Press Releases

Mustard Gas
August 15 , 2007  By Steve Hahn    Metro Santa Cruz writer

Local farmers harvest a spicy all-natural source of biofuel with hidden benefits.

When biodiesel arrives at Pacific Biofuel's Ocean Street filling station, it's already been on quite a journey. Starting off as soybean plants in Kansas or Iowa, the crops selected for fuel are then trucked to the Golden Gate Petroleum refinery in Northern California, where they are processed into liquid fuel. Next, the fuel is transported to Pacific Biofuel's storage tank at Moss Landing, then finally to the Ocean Street filling station.

It's a trip that spans four states and uses a fair amount of fuel and manpower. While the process is much shorter and more efficient than the international supply lines for petroleum, a group of local organic farmers calling itself Farm Fuel Incorporated (FFI) think it has a way to make the supply line even shorter, and chemical-free to boot: mustard.

Last week, Ken Kimes and Larry Jacobs, both local organic farmers, watched as a red combine harvested mustard plants growing on an unused portion of Jacobs' 120-acre herb and tomato farm on Wilder Ranch. Kimes, who owns and operates New Natives sprout farm in Aptos, widened his eyes as the mustard seed poured down the spout of the combine into large white bags. He was excited about the prospect of adding to the bounty from Swanton Berry Farms, Cascade Ranch and B.J. Burns' Pescadero farm, harvested earlier in the week. By the time the harvest was complete, Kimes would have 25 acres' worth of mustard seed ready to go.

But that was just the first step in the plant's transformation into fuel. Next, Kimes will use a plant press to extract the oil from the seeds. After he's separated out the plant material at his Aptos farm, he'll transport the raw oil to Pacific Biofuel's Moss Landing plant, where they'll strip out the fatty acids to make the oil more compatible with diesel engines. Once these steps are complete, which could take up to six months, the Pacific Biofuel station on Ocean should be pumping mustard-derived fuel into old Mercedes and Volkswagens with a whiff of Grey Poupon. Meanwhile, the leftover plant material will be given back to the farmers for use as a weed suppressant and fertilizer.

Kimes stresses that this latest harvest is just a "drop in the bucket," and that his company hopes to be harvesting "anywhere between a thousand and a million acres" in the near future.

"As I drive up and down the coast I notice there are a lot of fields that aren't producing anything at all," says Kimes, who also acts as president of FFI. "In some ways that's great, they need to rest. On the other hand, they could be used for biodiesel."

Kimes has collaborated with a number of local organic farmers to plant fields of mustard in otherwise unused plots of land in what may turn out to be the first local and organic source material for Pacific Biofuel.

The idea of using mustard as fuel in the Santa Cruz area arose from conversations between Kimes, Jacobs and UC Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories renewable energy researcher Robert Van Buskirk. The talk between the three friends revolved around how to grow biofuel crops without using sparse freshwater resources or competing with existing high-value food crops on the Central Coast.

Their questions were answered when the group came across studies from the University of Idaho that which concluded that glucosinolate in the seawater-tolerant mustard plant, which is what makes mustard spicy, is a natural herbicide. It was already common knowledge among organic farmers that mustard was also a very effective nonchemical fertilizer.

The trio realized this was the biofuel ticket for the Central Coast. They created a plan to harness the multiple uses of the mustard plant to create an economically viable biofuel crop that could be planted close to seawater, rely on rainfall for watering and be cost-effective enough to justify using high-value agricultural land.

"The hard thing about biodiesel is how to make it economical, first off, and secondly, how do you make it not compete with food for resources," says Van Buskirk. "Answering one question also answers the other question. The way you make it economical is to not only produce the biodiesel but to also produce a byproduct that is also very useful for the farmers. If you produce a byproduct [on fallow land] that is useful to the farmers, then you're not competing with the food because the byproduct increases your yields. It's win-win."

FFI hopes to eventually cycle mustard production into existing crop rotation patterns at participating farms to create a closed system of resource distribution that will reduce the reliance of local organic farmers on fertilizers and diesel fuel currently shipped in from elsewhere.

"Local farmers that grow some mustard for diesel during the same time as they grow strawberries or some of the other high-value crops around here would have some of their diesel use offset," says Kimes. "With every acre of mustard, you should be able to get 60 gallons of biodiesel, and it takes about 10 gallons to get it planted and worked up. So you have 40 to 50 gallons of diesel for your efforts."

Any diesel not used to operate farm equipment would be sold off to Pacific Biofuel. After the fuel is extracted from the mustard, the plant would still be valuable to the farmers, who could redistribute the leftover plant material onto their other crops, such as tomatoes or strawberries, as a nonchemical herbicide and fertilizer. The leftovers would also replenish the nitrogen that mustard draws from the soil.

"The sustainable way to run a farm is to have a system of rotating different applications and uses that kind of hands off the resources from one crop to the next," notes Van Buskirk. "You can grow mustard, extract the biodiesel, put the meal back into the land to cycle [the depleted] nitrogen back in. Depending on how much nitrogen comes out of the ground, you can replace that with cover crops, legumes or compost later."

