Encinitas, California, October 15, 2007— An intense interest in biofuels has developed as a result of high petroleum prices, concerns about the future viability of petroleum resources, and an increasing awareness of the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuel combustion. Biodiesel is a clean-burning, renewable fuel produced from agricultural sources (such as vegetable oils and animal fats) that can be used by most compression-ignition (diesel) engines with few or no modifications. Biodiesel can be used with existing industrial equipment and infrastructure, offering an immediate means of offsetting part of the current demand for petroleum-based fuels. Benefits of biodiesel include reduced emissions of greenhouse gasses and other harmful pollutants, enhanced national energy security, job creation, and expanded markets for domestic agricultural products.

Chris Guay, PhD, Director of Research and Development for Community Fuels, will present a general overview of the biodiesel production process and current challenges related to cost, overall energy budget, and environmental effects. Active research initiatives will be discussed, including the development of alternative feedstocks, new classes of reaction catalysts, and novel technologies for increasing production efficiency. The meeting of the Northern California Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers will be held in Berkeley, California on October 18, 2007. You can learn more about the meeting at http://aiche-norcal.org/Meetings/oct07_north.php.

ABOUT COMMUNITY FUELS:
American Biodiesel, Inc. does business as Community Fuels, with offices in Encinitas and Stockton, California. Community Fuels is a biodiesel production company developing a regional model to produce high quality, renewable, clean energy. Primary areas of focus include production and wholesale of high quality biodiesel, research and development of process technologies and alternative feedstocks and outreach and training on the benefits of biodiesel and its proper use and handling. The company’s primary biodiesel processing plant is under construction at the Port of Stockton.

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