Kirsten Flynn"s post at treehugger: www.treehugger.com/files/2006/07/ethanol_vs_biod.php

While walking and biking will always beat driving for sustainability, if you have to own a non-electric vehicle then there's no doubt that a diesel vehicle fueled with biodiesel is the least damaging choice. I base this opinion on the data within articles like this one: (http://www.mda.state.mn.us/ethanol/balance.html) which states Summary - Energy Balance/Energy Life Cycle Inventory
Fuel * Energy yield Net Energy (loss) or gain
Gasoline 0.805 (19.5 percent)
Diesel 0.843 (15.7 percent)
Ethanol 1.34 34 percent
Biodiesel 3.20 220 percent

and

(http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Ethanol_fuel_presents_a_corn...)
Emissions from the production and use of corn grain ethanol were 12 percent lower than the net emissions from gasoline; the reduction was 41 percent for biodiesel from soybeans.

At this point, however, depending on where you live, you will probably have to make your own biodiesel as I do from the open source instructions on (http://biodieselcommunity.org). I make 30 gallons at a time from used vegetable oil from a restaurant.

On a commercial level, a great deal of work is going into developing algae as a crop, as there are certain varieties that are 50% oil. The trick to algae production is exposing lower layers of algae to light, as the top layer on a typical pond limits production to the first couple of inches of the algae surface. Field trials to date on algae production include a system of spiraling tubes that rotate the algae crop to expose the lower layers to the sun, grain silos repurposed with tubes and fiber optic light sources to grow a vertical crop, and algae crops utilized to feed on CO2 from smokestack scrubbers on coal-fired power plants.

Biodiesel is not favored by the same interest or level of subsidies that currently support work in hydrogen fuel cells (an absolute boondoggle) and ethanol (a distant second to biodiesel IMHO.) I'd like to see effort brought to bear to gain more attention and funding to this renewable fuel.

If individual automotive transportation is to remain an option in the U.S., at this point in alt-fuel technology the most sustainable option would be diesel-electric hybrids running on biodiesel. In the US, locomotives are already diesel-electric hybrids (although I believe they generally running on petro diesel.) However, in Europe diesel-electric hybrid test vehicles that can get hundreds of miles to the gallon have already been developed.

The technology is already available. We simply lack the will to implement it on a broad scale.

I saw the 11th hour last night, and was prepared to be scared. But, the film had the 'scary message' only for the first half of the film, and then gave us a foundation for hope and actual examples of a sustainable future. The film was presented in the form of 'sensationalist vignette'-(similar to a major news broadcast) mixed with interviews by dozens of recognized experts.

The new messages I gleaned from film is that:
1)We are living on 'dead energy' -fossil fuels- a form of solar energy that was created and stored from past milleniums.
2) We are addicted to consuming this dead energy because we are no longer connected to the earth - we travel at speeds that are unnatural, we live and work in artificial light, and we have no idea where are food and clothing come from. -there is little, if no connection to nature's rhythms. We are looking for a reconnectedness, and the media and corporations are more than happy to supply a substitute of consumption- sugar, alcohol, tobacco, luxury, etc.
3) Being at the top of the food chain, we are huge impact on the planet's ecosystem, and that the world we live in, is actually a reflection of what is inside us.

Are we at the 11th hour? or is it 11:59?

There is a large amount of uncertainty as to when 'Peak Oil' will occur. On one hand, there is Matt Simmons who has declared that the Peak occured in 2005, and at the other extreme are the Oil Companies who won't acknowledge that a peak would ever happen. Who do you believe? How does a person, or a political entity decide which direction to go in? In my opinion, it is best to follow the old adage: "Prepare for the worst, but expect the best".

Put in theoretical jargon, this adage is described as the 'Precautionary Principle"- See the Wiki definition below:
"The precautionary principle is a moral and political principle which states that if an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm to the public, in the absence of a scientific consensus that harm would not ensue, the burden of proof falls on those who would advocate taking the action.

The precautionary principle is most often applied in the context of the impact of human actions on the environment and human health, as both involve complex systems where the consequences of actions may be unpredictable.

As applied to environmental policy, the precautionary principle stipulates that for practices such as the release of radiation or toxins, massive deforestation or overpopulation, the burden of proof lies with the advocates. [8] An important element of the precautionary principle is that its most meaningful applications pertain to those that are potentially irreversible, for example where biodiversity may be reduced. With respect to bans on substances like mercury in thermometers, freon in refrigeration, or even carbon dioxide exhaust from automobile engines and power plants, it implies:

"... a willingness to take action in advance of scientific proof [or] evidence of the need for the proposed action on the grounds that further delay will prove ultimately most costly to society and nature, and, in the longer term, selfish and unfair to future generations." [9]
The concept includes ethical responsibilities towards maintaining the integrity of natural systems, and the fallibility of human understanding.

Some environmental commentators take a more stringent interpretation of the precautionary principle, stating that proponents of a new potentially harmful technology must show the new technology is without major harm before the new technology is used.[citation needed]"

This principle can applied to so-called 'clean coal' technologies, nuclear and any other technology-based innovation. The San Francisco city government has passed laws to acknowledge this principle, in order to protect the public from potentially dangerous technology. Perhaps our local governments should do the same?

