pump will leak fuel and/or suck in air. Most of the failures due to damaged seals have occurred in cars that have run on all three types of fuel. Three or four fuel changes are simply too many. Injector pump seals that are only exposed to two types of fuel, biodiesel and ULSD, are apparently not failing. It is likely that injector pump seals that have never been exposed to the pre-'06 blend of diesel will be OK. <br /> <br /> Mechanical wear: ULSD is very low in lubricity, which is not good for pumps lubricated with fuel. <br /> Both biodiesel and ULSD attract water, and water causes rust, which is abrasive.<br /><br /> Recommendations:<br /> Cars that have run on pre-'06 diesel:<br /><br /> * Avoid running ULSD after switching to biodiesel. If you cannot get biodiesel when you are on the road, add the ULSD when you've still got at least 1/4 tank of biodiesel so that you are running a blend and not making an abrupt switch.<br /> * Use a diesel fuel conditioner, such as Stanadyne, when you do not have access to biodiesel. 3 oz. of conditioner per tank of ULSD will replace the lubricity properties of biodiesel.<br /> * Consider a preemptive injector pump rebuild, especially before a road trip that will take you away from biodiesel sources. A planned repair is a lot less expensive and inconvenient than an unplanned one. The new seals that have never been exposed to pre '06 sulfured diesel will theoretically be less likely to fail<br /><br /><br /> Cars that have not run on pre-'06 diesel, or had injector pump rebuilds after October 2006: <br /><br /> * Current evidence shows no problems with switching back and forth between biodiesel and ULSD, but be cautious anyway. Avoid abrupt switches in fuel types whenever possible; blend fuel types between changes. Biodiesel swells seals and ULSD shrinks them, so switching back and forth can theoretically strain seals. ULSD has only been around for a year - It may simply take more time for problems caused by fuel changes to surface.<br /> * Use a fuel conditioner when running ULSD.<br /><br /><br /> All diesels running either biodiesel or ULSD -- avoid rust:<br /><br /> * Keep your tank full overnight when the days are warm and the nights are cold. Less air in the tank means less water condensation.<br /> * Use a fuel conditioner.<br /> * Add a water separator to your fuel system .<br /><br /> Don't get ripped off If your injector pump does fail! <br /><br /> * First, try switching back to biodiesel. Several people have reported that running at least 30% biodiesel re-swells the injector pump seals and stops the leaking. Let the injector pump absorb the biodiesel for 24 hours or more before giving up.<br /> * Avoid the dealer unless you can get the repair done under warranty. VW dealers typically charge $3k to replace your injector pump and fuel injectors and purge your entire fuel system. The same repair done at an independent garage typically costs half or less of what VW charges. Dealers are also notorious for diagnosing all fuel system problems in cars with biodiesel stickers as injector pump failures, and have recommended $3k repairs when they simply failed to bleed the air out of a new fuel filter.<br /> * If something doesn't feel right always get a second opinion before agreeing to an expensive repair.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10132094780557234167noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-39180045027408314542007-12-27T07:34:00.000-08:002007-12-27T07:47:31.800-08:00Fuel SourcingDiscussion of how to ensure local supply of fuel explored several options:<br />1.Make biodiesel from waste vegetable oil (WVO).<br />This option requires testing for every batch made, to reach ASTM6751 specification. <br /><br />2.Canadian biodiesel<br />This is K50/veggie oil 50 and is not approved for on road use. American Independence fuels has been offering this blend for months, at very competitive prices, below $3.00 per gallon. The secret? Illegally providing untaxed kerosene as fuel. Good intentions aside, American has been fined heftily by Maryland Transportation Authority.<br /><br />3.Fuel from October.<br />Our B100 that gelled upon delivery to our main tank has been transported off site and will be offered for sale when the weather warms up. 'New' price will be $3.26 per gallon for those couple hundred gallons of fuel, in the spring. <br /><br />4.Small truck purchase<br />Trucks under 26000 pounds operating weight do not require the driver to have a commercial driver's license (CDL). Piedmont Biofuels (in North Carolina) ran their coop out of a 1500 gallon truck before the creation of their biodiesel corridor. They now have 7 fueling stations across NC. A truck would lower coop operation costs because we could buy fuel in larger batches, directly from the suppliers. Currently delivery charges of $0.80 per gallon ($320 per 400 galon batch) are incurred every three weeks or less.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454995494058702073.post-20529056328832170522007-12-27T07:19:00.000-08:002008-01-08T11:37:59.298-08:00Fuel CrisisEvery member that filled up on 10/13/2007 has been affected by bad fuel performance. Ilya Goldberg reported his first problem occurred the week before the meeting (week of December 1st), many weeks after filling up with questionable fuel. Ilya used an off the shelf 'Gel Melter' to unplug his fuel filter-he washed the fuel filter with it and was able to drive home. <br />A word of caution to all members that filled up the weekend of 10/13- if you have not run your tank down, close to empty, you may have a very high gel point plug waiting to leave your tank and plug up your fuel filter. Once warm weather hits (somewhere in the 70's) the plug should melt. This fuel is fine for your engine, it just hardens at ridiculously high temperatures (in the 50's). Keeping your tank above 1/'4 full should avoid any problems this winter.<br /><br />The coop has required a certificate of ASTM6751 specification for each batch of fuel we have sold since November.<br />We have tested for water, glycerol, proper pH, as well.<br /><br />The fleet of public buses in Harrisburg, PA has been plagued by similar fuel issues, using a B5 blend. Apparently the high gel point fuel can be traced to B100 made from palm oil and barged into the Baltimore port. B100 from palm oil has a cloud point of 11C (degrees centigrade) or higher and will not be accepted as a source by the coop. We will ensure smooth running by requiring gel point below 4C.Well Lefthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928920997457835179noreply@blogger.com1