NeXgen Fuel partnered with Eco Trek to fuel its “Eco-Expedition vehicle”, a Chevy Colorado with NEXDIESEL Renewable Diesel during its coverage of SEMA and the Baja 1000, including environmental programs in Baja. Learn more about Eco Trek, its Educational Outreach, Research Sharing and Events/Tour Schedule at Ecotrek.com.
Renewable Diesel
Renewable Diesel Use in California Moves to Fast Track
Memo Terrones, Golden Gate Petroleum driver, returns a nozzle to the fuel truck after a Capitol Corridor locomotive is filled with renewable diesel at the Amtrak Maintenance Facility in Oakland.
This is reposted from the San Franciso Chronicle.
Story by Isha Salian | September 14, 2017 | Photos by Lea Suzuki.
Renewable diesel sounds like a contradiction in terms. But planners for the Capitol Corridor trains, which run between the Bay Area and the Sacramento region, see it as a way to slash climate-warming emissions.
“It’s pretty exciting for our industry,” said Jim Allison, manager of planning for the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. On Aug. 28, a train between Oakland and Auburn began running entirely on the fuel from Golden Gate Petroleum of Martinez — part of a test that, if successful, could herald its use throughout the Capitol Corridor system and in trains statewide.
The Bay Area is rapidly becoming a center for renewable diesel, which can be made from vegetable oils, restaurants’ oil waste or animal fats — material known in the industry as biomass. Unlike biodiesel, which has to be mixed in with petroleum diesel, the new fuel can go into a tank at 100 percent strength. The cities of San Francisco and Oakland and the San Jose Unified School District have begun using it in their vehicle fleets, and operators of San Francisco Bay ferries are looking at it too.
“We can sell every drop of renewable diesel we make,” said Eric Bowen, head of corporate business development for the Renewable Energy Group. The company sells the fuel mostly to the California market, he said. Its Louisiana plant can produce 75 million gallons of renewable diesel each year, and it is looking to expand its facilities.
Demand for renewable diesel has soared. In 2011, 2 million gallons of the fuel were used in California, according to the Air Resources Board, which sets rules for emissions and climate change in the state. In 2016, it was 250 million gallons — about 7 percent of all liquid diesel used.
California’s interest comes largely because of a policy called the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which requires a 10 percent reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2020. Simon Mui, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said that depending on what the renewable diesel is made from, it can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 15 to 80 percent. (Lifecycle emissions include growing the raw materials that turn into fuel; transporting and processing it; and finally burning it.) Renewable diesel also reduces fine particle pollution and other types of emissions, like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, Mui said.
Amtrak machinist Darrion Brown takes a sample of renewable diesel from the fuel tank
on a Capitol Corridor locomotive to be tested.
Some experts question how much the renewable diesel market can grow.
“The more we study biofuels, the less clear it is there’s very much of a sustainable supply,” said Daniel Kammen, a UC Berkeley professor who helped write California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Biofuels are always less efficient than electric vehicles, he said.
Kammen studies carbon emissions using a lifecycle analysis, analyzing the ecological impact of the entire process. From that perspective, “it really doesn’t matter the source of your material,” he said. “Getting large supplies of a truly sustainable biomass is a challenge.”
Proponents of renewable diesel point out that while passenger vehicles (which mostly run on gasoline, not diesel) seem likely to go electric in the near future, a more sustainable diesel may be a good option to reduce emissions for larger, heavier vehicles — at least until more powerful batteries are developed to make electric trucks and buses cost-effective.
“We don’t meet our state goals unless we have a full array of those electrified fleets as well as liquid-fuel-based fleets,” Mui said. “The key here is enabling all of these technologies to be on a level playing field, so a winner or winners can be determined by the market.”
Sam Wade, chief of the transportation fuels branch at the Air Resources Board, said that while heavy-duty vehicles may eventually switch to electric power, “there’s not that many applications that are fully viable today. We see (renewable diesel) as a nice near-term opportunity.”
Neste, a Finnish company that is the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel, makes between 800 million and 900 million gallons each year. The company said a major limit to growth is competing with the traditional diesel industry. “They’ve got an 80-year head start on us,” head of North American public affairs Dayne Delahoussaye said.
Not every company is able to build renewable diesel into a successful business. South San Francisco nutrition company TerraVia, formerly called Solazyme, struck an agreement in 2015 with UPS to supply its trucks with renewable diesel derived from algae oil. But the company, which sold its assets in a bankruptcy sale this week, had shifted away from renewable fuels partly, it said, due to a decline in crude oil prices. (UPS continues to use renewable diesel in some of its trucks, mostly in California.)
Propel Fuels, a Sacramento company that operates 32 retail locations selling renewable diesel, says it keeps its prices competitive with petroleum diesel. “We don’t think a market exists for premium-price renewable diesel,” said CEO Rob Elam.
Elam said Propel has a large presence in disadvantaged communities, serving customers who want to choose cleaner fuels but cannot afford electric vehicles. Other renewable diesel customers pick the fuel for higher power and mileage, he said.
