Feb 28: In mid February, we ran out of out stock of B20. ;-(

This is bad, because we want to use biodiesel! B20 is fine for use during the winter (We still have B100 in storage; but I wouldn't  recommend using it at this time of year-it gels at low temperatures).

It's also good! because we have the opportunity to blend biodiesel with the lower-cost petrodiesel available now.

We will be making some changes to the Mobile Biofueler (at right), and moving its location. Check back frequently, or sign up on our email list (at far right) t okeep notified of our current supply situation.

Sept 2008: Montana-made biodiesel from Earl-Fisher Biofuels in Chester, MT. the biodiesel is made from a blend of safflower and sunflower oil. It is very light in color, and the exhaust smells great! The current price for B100 is $5.25/ gallon.

To purchase biodiesel, you need to be a member. Join by visiting our membership page to download an application; or call Jim (579-0876) or Elichai (222-7964).

If you are already a member, you can purchase biodiesel by:

Several years ago, biofuels in general and biodiesel in particular, appeared to the green solution to America's energy problem of reliance on carbon-intensive petroleum fuels. Environmentalists, farmers, politicians, and national-security wonks lined up in support of the biodiesel energy solution.

It was too good to last. In early 2008, a study lead by Timothy Searchinger, a Princeton lawyer, made the claim that biofuel production resulted in higher carbon emissions. The study made some serious assumptions about where biofuel feedstocks came from, inaccurately ascribed environmental costs to its production.

Much of the inaccurate estimations comes from what's called Indirect Land Use Changes . The study assumed that all biodiesel produced would come (either directly or indirectly) from clearing tropical rainforest. Because rainforest has the ability to absorb and store so much carbon, this represented a net addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. In fact, much new agricultural production capability comes into existence simply through more efficient farming techniques. Since WWII, this has increase crop yields at a rate of several percent per year.

 Furthermore, oilseed crops are often grown in rotation with other crops. Camelina can be grown in rotation with winter wheat- rejuvenating nutrients in the soil.The other optioin is to leave that land fallow and bare, exposing it to drying and wind.

The oil from oilseed crops is often the by-product of what the farmer is actually making money at. For example, most oilseed crops are crushed pressed intoprotien rich cake, which is fed to animals, and the oil itself. The oil has been considered a waste product, which has to be shipped off to a distant location and sold at a relatively low price. A more efficient use would be local reprocessing into biodiesel.

An argument heard during the food inflation of 2008 was that biofuel production was driving up the cost of food in developing countries- but this is also incorrect. Since last summer, the costs of producing have plummeted, biodiesel plants have been temporarily closed due to high feedstock (oilseed) prices, yet food remains at astronomically high prices, and yet the profits of grocery conglomerates has soared. Is the free market really at work here? Or is food price maniplation going on?

The Searchinger study also made assumptions about scaling biodiesel production up to meet all of global demand- hardly realistic given today's technology. In the future, perhaps, algea-based biofuels will allow biodiesel to resolve; for now, the National Biodiesel Board has set a goal of 5% of the nations biodiesel by 2015. Currently,  U.S. biodiesel factories could produce biodiesel from agriculatural land of about 5 million acres- about twice the size of Park County.This is hardly a huge displacement of food production.

Admittedly, aggressive biofuels mandates in other countries (e.g. Germany) have driven environmental desctruction in developing countries (e. g. The Phillipines). This is a good lesson to proceed carefully and righteously. But biofuel policy does not automatically demand unsustainable agriculture. Rather, all truly sustainable energy solutions are local. The Park Biofuels Coop prides itself on selling Montana-made biodiesel produced from either waste vegetable oil or in-state grown oilseed crops.Taking responsibility for our energy means nether exporting our production (and problems) overseas; nor does it mean exporting the problems to the future (as petroleum fuels do).

Biodiesel does not promise to solve all our energy problems, everywhere; forever. But it can help with some of them, here, now.

Yesterday evening I re-mobilized the biofueler. i.e.- I transferred the fuel from the plastic tote to the metal tank, which is mounted on the trailer. The metal tank, rather than plastic, makes it much safer to transport. For the time being, the biofueler is still in the Wineglass at the same location.

The biofueler is "cute." The new paint job, working on the wheel well ( so that we have the same size tires on both sides, and it rides level!), the metal tank, and plywood floor all give it a sturdy & rustic look.

All right! I think we are ready to take the biofueler out on the town! I didn't have it ready in time to take to the Farmers market yesterday; but there is also the Friday morning Farmers market (tomorrow), next Wednesday (and Wdnesday for the rest of the summer...), and the Fourth of July Parade.

Our biofueler looks nice, but there are a couple more things that it will need: The tank could still use a coat of silver paint ( we tried yellow, tan, etc... but nothing looks as good as the silver. Also, I think the tank needs a big BIODIESEL painted across it. I also have stick on letters for the side of the trailer- enough to spell "PARK CO. BIOFUELS COOP". We can look at doing this at or before the next Wednesday Farmers Market. We are ALSO looking at getting magnetic stickers for the trailer or a vehicle.

In addition, Amber F. is graciously becoming Queen of the Parade. She is planning our float and displays for the 4th of July Parade, comin up quick!

Park County Biofuels Co-op is dedicated to the distribution, promotion, and local production of oilseed based fuel in Livingston and Park County, MT. We became certified as a Co-Operative Association In July, 2007.

PBCB's first step is act as a biodiesel purchasing agent for its members.

Our big project right now is designing, funding, and building a mobile biodiesel fuelling trailer. This trailer would be parked at a Livingston-area business where members could come and access it to fill up on fuel. This would be much more convenient for members; it would increase the visibility of PCBC and biodiesel in general.

PCBC stands by the idea that getting drivers, equipment operators, and farmers accustomed to using biodiesel is an important first step in building a market for biodiesel in Park County, and eventually establishing a local biodiesel production industry.

When consumers can use biodiesel, they will become more aware of it advantages:

1. Improved emissions: biodiesel emits less Air toxics, Carbon monoxide, and Hydrocarbons than petrodiesel.
2. National Security: when buying biodiesel, the money goes to American farmers, not totalitarian regimes, or Middle East terrorists.
3. Global Warming: biodiesel is made from crops that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, meaning that it does not contribute to global warming gasses.
4. Engine Lubricity: Biodiesel lubricates injection pumps and the rest of the engine better than normal diesel, particularly the new Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel.

Increasing awareness of the benefits of biodiesel happens when people can use it directly in their own cars, trucks, and equipment; and we view this as the most important first step towards building a biodiesel market and industry in SW Montana.

Become a member/owner of PCBC today!

Download membership form.

in Livingston: PCBC Members can purchase biodiesel from  the Mobile Biofueler, our mobile fueling tank. Visit our membership page to join!

Around Montana:  The Montana State DEQ has a webpage that shows all the biodiesel retailers in the state. We're listed there!

In the U.S. : You can look on the National Biodiesel Boards website for a nationwide map of biodiesel retailers. Click on each state to see the distributors in that area.