Arizona Alternative Fuel Alliance

This was orginally posted by me on AzSustainably.com.

The City of Chandler Arizona has ordered AZ Biodiesel to cease operations because of zoning compliance issues and refuses to let them operate while these issues are worked out. AZ Biodiesel is a small company making WVO Biodiesel and can’t afford to be shut down while waiting for Chandler to complete this 3 to 6 month process. AZ Biodiesel has the full support of the city’s fire marshal and has been safely producing biodiesel for their own vehicles for three years at their current location. They are located in a light industrial zone which has been approved for biodiesel production in the City of Phoenix. AZ Biodiesel is the only source of biodiesel made from waste oil in the Phoenix area and it would be a huge shame for the city to loose this valuable resource. Please encourage the City of Chandler to let AZ Biodiesel operate while this process is completed by emailing, calling, or faxing them at the address and phone numbers below [AzSustainably.com]

The Desert Biofuels Initiative held a workshop earlier this month that really got the ball rolling for the local biofuels movement. Here are some quotes that came from the workshop.

“…a watershed for AZ biodiesel…”
” …never been at a conference with such broad representation, from corporate, to government, education, NGOs and home brewers…”
“…showed just how important this topic is…”
“…tremendously valuable…”

Check out DBI’s website and Google group to learn more.

http://desertbiofuels.blogspot.com/2008/03/desert-biofuels-workshop.html

http://groups.google.com/group/dbi-workshop

The Desert Biofuels Initiative posted a writeup about AZAFA today. Click here for link.

Their blog is also a must read for the current happenings in Biofuels in Arizona. Check it out. Desert Biofuels Initiative.

“Eating fried chicken wings and french fries might not clean out your arteries, but it actually could help clean up the air, now that two local companies are transforming waste cooking oil from local restaurants into diesel fuel.” Continue on to article at azcentral.com

If you’re curious about the current republican front-running candidate’s views on alt fuel, climate change, and nuclear energy here’s a 23 minute video of John McCain at the 2006 Clean Cities Congress in Phoenix, AZ. Click here for video.

PetroSun and Optimum Biofuels announce plans to build and operate a biorefinery in Coolidge. They plan to generate all their own power, consume no fossil fuels, and be carbon neutral. They also announced that they’ll use algae as their feedstock. Press Release.

Some recent studies published yesterday in Science conclude that the growing of feedstock for biofuels is causing more harm then good. This is discouraging news, but at the same time there is also some encouraging news about developments in friendlier feed stocks such as waste products, algae, and switch grass.

NPR’s Science Friday 2/8/08 discussion on biofuels.

From East Valley Tribune:

The Valley’s first E85 fueling station serving the public has opened in Phoenix. Western States Petroleum opened the station at 450 S. 15th Ave. this week, said owner Bob Kec.

So far most customers have been National Football League officials in the Valley for the Super Bowl, with league vehicles that run on the blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

About 125,000 flex-fuel vehicles are on the road in Arizona that could run on E85, according to the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition, a group that promotes the use of alternative fuels.

Potential E85 buyers shouldn’t expect a regular fuel-station experience.
Read More..

Welcome to our new website! We are here to promote the use of all types of alternative fuels here in Arizona. A map with alt fuel locations is being populated and many more enhancements to the site are being worked on.