For those of you who commute down peninsula… I’m sure many of you already know… but a new biodiesel “Filling Station and Quick Mart” opened in San Mateo. It’s Autopia.

I tanked up there today at $4.74 per gallon. The B99 is certified and made from Taco Chip oil. They may make it on the premises; I forgot to ask. The pump is brand new and the site is pleasant. Austin accepts cash or credit cards.

Their website is at www.autopiabiofuels.com. Even the quickie mart has a good green slant; they’re trying to get all their snacks from a 100 mile radius. And, they’re applying for a liquor license, so you’ll be able to pick up a six pack, maybe a bottle of wine, as you fuel up to help support the business.

Looks like a good operation to support if you work south of the city.
The facility is by the Caltrain tracks a couple blocks west of
Delaware, so freeway access is easy. Check them out.

WHAT:   Rainforest depletion to fuel our cars? That’s
not right! But there is a better way—by using recycled fuel, creating local economies, and simply driving less. This evening will be entertaining, educational, and a great way to meet like-minded people who have hope we can overcome our petroleum-dependent ways.
Despite the backlash against biofuel, the BFO is showing us a sustainable way!

Films include:
•       “Fat of the Land”—a 1995 documentary about four
pioneering women traveling around the country transforming fuel from fryer grease. Set back in the day when no one heard about biodiesel, they are encountered with disbelief and awe.
•       “Freedom Fuels” (excerpts)—an award winning
documentary about the current state of biodiesel
•       “Revolution Green” (excerpts) about the state of
sustainable biodiesel in America today
•       Other shorts and newsclips
With presentations about big biodiesel’s impact on Borneo and Argentina.
And…live puppetry with the Big Tadoo Puppet Crew, an Ask a Mechanic booth, special, limited edition t-shirt silk screening assembly line, and homemade popcorn.

WHEN:   Wednesday, April 30th
7 – 10 p.m.

WHERE:  La Pena Cultural Center,
3105 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley
510-849-2589

COST:  $10-20 entry (no one turned away for lack of
funds)
All proceeds go toward building the most sustainable station in the nation, the Biofuel Oasis’s new location at Ashby and Sacramento.

Contact:Novella Carpenter
510.847.7141 mobile
Biofuel Oasis Cooperative

The article says “for sale in Europe by end of next year”. Who knows how
long it will take to get to the U.S., but at least it seems like years
and not decades! Now hopefully these new engines don’t get so hi tech
that they become “incompatible” with Biodiesel!

-Ching-Wei

Read this article at BeyondChron

Event Description:
Lighten Up Your Ride is a clean car expo & rally hosted by Working Assets & the MMOB, and celebrating cutting edge transport for the climate!

Come see demo displays of plug-in hybrids, 100% electric cars, biodiesel and solar vans, with kids art activities and letter-writing actions as well. Enjoy music from DJ-On-A-Bike, shuttle in on the veggie-oil fueled van, or ride your bike to our Bike Valet!

Find out more about this event here

There has been a lot of confusion about annual membership dues. I apologize that this was not clear to everyone earlier in the year. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the dues situation.

The board of directors made a decision at the end of last year to raise dues to $36 for 2007. Membership dues were due January 1, 2007. Dues must be paid before you fuel and only members in good standing (meaning you have paid your dues) will be able to vote in the upcoming board elections.

A bit of history - Dues have changed each year since the inception of the co-op. Dues were $100 in the beginning. We used those dues to pay for our initial infrastructure and startup costs. For 2006, the board decided to lower dues to $12 per year. We also initiated the concept of the $1.00 one-month ($12/12 months) membership for those traveling through town. We have always worked to make biodiesel available to everyone we can.

Back to why $36 for 2007 - Given our current infrastructure needs (new pump and meter), the Board reached a decision at the end of last year, and after much debate, to increase dues to $36 for this year. The co-op has maintained its policy of charging no mark-up on fuel sold to sweat equity members. As a result, we run very lean.

We have also decided to maintain the concept of the one-month membership for those traveling through town; that is now a $3 one-month membership ($36/12 months). The one-month membership is not available for regular members.

For members who would like to get involved in the decision-making process, we welcome your participation at the monthly meetings. For those with an even greater desire to get involved, I encourage you to run for election to the Board of Directors.

We will be having Board elections in March. I’ll be sending out an e-mail shortly regarding the election and soliciting volunteers to run for the Board.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding co-op dues, please let me or another member of the Board of Directors know.

Best regards,

Eric
President
SF Biofuels Co-op

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Daniel Sherwood will present on Recent Developments in the World of Biodiesel.

Location: Incredible Adventures - 521 Eighth Street (@ Bryant), San Francisco, CA 94103 [Google map]