Water Education Foundation
This is just one post in the Biofuels Category
Click here to view all posts

New biofuel rules expected to hamper fledgling green industry

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 6, 2009 at 7:46 am

From the San Jose Mercury News:

In a move they said would reduce the risk of water pollution, but which critics worried could hamper a fledgling green industry, California regulators on Tuesday approved new rules that ban storing certain types of biodiesel in underground fuel tanks.

By a 3-1 vote, the State Water Resources Control Board said that gas stations, fleet yards and others who distribute the increasingly popular “green” fuel can only store biodiesel blends of up to 20 percent in underground tanks, even if the tanks are double-walled.

Biodiesel is a fuel made from plant oils animal fats that can be used in diesel engines. There are various blends: So-called “B20,” for example, is made with 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.The goal of the new rules is to protect against leaks, board members said, until the tanks can be properly tested, which could take two or three years

But biodiesel advocates said the rule will reduce sales of biodiesel across California. “This is stupid. It’s a step backwards,” said Chris Bellizzi, who runs Bellizzi Tree Service in San Jose. “It’s like they are picking on us. We are trying to do the right thing.”

Read more from the San Jose Mercury News by clicking here.

May 6, 2009 · Filed Under Biofuels

Comments

Leave a Reply