BBEDC seminar offers biodiesel networking

State committee examines vegetable seed concerns

MOSES LAKE — Bill Riley brings out three bottles.

One contains a slightly cloudy yellow liquid, another an amber liquid and the last a solid substance which vaguely resembles paste.

The labels on the bottles reveal the substances inside to be biodiesel made from canola oil, from McDonald's fry oil and from palm oil.

The state of the substances, the Big Bend Economic Development council executive director explains, show palm oil canola would not be usable in temperatures less than 77 degrees, as it turns to the hardened state, but the two liquids are usable."

"There's a 100-million gallon plant proposed over in Aberdeen using palm oil," Riley said. "So we're wondering how that's going to work."

There's more hands-on biodiesel training in store for the council, as it hosts the second in a planned series of four seminars Dec. 11 at the Grange Hall at the Grant County Fairgrounds. Riley said the council plans to provide additional presentations at the Grant, Adams and Lincoln county fairs.

The seminar is open to anyone interested in the topic, and intended for smaller producers of less than 400,000 gallons of biodiesel per year. Riley thinks there are several examples cooperatives and small farms may use to legally make their own fuel and use it off-road without paying taxes.

"We're talking about orchard smudge pots, tractors, heating homes, heating shops," he said. "Those are all uses that biodiesel can be used. It can replace regular fossil diesel."

The seminar includes a panel discussion from four people with extensive experience making biodiesel and using it in engines, allowing the public to ask questions.

"We may think that all the things we're doing at this seminar are what the public should know, but we really need the public to tell us, what is it we didn't cover and you still want to know?" Riley explained.

A biodiesel processor is scheduled to process a 50-gallon batch of oil into biodiesel.

"We'll do it inside, so you can stand around, look at it and ask any questions you want," Riley said. "And you can see this isn't rocket science."

At each seminar, Riley runs into more people looking for assistance in creating biodiesel, asking such questions as where to buy alcohol, potassium hydroxide or containers and facilities. The council knows where, and at least cost, he said.

As interest increases, the seminar serves as networking between experienced producers and new people looking for more information.

"That builds confidence in people that they can do this," Riley said.

He hopes to continue to expand the network, and said he is in the process of

creating a Web site.

"It will be a collage of upcoming events, Web sites to look at and contact information," he added.

In other canola news, the state's Department of Agriculture has created a committee to study regulations on growing canola and other Brassica crops. Riley attended one committee meeting and said he wants to ensure there are plans to discuss challenges with seed companies.

Those challenges include interbreeding between canola and vegetable seed crops; contamination of vegetable seed crops by interbreeding with genetically modified canola; canola becoming a weed problem and canola carrying diseases that affect vegetable crops.

They can be overcome, Riley said, but the governor's advisory committee and the agriculture department have to be on top of the situation. He hopes within the next six weeks, some regulations and protections can be reintroduced.

"I think in the state we have to pass a law that only certified seed can be imported into the state that meets phytosanitary conditions," he said. "Other parts of the country and Canada have some diseases and plant pests, and unless we ensure that we keep (them) out, once they're here, they're virtually impossible to eradicate."

The council's mobile unit for making biodiesel was purchased using a $ $95,300 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant awarded earlier this year. Assembly of the components to be mounted on the trailer has begun, and Riley said the council is hoping for a break in the cold weather to put everything together.

The council plans to use the unit in its demonstrations.

The free seminar kicks off with registration at 8:30 a.m. and lasts through 3:30 p.m.

Pizza and pop are provided, but council Executive Director Bill Riley asks participants to RSVP by e-mailing bbedc@moseslake-wa.com or by calling 509-764-8591.