At least that's the plan. It may be a while yet before Pacific Biofuel consumers are filling up their tanks with mustard-derived fuel. Kimes still needs to clean the mustard seed he harvested last week and press the oil out, which could take up to a month since he's interspersing work on this project with operating his Aptos-based sprout farm.

Nevertheless, Kimes and Van Buskirk both believe this idea will take hold, especially with organic-friendly Bay Area consumers. They have big plans for the future of FFI.

"Consumers may be willing to pay a premium for it to help us cover the costs," says Kimes, who notes local consumers have already shown a willingness to pay more for organic food products. "Because we're small, our cost per unit is going to be high. But there's a huge demand for feedstock for biofuels right now and we're thinking maybe we can do this on a regional scale to make it more economically viable."

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Biodiesel company wooing wholesale customers.
June 20, 2007  By JONDI GUMZ Sentinel staff writer

Darren Huckle couldn't help but grin as he filled up his 1997 Volkswagen four-door sedan Tuesday at Pacific Biofuel on Ocean Street.

"I get 47-48 miles per gallon," said Huckle, 33, an herbalist and acupuncturist who bought the car two years ago and has seen the odometer reach 150,000 miles.

Pacific Biofuel charges $3.29 per gallon for biodiesel, more than the $3.08 per gallon Valero charges for regular diesel, but cheaper than gasoline, which sells for $3.35 a gallon at Chevron.
The new station, which opened April 21, isn't all that busy although it's at a busy intersection on the way to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Retail sales average 700 gallons a day, Pacific Biofuel President Ray Newkirk said. For those who wonder why the tank and the pumps are surrounded by a fence made of redwood and bamboo, Newkirk has an answer: It's to comply with the city's new green building regulations. The redwood is recycled, he added, and there's no danger of fire because biodiesel is not flammable.

The biodiesel comes from United Biofuels of California, a Moss Landing company in which Pacific Biofuel has a 50 percent stake.
Diesel cars are popular in Western Europe, comprising 49 percent of car sales, but the situation is quite different in the United States. Mercedes had aimed to meet California's emissions standards, which are America's toughest, with its $51,550 Bluetec this year. Engineers have reduced emissions considerably and now are setting their sights on compliance in 2008.

Peter Schmidt of Automotive Industry Data, a trade publication, predicts that diesel will grow to 18 percent of the U.S. car market in the next five years.

In the meantime, diesel cars remain a tiny sliver of the American car market, so the pool of potential biodiesel customers is small. Moreover, car owners like Huckle get such good mileage they don't have to fill up frequently.

As a result, Pacific Biofuel has several other irons in the fire:

• Catering to the environmentally conscious by selling other organic products and electric bikes, priced at $350.
• Developing a wholesale business, delivering biodiesel to tree service firms and bus yards at night.
• Working with a local mustard grower to produce mustard oil biodiesel.

"We've come a really long way," said Michael Sack, CEO of Pacific Biofuel, noting sales have grown from 6,000 gallons in 2003 to 96,919 gallons in 2006.

Bringing the fuel to business customers saves time and money, Pacific Biofuel partner Will Noel said, explaining that construction crews can spend more time at the job site instead of in their truck filling up their tank.

He started advertising on KPIG-FM radio in hopes of reaching owners of diesel trucks, a strategy that seems to be working.
"I had two customers today who heard that ad," he said.
Contact Jondi Gumz at jgumz@santacruzsentinel.com.

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E85 Pumps to Open in Florida and New Mexico
August 17, 2004

Jefferson City, MO –Continuing in efforts to bring E85 into the nation’s transportation fuels systems, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) is pleased to announce that two new E85 fuel pumps plan to open this week. The two facilities, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico and in Jacksonville, Florida, each received partial funding to establish the sites via funds provided by the NEVC.

The Amigo Mart #803 at 1229 Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe plans to offer E85 to both the general public and service about 90 New Mexico Transportation Department FFVs. “The facility is located at a busy intersection where it is sure to get high traffic,” commented Charles Bensinger of Renewable Energy Partners of NM, an organization who helped establish the site. The station is planning a grand opening event in early to mid September. It also offers E10 and biodiesel.

The City of Jacksonville Fleet Management Division (COJ/FMD) and the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) will open the first E85 fueling facility in the northern portion of the state this week. The private facility plans to fuel over 350 FFVs at the site on 44th Street.

“We plan on doing much internal marketing for the E85 pump,” said Kathy Para, coordinator of the site who works for the JEA. Each JEA FFV will have an E85 fuel decal near the gas cap along with an info sheet above the visor.

The celebration for the opening of the Jacksonville facility is planned for August 26. FFVs will be displayed and representatives from JEA and the City of Jacksonville plan to speak.