Search for 'Precautionary principle' on this site for more information. Also, see www.worldwatch.org/ww/groundwork/ for more discussion.

Washington County Peak Oil
Organizational Meeting
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 (5th Tuesday)

In attendance:
Ed, Peter, Tat, Adam, Katie

Agenda:
-Public Meeting Venues
-Public Meeting topics
-Goals status
-Discuss Washington County Board of Commissioners presentation
-Establishing community outreach approaches

Public Meeting Venues
August 14th -Orenco at Laine Youngs House movie: 'Power of Community'
September 11th- Westside UU Fellowship, Oleson road movie 'End of Suburbia'
Ed responsible for securing site and performance rights, media promotion by August 13th.
-We still need more possible locations for 50-100 people size presentations.

Public Meeting Topics
Suggested topics:
Solar panel installation and economics
Carbon footprint and energy usage workshops PGE
Metro speakers- Master recyclers
Long term impact of cheap oil depletion

Goals status
1.Library of 25 projects- Peter- complete and on website (everyone is welcome to add or sponsor and existing project)

2. Meeting locations (find 4)- Donna by June
We have UU Orenco and probably UU Westside (Oleson Rd), it would be good to secure a site in Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin and Forest Grove

3.Marketing materials and Plan – Donna by July
Materials are complete, it was suggested that a promotion plan is needed.

4. 25 people to book club – Tat by October.
12 people attended the last book club meeting. It was agreed that 12-15 people is an optimum size for group interaction. If more than 15 people attended the meeting it was recommended that the group be split up in smaller discussion groups no larger than 12 people.

5. 10 min presentations to city governments- Peter- by August
This goal has changed to a 20 minute presentation to Washington County. Peter is perhaps 75% complete with the draft presentation, with rehearsal presentations to be scheduled. Peter anticipates getting a presentation scheduled by October. This is very exciting! Dick Schouten is definitely active with our topic, and can be considered an ally to get effectively get the message out.

6. Identify structure change project- not assigned
We weren't sure what this was about – Possibly non-profit status. Ed is responsible for 501(c)3 application and Federal ID and open bank account – By October

7. Identify 40 groups to present to between Beaverton/Tigard and Hillsboro with contact name, phone number, address, meeting days and times. - Tat- by July
Tat mentioned that she needs help with this. Everyone should contribute 5 organizations (should be a meeting of at least 30 people ) that they would be willing to give a Peak Oil presentation to. -By October
suggested possible groups: Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, CPOs, 4-H, BTA, Chambers of Commerce, OLCV

8. List of public outreach addresses- Ed
A pdf file of Washington County elected officials with email, phone and address has been added to the website at the 'downloads' page. In addition, a newspaper, radio and media word file has been added to the same location.

New Goals
1.Meeting coordinator checklist. A checklist on running a public meeting. Site scheduling, media notification, A/V, site set-up, QandA suggestions.
No sponsor, No due date.
2.Public Access TV – Sponsor and present 'Peak Oil TV' Each of the attendees agreed to sponsor a $20 episode purchase. Adam will research public access production logistics- by October
3.WCPO Peak Oil powerpoint presentation. A 30 minute summary presentation that can be given to civic organizations. This will be adapted from Peter's Washington County Presentation.

Next Organizational Meeting: Tuesday, September 18th Ava's 7pm?

After spending several weeks reading the latest Peak Oil literature, I am curious why the Department of Energy, OPEC and the Oil Companies could report 'reserve data' the way they do, yet have 'production shortages' and report forecasted prices as relatively stable until 2030.

EIA price forecast:(actual price 7/07 approx$75/barrel)

Imported light crude (2005 dollars per barrel)        2007       2010       2015        2020      2030

                                                                             $66.71     $57.47    $49.87   $52.04    $59.12

source:http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/aeoref_tab.html

Assuming that the mission of an oil company is to maximize shareholder value, I went back to understand the economics again. Currently OPEC produces 70% of worldwide petroleum, so there is no real 'competition' from the supply side of the equation. It is in the producer's interest to always slightly undersupply. In that way, consumers of the commodity will always be bidding prices to the highest possible value.  There is nothing to motivate the producer to oversupply the market other than to maximize demand and price.  On the other hand, to overprice the commodity would lower demand, decrease GDP and underutilize the potential oil profits. 

This is why, I believe the EIA has reported forecasted prices as relatively stable until 2030.  They assume that nominal prices as currently reflected in the market 'are at equilibrium' to maximum demand.  China and India's demand is yet a wildcard however.

There is currently no 'perfect market' when it comes to the oil commodity.  We do not know the true reserves, and there are no suitable alternatives to petroleum for transportation.

Hi Everybody!
I'm going to start blogging my adventures as a vegetable gardener and as new owner of 4 goats, 4 chickens, and 3 cats. I would like to get a couple of dogs soon. Perhaps a Blue Heeler and an Australian Shepherd.. we'll see what happens!
I start adding photos of the garden and animals, and will provide some stats on the type of production I'm getting from the goats... I hope to making some yogurt!
I had a nice work session with Juvencio at La Finguita del Buho (www.finquita.com) which is a local CSA of which I'm a subsciber. We weeded five to six vegetable beds, and he showed me how to work his awesome Honda rototiller. He is going to let me borrow it as well- man, it's going to make gardening sooooo much easier.
Anyway, cheers for now!

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