Lightman

Hey guys, just thought I'd spread the news in case you guys didn't hear. This is an exciting step for Cleveland!

On Friday, August 12, 2005, Cleveland will welcome its first retail outlet
for biodiesel fuel. The fuel will be sold at the Rapid Stop fuel station and convenience store on the corner of East 55th Street and Payne Avenue. This location is the first in Northeastern Ohio for drivers to fill up on the fastest growing alternative fuel in the United States. Previously, the closest biodiesel retail pump was located in Norwalk, Ohio.

The unveiling of this biodiesel pump at this inner city location will be inaugurated by a convoy of diesel vehicles from NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland Metroparks, City of Cleveland, Great Lakes Brewing Company, and HealthSpace plus a host of privately owned diesel vehicles. The event, which will feature these alternative fuel vehicles on display, will run from 9AM-12NOON on Friday, August 12.

Participating Organizations include:
• City of Cleveland
• Cleveland Metroparks
• Earth Day Coalition’s Clean Fuels Program (a designated U.S. Dept. of Energy Clean Cities Region)
• Great Lakes Brewing Company
• HealthSpace, the Cleveland Museum of Health
• NASA Glenn Research Center
Biodiesel is a diesel fuel that is made from vegetable oil pressed from U.S. grown crops like soy and corn. Typically
blended with regular diesel, it burns 25% cleaner, reduces smoke, eliminates the offensive smell of petroleum diesel
exhaust, and reduces our dependence on imported oil.
Biodiesel is clean, renewable, and made in the USA.
Additional information about biodiesel is available from:
• National Biodiesel Board: http://www.nbb.org
• U.S. EPA: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fue...s/altfuels.htm
Primary contact:
Ray Holan, President - Biodiesel Cleveland
Phone: (216) 771-4404, ext. 503
Email: ray@biodieselcleveland.com

mcoleman

I'm trying to get my local station to carry B20. He says the distributor told him no-one would buy it. My question to that was how would he know. Not a single station in this area carries bio fuels. I guess I'm going to have to have the dist bring me a 300 gallon tank of B20 road diesel to the farm.

Lightman

I know it has been a long battle for Ray, I think he's been working on this for the past 3 years. He had a slew of marathon stations all ready to put up b20 pumps, and for some reason that fell through. At one point the plan was to have 5 b20 pumps in Cleve...which would have been sweet, but oh well, one is better than none! Maybe you could email Ray (very nice guy) and get some tips on how to get things in motion/sell the idea to a station in your area. His contact info is listed above.

Then again, if I had the ability to, I'd certainly have a 500 or 1000 gal tank of fuel sitting right at home. Unfortunately where I live in the city, zoning laws prohibit it. Talk about convenience I know that even most petro diesel suppliers will give a discount off the price of fuel when you buy in that kind of bulk as well. I called one here locally a month or two ago to ask and I think the deal was if you bought 400 gals or more it was 10 cents off or something - nothing major but nonetheless, 10 cents off 3 months ago for a supply that would last you a while is more than 10 cents today with rising fuel prices!

nirion

Are there any issues running biodiesel on newer trucks?

Lightman

Not at B20 - which is only 20 % bio. It just gives you a nice cetane boost, major lubricity boost, and a nice patriotic feeling!

I haven't heard of enough ppl running b100 on 3rd gens to really know.

Lightman

Update - I just called the station, and the b20 tank is being filled right this minute. Looks like pay at the pump b20 starts in a few hours!!

smokindog

Lightman,

Sweet!!! I've been interested in bio for some time, but never felt like driving out to Norwalk for it. I know right were the new station is and will make a stop there sometime next week.

Where are you at in Cleveland? I grew up in West Park near W150th and Lorain.

Lightman

Smokindog - check your pm's.

FYI guys I just went to this station and filled up with b20 after lunch today. It's a very big, new, and clean station. I spoke with the owner, John, who is very excited about biodiesel. There are various signs denoting the biodiesel and a big banner saying that it's Cleveland's first bio station, and lists sponsors. I could post a pic at some point, getting the pic of my phone I'll have to do later. The price was $2.49/gal.

59FORD

WOW!!

I spent 25 years on The Gold Coast

I grew up in the Willoughby - Mentor - Painsville area

I worked at White Motors Corp. East 72nd and St. Clair

However, I got layed off May 5th 1975 ...................... gee time sure flys.


Be sure and tell folks that 55th and Payne ain't Mr. Rogers neighborhood

smokindog

Yeah 59FORD, we know about that neighborhood.

I did a lot of work last year near 78th and Woodland. During the daylight hours it isn't too bad, but after dark you had better be taking advantage of our new CCW.


72nd and Saint Clair!? No kidding, I shared some space from 2001-late 2004 in the old Eaton Axle building on 140th near Saint Clair. Just north of the old Fisher Body Company site.

59FORD

I lived on 65th and Lansing Ave. for a few years, right across from
the Union of Poles in America hall. Just down the street from Drew Carey

The Warsaw Tavern is on 65th about 1/2 a block from where I lived.



CLEVELAND ROCKS!

smokindog

It used to!!!


Lightman, No PM! I'll send you one!

Lightman

Cleveland rocks a lot more than it used to, dunno where you are smokin! As far as nightlife, restaurants, and concerts it's better than when I used to live here. Not sure about otherwise though or the job market, and no, I'm not referring to the area where the pump is as a place that rocks It isn't the greatest area, but in the daytime it's extremely busy. Plus all of the local element looked at me like some crazy redneck cracker in the big cummins, I think they were probably scared I was gonna hop out in camoflauge, chewing dip, with a shotgun and a white hat/robe..

CCW is always a nice security backup - Ohio passed the law just before I moved up from FL, and they honor some 20 other states ccw permits...so I didn' thave to do anything but keep my FL one.

Lightman

Bump for biodiesel!

A lot of guys have commented on visiting this station during the daytime rather than at night. Might not be a bad idea after visiting the station and talking with a few others that live near there, Come strapped with your gat!