The Rural Voice, 2002-06, Page 36One of most controversial aspects
of the renewable fuel debate centres
on the "hidden" cost$ of fossil fuels.
The report of the Liberal caucus
committee states the problem quite
clearly. "The hidden health,
environmental and social costs
associated with conventional fossil
fuel -based energy must be reflected
in the market price."
Both federal and provincial
studies indicate tremendous
costs associated with
pollution. The Ontario Medical
Association estimates that air
pollution alone costs Ontario citizens
more than $1 billion in hospital costs
and absenteeism.
Referencing several sources the
Liberal caucus report states, "Once
we include approximate
environmental and health costs,
renewable energy is in fact cheaper
than energy from many conventional
sources." All of the foregoing leads
to what might be termed the "if
you're so smart why aren't you rich"
question. Or more accurately — if
the idea is so good why aren't
business and industry doing it?
The fact is they are doing it
slowly, very slowly. There are
•
problems however and until they are
addressed the use of biodiesel will
remain extremely limited.
First and foremost biodiesel is
more expensive than its fossil fuel
counterpart. The removal of taxes
will go some way towards narrowing
the gap but unless the "hidden" costs
are added to fossil duels in some
manner the gap will not be
eliminated.
The problem is, according to
�A lot of people talk the
environment but when
you ask them to talk
with their pocket book
they become very quiet.»
Haig, "A lot of people talk the
environment but when you ask them
to talk with their pocket book they
become very quiet."
The availability issue has also
created a chicken and egg problem.
With no supply there is no market,
and with no market there is no
supply. This is probably going to
change shortly.
•
r•I
32 THE RURAL VOICE
A number of cities in the US have
begun large-scale use of B20 and the
American military, Department of
Agriculture and NASA all make
some use of the fuel. In Canada both
the City of Montreal and Toronto
Hydro have instituted pilot programs
to study the feasibility of using B20
in their fleets
It is apparent, however, that
substantial gains for the biodiesel
industry will not be made until
governments undertake to mandate
its use as a means of meeting
pollution reduction targets. The new
Canadian sulfur content regulations
(reducing the sulfur content of fuels
from 500 parts per million to 15
ppm) approximate this in that one of
the best practical alternatives to
sulfur as a lubricant in fossil diesel is
biodiesel.
As little as two per cent by
volume of biodiesel provides a
replacement for the lubricating
properties of sulfur needed to ensure
the long life of engine components
like fuel pumps and injectors.
Biodiesel proponents have one
advantage that is denied advocates of
some other alternative fuels. As Bee
points out, "The fleet business is how
most diesel is distributed and used."
Biodiesel advocates are presented
with a relatively small number of
large targets. Further, the targeting of
the transit and similar government
fleets removes the necessity of
creating a distribution infrastructure
for the fuel.
The place of biodiesel and
indeed all biomass fuels, is and
will continue to be, the subject
of considerable discussion. Bee says,
"I see biodiesel as a niche market
amounting to about five per cent of
diesel fuel — 10 at the outside."
Reed on the other hand says, "I
believe the future for bio -fuels (in
Canada) is so large we could become
exporters to the U.S."
It is obvious that the use of
biodiesel and other biomass fuels
can, and will eventually help
Canadian farmers. Still the
suggestion in an Agriculture Canada
report that the farm income crisis
could be solved by the world's 30
largest economies replacing just eight
per cent of their fossil fuels with
renewable fuels seems a long way
off.0
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P.O. Box 457
Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 5P7
Tel. 519-376-6140 Fax 519-371-2783
Serving the farming community for over 50 years.
Phone one of our professionals and place your concrete
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Brad Underwood - Owen Sound - 519-376-8155
Brad Angel - Port Elgin , - 519-832-5706
Art McNally - Clarksburg - 519-599-3M0
Al Speirs - Durham - 519-369-2100
Brian Turgeon - Collingwood - 705-444-2224
Stone Slingers and dump trucks available for your
aggregate supply. We only use M.T.O. approved
aggregates to ensure quality. Concrete lab and certified
technicians available at your request.
r•I
32 THE RURAL VOICE
A number of cities in the US have
begun large-scale use of B20 and the
American military, Department of
Agriculture and NASA all make
some use of the fuel. In Canada both
the City of Montreal and Toronto
Hydro have instituted pilot programs
to study the feasibility of using B20
in their fleets
It is apparent, however, that
substantial gains for the biodiesel
industry will not be made until
governments undertake to mandate
its use as a means of meeting
pollution reduction targets. The new
Canadian sulfur content regulations
(reducing the sulfur content of fuels
from 500 parts per million to 15
ppm) approximate this in that one of
the best practical alternatives to
sulfur as a lubricant in fossil diesel is
biodiesel.
As little as two per cent by
volume of biodiesel provides a
replacement for the lubricating
properties of sulfur needed to ensure
the long life of engine components
like fuel pumps and injectors.
Biodiesel proponents have one
advantage that is denied advocates of
some other alternative fuels. As Bee
points out, "The fleet business is how
most diesel is distributed and used."
Biodiesel advocates are presented
with a relatively small number of
large targets. Further, the targeting of
the transit and similar government
fleets removes the necessity of
creating a distribution infrastructure
for the fuel.
The place of biodiesel and
indeed all biomass fuels, is and
will continue to be, the subject
of considerable discussion. Bee says,
"I see biodiesel as a niche market
amounting to about five per cent of
diesel fuel — 10 at the outside."
Reed on the other hand says, "I
believe the future for bio -fuels (in
Canada) is so large we could become
exporters to the U.S."
It is obvious that the use of
biodiesel and other biomass fuels
can, and will eventually help
Canadian farmers. Still the
suggestion in an Agriculture Canada
report that the farm income crisis
could be solved by the world's 30
largest economies replacing just eight
per cent of their fossil fuels with
renewable fuels seems a long way
off.0