Rob Elam, biodiesel buff, answers questions 0

Rob Elam.

What work do you do?

I'm a cofounder of Propel Fuels, a biodiesel services and distribution firm. Biodiesel is a vegetable-oil based fuel for diesel engines. Using it significantly reduces greenhouse-gas and particulate-matter emissions.

What does your organization do?

Our mission is simple: fill tanks with biodiesel. We're approaching this in three ways: 1) helping retail station owners get biodiesel pumps up and running, 2) providing consulting services for businesses to help ease them into biodiesel use, and 3) offering design/build services on the production side. There's a lot of confusion and bad information when it comes to biodiesel. Businesses should be making decisions based on quality information, and consumers deserve a choice.

What long and winding road led you to your current position?

I've always had a passion for the outdoors and a sense of stewardship. My grandfather taught me to fish for trout when I was a kid, in the Sierras. My fondest memories and best friendships all share a wilderness component. Fresh air has been good to me, so I figure I should do my part for future generations.

I worked for Outward Bound in my 20s, then joined the corporate world with 3M. The internet caught my fancy; as an anthropology major, I was drawn to the community aspects of it. I found myself in Seattle, started a couple of professional-services businesses, and went all-in with biodiesel and Propel Fuels in June 2004. I'm stoked to be passionate about work again.

Where were you born? Where do you live now?

I was born in Davis, Calif., but raised in Minnesota. I'd like to think I've taken the pragmatic fortitude of the Midwest and mixed it with the wild dreams of the left coast.

What environmental offense has infuriated you the most?

Greenwashing, particularly as practiced by the petroleum industry, is a pet peeve. I hope people see through the lies. Looking to Big Oil to solve our petroleum dependence problem is like looking to the Marlboro Man to quit smoking. Detroit Big Auto isn't any better, with their pathetic vehicle offerings, finger pointing, and lack of leadership.

Who is your environmental hero?

The poet Gary Snyder inspires me with his lifelong message of sustainability, simplicity, and humor.

Who is your environmental nightmare?

James Watt. Really, though, the systemic nature of our environmental plight makes it difficult to point fingers. We all share blame. Change should start with each of us.

What's your environmental vice?

Consumption. I try my best to purchase wisely, but I'm still consuming things I don't need.

What are you reading these days?

Some chemical and mechanical engineering stuff related to biodiesel production. I'm reading a ton of blogs and online articles, keeping up with people's experiences with biodiesel.

What's your favorite meal?

Sushi's great! We didn't have that growing up in Minnesota -- unless you count lutefisk.

Which stereotype about environmentalists most fits you?

I'm opinionated. Is that a stereotype?

What's your favorite place or ecosystem?

The rivers and beaches of the West Coast of North America. Alaska, Puget Sound, California's redwoods.

What's one thing the environmental movement is doing particularly well?

I see a new generation using business as a force for change. We need more of it. If Wall Street and the venture capitalists would get on board, we'd have even more to talk about. I'm tired of reading about Yvon Chouinard and Patagonia. Don't get me wrong -- I love what he's done. There should be a lot more stories like his out there.

What's one thing the environmental movement is doing badly, and how could it be done better?

Talking too much about the big picture. The big picture is hard for people to grasp. Empowering people with choices in their daily lives, now that's progress. Part of me believes the traditional "environmental movement" has outlived its usefulness, and we need a new framework of inclusiveness to move things forward. I tend toward words like "values" and "sustainability" rather than "environmentalism."

If you could institute by fiat one environmental reform, what would it be?

Energy reform in all its facets: sustainable fuels, solar, wind, investing in new technologies instead of oil and coal.

What was your favorite band when you were 18? How about now?

I grew up in the '80s in Minneapolis. We had Husker Du, The Replacements. I support local music wherever I am. I listen to KEXP in Seattle a lot. I'm an old fan of the band Pavement, since we share California Central Valley roots. I'd like to get Stephen Malkmus driving a biodiesel car. Send me an email, Stephen -- maybe I can get you a deal. Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and Dave Matthews are biodiesel supporters. Dave's in Seattle -- so hey, Dave, maybe you and Stephen can get a package deal on new Passat TDi wagons. I hear Farm Aid will focus on biofuels this year, and I'm all for that.

What are you happy about right now?

In spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, I'm feeling good about the direction of things in general. I'm hoping it's darkest before the dawn. It's pretty dark right now. People seem to be slowly awakening to the environmental problems we face and how these problems lead to a lower quality of life. For some, it's the loss of an old fishing spot; for others, it's the ramifications of imported oil and terrorism. I'd like to think people are making different choices. SUV sales are down. Biodiesel has good energy.

If you could have every InterActivist reader do one thing, what would it be?

Switch your vehicle to something better. Go test-drive one of the new diesels; trade in your old car for a diesel and run biodiesel in it. It's as close as you can get to driving petroleum-free given our current options. And it feels great!

Bio Logic

Rob Elam, Propel Fuels.

I hear a lot about how biodiesel is better for the environment, but I'd like to hear some specifics. How do emissions from biodiesel vehicles compare to conventional emissions?    -- Rachel Gross, Olympia, Wash.

A number of studies show biodiesel's emissions improvements. There are variables: emissions depend on feedstock and application; light-duty vehicles will differ from heavy-duty vehicles; and all duty/drive cycles will have different results within their size/weight classes. Lots of work is being done currently, and new data should be available soon.