“The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition is pleased to have been able to assist these two facilities with the establishment of their new E85 pumps,” said Todd Sneller, Chairman of the NEVC. “Through a combination of local and federal funds, we are proving on a weekly basis that E85 can be made available to fleets outside of the typical ‘corn belt’ areas. No longer a ‘niche fuel’ E85 is fast becoming the light duty alternative fuel of choice.”

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Heller Estate has decided to make the switch
to biodiesel April 2, 2004

Heller Estate, the leader in organic wine-grape farming in Monterey County, California has eliminated the use of fossil fuels in their farming practices and adopted the use of a 100% plant based fuel alternative known as biodiesel.

As one of the first vineyards in Monterey County to switch from dinosaur diesel to biodiesel for the tractors used to work the land, Heller Estate has again shown its strong, dedication to protecting the environment – while making world class wines. The wine producer has decided to make the switch to biodiesel for the following benefits:

• The safest fuel to use,
• Handle and store;
• A healthier, cleaner burning fuel;
• Elimination of dependence on foreign crude
• The further depletion of our world’s natural resources.

SAFETY: Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources. It contains no petroleum and can be used in all diesel engines with no major modifications. Biodiesel is non-toxic, non-hazardous, biodegrades as quickly as dextrose, less toxic than table salt, contact with skin, eyes and even accidental ingestion are not considered dangerous. For more information or delivery call Pacific Biofuel at 831-457-1328 and visit their website at www.pacfuel.com

HEALTHIER & CLEANER: Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in a substantial reduction in unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (between 55%-70% less) as compared to dino-diesel. Also, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (the major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated as compared to regular diesel.

In addition to these astounding facts, a 1998 joint study between the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Agriculture concluded that biodiesel reduces net CO2 emissions by 78% compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to biodiesel’s closed carbon cycle – the CO2 released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel.

ELIMINATION OF FOREIGN CRUDE: As mentioned earlier the use and manufacture of biodiesel does not require any other source than plants that can be grown, and harvested 100% domestically with no dependence on foreign crude. Through a simple chemical reaction known as transesterification , plant or animal oil can be broken down into biodiesel and glycerine. The oils can either be made from virgin materials such as soy beans, rapeseed (canola) or many other plant sources – with the added benefit of supporting our farmers – or it can be made just as well from simple waste vegetable oil (such as the spent fry oil from a local restaurant).

Heller is convinced that along with his other “green” practices such as growing without pesticides and herbicides, cover cropping to attract beneficial insects while increasing soil nutrients, and composting all vineyard and winery organic waste he and his winery are producing the highest quality wines in the world while leaving the smallest and least indelible footprint on our precious Earth.

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Local company brings biodiesel home!
Pacific Biofuel joins World Energy to bring renewable fuel to
Central Coast. November 24th, 2003

Santa Cruz, Ca.- On a mission to bring cleaner-burning biodiesel to the greater Monterey Bay Area, Pacific Biofuel Inc. joined in partnership with World Energy Alternatives, the leading provider of biodiesel and biodiesel blends in the United States. As the exclusive biodiesel distributor for World Energy products in the region, Pacific Biofuel Inc. will now supply various diesel-powered industries, municipal agencies and private parties with biodiesel and biodiesel-diesel blends.

“The West Coast has always been a desirable and underdeveloped biodiesel market. A healthy portion of the people who inhabit the beautiful and unique area of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties will appreciate the value of a safe, renewable, American-produced, environmentally friendly diesel fuel. We are confident that Pacific Biofuel will provide superior local education and support to ensure this remarkable fuel is utilized where it can improve air quality and reduce risks to soil and water. World Energy will assist by sharing our expertise, proven quality control and capacity to provide biodiesel to meet rapidly growing demand.” (Graham Noyes, Vice President of Sales, World Energy)

Pacific Biofuel Inc. leverages strong community support and growing commercial interest in renewable energy that burns cleaner from the tailpipe. Incorporated in 2003, Pacific Biofuel Inc. will provide fuel for a variety of diesel-powered industries including- commercial fleets, heavy equipment, maritime industries, and agriculture.

President of Pacific Biofuel Inc. and longtime biodiesel user, Ray Newkirk states, “We were so encouraged by the commercial reception for biodiesel, that we immediately started looking for a supplier. We are very happy with World Energy’s track record, quality controls and delivery infrastructure. World Energy will help insure the longevity of biodiesel use in our local market.

This vegetable-based fuel was the original diesel fuel Rudolf Diesel used in his diesel engine at the 1900 World Expo in Paris. His fuel of choice was based on peanut oil. Today’s biodiesel is produced from recycled vegetable oil from the food industry or virgin oils, typically pressed from soybeans.

According to Ray Newkirk, Pacific Biofuel’s mission is clear. “Our plan is to fuel the future with renewable fuel `alternatives.’ Increased biodiesel usage marks the beginning of a major shift toward sustainability and improved health in our community and beyond.”

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November 06, 2003 press release:
Flagstaff to be first Arizona municipality to convert to cleaner burning diesel fuel.