With the increased need for alternatives to conventional fuels, the biofuels marketplace is burgeoning with interest and consumers. What's happening in the Northwest, and who can you turn to for answers in your local community? This is a good place to start answering those questions. Follow our key to the resources Harvesting Clean Energy finds most useful.

Resource Key:

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Essential Resource
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National Organizations

National Biodiesel Board
The latest news, fact sheets, fuel suppliers and marketers, policy updates, a searchable reports database, even cool biodiesel apparel – it's all here at this national trade association site. Subscribe to their free monthly Biodiesel Bulletin.

Biodiesel Life Cycle Costs

Renewable Fuels Association
This national trade association for the ethanol industry provides extensive background information on production and use, policy discussions, various studies and reports, and much more. Review copies of their bi-weekly newsletter Ethanol Reports.

 Homegrown for the Homeland: Ethanol Industry Outlook 2005

Biodiesel Now
This extensive on-line forum system hosts thousands of users and topics. Informed discussions are taking place on just about everything having to do with biodiesel, from the Pacific Northwest around the globe.

American Coalition for Ethanol
ACE is active in public policy arenas and works with petroleum marketers to expand ethanol use. Links to many important studies on economic benefits of ethanol production.

Summary of Ethanol-Related Provisions of 2005 Energy Bill

Ethanol Producers & Consumers
More grassroots than the other industry groups, Montana-based EPAC has a wealth of information and resources applicable to the Northwest.

Governors’ Ethanol Coalition
Political leadership from 31 states working to increase the use of ethanol fuels. Reports, studies and the free Ethanol Alert are among the resources.

Biodiesel Industry Directory
Contact information for over 600 companies serving the biodiesel industry, searchable by keyword category.

Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
Established by Minnesota’s legislature to develop new uses and markets for the state’s agricultural products, including biofuels. Consider subscribing to Ag Innovation News.

Biodiesel Plant Handbook Executive Summary

Federal Agencies

Interagency

West Coast Collaborative
This public-private partnership, coordinated by the US Environmental Protection Agency, is committed to reducing diesel emissions along the West Coast. Their Agriculture Workgroup shares information and seeks funding for a variety of projects. Contact: Peter Murchie, 503-326-6554

Biomass Research & Development Initiative
This multi-agency effort seeks to coordinate and accelerate all Federal biobased products and bioenergy research and development. Their website is a good place to track legislation, government reports and news items. Consider subscribing to their monthly Biobased Fuels, Power and Products Newsletter.

US Department of Energy

Alternative Fuels Data Center
AFDC is a vast collection of information on alternative fuels and the vehicles that use them. This site has more than 3,000 documents in its database, an interactive fuel station mapping system, current listings of available alternative fuel vehicles, and lots of alternative fuels information and related links.

Roadmap for Agriculture Biomass Feedstock Supply in the US

Outlook for Biomass Ethanol Production and Demand

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
NREL’s Nonpetroleum Based Fuels program works to overcome technical barriers to expand markets for gaseous and new liquid fuels, including biodiesel. They have a variety of excellent publications.

Business Management for Biodiesel Producers
Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines
Energy & Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impacts of Fuel Ethanol
Biodiesel Blends in Space Heating Equipment

Clean Cities Program
Clean Cities coalitions promote public-private partnerships that deploy alternative fuel vehicles and support expansion of alternative fuels infrastructure. Download the Clean Cities Roadmap for a good overview, and subscribe to their quarterly Clean Cities Now newsletter. Three coalitions are active in the region (see Northwest Agencies for contacts).

US Department of Agriculture

Rural Business-Cooperative Service
A variety of loans and grants are available through the USDA’s business and cooperative programs. For example, their Biobased Products & Bioenergy Program is looking to finance technologies needed to convert biomass into biobased products and bioenergy to compete in large national and international markets.

Bioenergy Program
The Farm Service Agency’s Bioenergy Program seeks to expand industrial consumption of agricultural commodities by promoting their use in production of bioenergy, including biofuels. As authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, FSA promotes biofuels through the Commodity Credit Corporation.

Technical Resources

Check out USDA’s in-house research arm, the Agricultural Research Service. Additional scientific resources are available through USDA’s Technology Transfer Information Center and Current Research Information System.

Northwest Agencies & Organizations

Idaho

Idaho Bioenergy Program
Contact: John Crockett, 208-287-4894

Ethanol Impact Assessment for the State of Idaho

University of Idaho Biodiesel Program
Researchers at U of I have been making biodiesel since 1979. In partnership with Iowa State University they are developing educational tools for a national Biodiesel Fuel Education Program. A primary focus has been regular workshops on public fleet use and the basics of biodiesel production. Contact: Jon Van Gerpen, 208-885-7891

Brassica Breeding & Research Field Trials

Montana

Montana Biomass Energy Program
Contact: Howard Haines, 406-841-5252

Economic Effects of Increased Ethanol Use in Montana

Oregon

Oregon Biofuels Network
This group coordinates advocacy efforts in support of biofuels in the state. Their “biofuels4oregon” list serve is an essential resource for Oregon biofuels supporters. Contact: Kathy Hyzy, 503-222-1963 x105

Renewable Transportation Fuels: An Oregon Economic Opportunity

Oregon Biomass Energy Program
Contact: Justin Klure, 503-373-1581

Oregon Cellulose-Ethanol Study

Oregon State University Sun Grant Initiative
OSU hosts the Western Regional Center of this collaborative effort between federal agencies and land-grant universities to promote biobased energy and product technologies Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, and the land-grant colleges and universities. Contact: Jan Auyong, 541-737-5130

Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition
This Portland-area chapter has 64 members representing government agencies and and private businesses, and generating ideas and solutions to promote alternative fuel use. Contact: Rick Wallace, 503-378-3265

Rogue Valley Clean Cities Coalition

Contact: Steve Vincent, 541-858-4773

GoBiodiesel Cooperative (Portland)

Corvallis Biodiesel Cooperative

Oregon State University Biodiesel Initiative

Ashland Biodiesel Collective

Washington

Spokane County Conservation District Biodiesel Fuel Project
A leader in state and local biodiesel initiatives, SCCD provides a thorough history of legislative efforts in Washington, and studies on the economic challenges of growing oilseeds for biodiesel production. Contact: Linda Graham, 509-535-7274

Northwest Biodiesel Network
These are the go-to folks for biodiesel networking, advocacy and social events in the central Puget Sound region. Very active and knowledgeable. Subscribe to their Northwest Biodiesel Discussion list serve. Contact: Aaron Kahn, 206-227-9542

Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition
These folks provide some of the best on-line biofuels resources for Washington, and a wealth of other current resources and information.
Contact: 206-684-0935

Biodiesel Public Access Stations Directory

Washington State University Renewable Energy Program.
WSU has a variety of programs working on biofuels research and education. Contact: Kim Lyons, 360-956-2083

Cost of Producing Canola & Mustard Oilseeds in Eastern Washington & North-Central Idaho

Wheat Straw for Ethanol Production in Washington

Olympia Biodiesel Cooperative

Tacoma Biodiesel Cooperative

General Info

Collaborative Biodiesel Tutorial

All Things Biodiesel Blog

Journey to Forever