All that said, let's use the numbers from National Biodiesel Board (by all accounts very conservative). Compared to petroleum diesel, using B100 (pure biodiesel) reduces unburned hydrocarbons (greenhouse gases) by 67 percent, carbon monoxide by 48 percent, and particulate matter by 47 percent. Biodiesel essentially has a closed carbon cycle if you include the feedstock plant growth.

And here's news: Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions have been a concern about biodiesel. NOx is a low-level smog agent, and increased NOx emissions have been a major barrier to biodiesel adoption in states like California. It turns out biodiesel may not increase NOx emissions after all. In a comprehensive new study to be released later this fall, the Department of Energy has found B20 in transit buses to have equal or less NOx emissions than petroleum diesel. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's fuels-performance manager, Wendy Clark, said that after exhaustive testing of biodiesel emissions on two 40-foot urban transit buses, NOx emissions were comparable to the buses' diesel-fuel emissions. In other words, they found no increase in NOx emissions from biodiesel.

Many of the processes involved in creating biofuels use oil -- pesticides on the crops, transportation to the processing station, powering the station, transportation to the fuel station for consumers. Is it true that by using biofuels, you are still consuming around the same amount of oil?    -- William Ivanoff, Eugene, Ore.

No, it is not true. Biodiesel has an energy balance of 3.2 to 1, meaning it returns 3.2 units of energy for every 1 unit of input. Is the biodiesel lifecycle petroleum-free? No. Petroleum use is ingrained into every aspect of our society. We're making progress. One of our distribution partners is using B99 blend in his fuel-delivery trucks. Read more about biodiesel's energy balance in this report [PDF] from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Is biodiesel an early step toward reducing greenhouse gases from the transportation sector, but not a sufficient step?    -- Ann Burruss, Greenacres, Fla.

Biodiesel is one step. At this point, the dream of emissions-free transportation is just that -- a dream. Biodiesel is available now, and that really means something. The time has come to take these technologies out of the lab and begin applying them. Biodiesel use significantly reduces harmful emissions. It's made in the U.S., and the feedstocks are grown by farmers, keeping more of our dollars in local economies. Given our current situation, any well-thought step forward is a sufficient step.

What's the best way for individual diesel-car owners to get their local service station to offer biodiesel? I live in a small town, but there are a substantial number of biodiesel enthusiasts here who are turning to veggie-oil conversions in the absence of a reliable biodiesel supply.    -- Sonia Marcus, Athens, Ohio

Retail station owners need to believe they can sell biodiesel before they'll offer it. If your local retailer feels enough interest from customers, they may begin to consider selling it. You'll need a high-quality, stable source of biodiesel to sell commercially -- the best place to start is to find a large, local fuel distributor who's working with biodiesel. You could have the station owner contact Propel Fuels, since setting up retail stations is what we do.

In short, keep asking. Have all your local biodiesel supporters focus on one station owner with questions and letters promising to buy it. Eventually one of the stations will come around. Good luck!

What are your thoughts on home-brewing biodiesel?    -- David Kirshbaum, Stinesville, Ind.

I don't have an opinion on home-brewing biodiesel. It's legal (as long as you pay your road taxes). Brewing your own takes a commitment in time and energy. If you feel safe and secure home-brewing, I say go for it. There's a ton of information available on the web to get you started. You'll get all the glory and all the blame -- if bad biodiesel damages your engine, it's all your fault!

How does one overcome the cold-weather gelling issue with biodiesel?    -- David Kirshbaum, Stinesville, Ind.

Typically, by blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel or kerosene. A 50/50 blend will be fine to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. There's a ton of new research into winterized fuel additives, some more bio-friendly than others. My hope is a simple additive solution by this winter. Petroleum diesel has some gelling issues as well, so those in very cold climates tend to be somewhat familiar with winter fuel strategies.

Why are there no hybrid-diesel engines on the U.S. market? Do such vehicles exist elsewhere in the world?    -- Rob Hardison, Seattle, Wash.

There are hybrid diesels in production. In fact, you may have seen the new King County Metro hybrid-diesel buses in Seattle. The problem with diesel-vehicle availability in the U.S. is our diesel fuel. Clean up the fuel, and we'll have more vehicle options. Every other country that's serious about increased efficiencies in personal vehicles is using diesel as a pillar technology. New diesel-fuel requirements are being phased in; beginning in 2007, we should see many more vehicles available for consumers.

I asked VW about the use of biodiesel in my car and the reply was that if I used more than 5 percent biodiesel, it would void my engine warranty. Any thoughts on that?    -- Henry Bosch, Catonsville, Md.

I can't speak for VW. The position of the National Biodiesel Board is that vehicle manufacturers don't warranty any fuel, including biodiesel. You'll be looking at this "voided warranty" issue if you fill with bad dino-diesel as well. If VW finds you are running B7, will they refuse to cover the broken trunk latch? I doubt it. VW is fine with B100 use in the TDI engine in Europe. Many folks run B100 in new VWs.

Why are legislators so eager to push ethanol and not biodiesel?    -- S. Bean Nymphem, Mount Kisco, N.Y.

Ethanol is a much larger and more mature industry than biodiesel. Ethanol and biodiesel are often lumped together in legislation. I'd like to see more separation of the two fuels, as biodiesel has different benefits and applications.

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