Richmond resident James Clappier has been using renewable diesel from Propel Fuels in his 1994 Dodge Ram 2500 since the company began stocking the fuel in 2015. “I need a large truck for my business, but feel bad for using such an inefficient vehicle,” he said.
Capitol Corridor trains have been testing diesel alternatives for a few years, and its switch last month to 100 percent renewable diesel for the Oakland-Auburn run makes it the first train in the state to run on the fuel, Allison said. If further tests go well, all Capitol Corridor trains could switch over to renewable diesel by next summer, according to Dean Shepherd, manager of mechanical services.
Allison estimates that shifting to renewable diesel in all of its locomotives, which each need about 70 gallons of fuel per hour, would reduce the trains’ greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds. He is optimistic that testing will go well.
“If there were any issues, we’d see them quickly,” he said.
Isha Salian is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Salian_Isha
ACT Expo Webinar – The Potential of Renewable Diesel for Your Fleet
ACT Expo Webinar:
The Potential of Renewable Diesel for Your Fleet
Pat O’Keefe, President and CEO of NeXgen Fuel clears the air and gives the facts about Renewable Diesel and Evan Speers, Chief, Office of Fleet Asset Management, Department of General Services, State of California shares insights on how effectively Renewable Diesel has turned the State’s fleets GREEN.
Learn about the vehicle omission benefits of renewable diesel and how it differs from biodiesel.
As a 100% drop-in fuel, renewable diesel offers GHG and criteria pollutant emissions reduction without any infrastructure or vehicle modification required. Leading agencies are already seeing its potential and use in the medium- and heavy-duty transportation space as a way to displace fossil diesel.
This webinar covers:
- Core differences between renewable diesel and biodiesel
- Fuel availability, cost and procurement considerations
- Environmental benefits and limitations
- Vehicle performance and maintenance impacts
- Case studies from fleets already using it
Learn from leading renewable diesel experts so you can understand whether it makes sense for your fleet.
NEXDIESEL Performs Flawlessly at 2016 SCORE Baja 1000
First time in racing history!
NeXgen Fuel/GGP/Safecraft/CLP Motorsports’ sponsored Trophy Truck #20 runs NEXDIESEL Renewable Diesel!
“NEXDIESEL Renewable Diesel exceeded our expectations in both power and fuel economy”
– Pat O’Keefe
Watch the 2016 SCORE Baja 1000 on CBS, Dec. 25, 2016, 9 pm ET*
*Subject to change, check local listings.
Dust Settles at Baja 1000 – Reflections on the World’s Toughest Race
Andy McMillin, Larry Roeseler, Pat O’Keefe and Tyler McQuarrie Race Recaps and Interviews for “DUST2GLORY”
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico – The season finale of the four-race 2016 SCORE World Desert Championship ended Sunday, November 20, with overall winners Rob MacCachren and Jason Voss in the spotlight, defeating 270 starters in cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads. Among 31 starters in the SCORE Trophy Truck division, Safecraft’s Andy McMillin and Larry Roeseler in Trophy Truck No. 31, placed seventh in class and seventh overall four-wheel to finish, while Tyler McQuarrie and Pat O’Keefe pushed Truck No. 20 to the limit by running NeXgen Fuel’s NEXDIESEL Renewable Diesel—the first time in racing history – in a new V6 Ecodiesel engine.
This year’s SCORE World Desert Championship was a loop race that started and finished in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 65 miles south of the U.S. Border at San Diego. Through a beautiful and often treacherous desert landscape, over boulders or miles of dirt coupled with extreme temperatures, drivers are mentally and physically challenged as they race across vehicle-destroying terrain. The Baja 1000 is truly one of the world’s toughest and grueling races known to man. It is an experience like no other, which has captivated award-winning documentary filmmaker Dana Brown in the latest film, due out mid-2017, entitled “Dust2Glory.” The documentary is a sequel which chronicles all four races in the 2016 SCORE Desert Championship featuring interviews with Andy McMillin, Larry Roeseler, Pat O’Keefe and Tyler McQuarrie.
Here’s a post-race recap:
ANDY McMILLIN: “At race mile 122 in the wash area, I took the wrong line where I hadn’t pre-run and I hit a big rock and tore out the drive shaft. I ended up putting a hole in the bottom of the transmission oil pan. We had to bring in a transmission and we got moving again after about an hour.”
LARRY ROESELER: “Finishing the SCORE Baja 1000 is a huge accomplishment for everybody. You never really conquer Baja. You maybe win a few and maybe finish a few but it is a tough race. We were battling the dust and after the sun went down there wasn’t any wind so that made it really tough trying to come through the traffic. When you come off the hills and see the lights of Ensenada it is a great feeling.”
PAT O’KEEFE: “I was finally able to fulfill a life-long dream, which was to race in the Baja 1000. I drove the start until road mile 210 with no issues. The experience is something I will never forget. It was a bittersweet race for me as we did not get the finish the truck deserved but that is Baja. There was so much work put into the building of this truck and it was only completed a few days before the race. The truck had less than 100 miles of testing on it prior to the start, so the fact that it ran flawlessly is a true testament to the team of builders. We identified some changes that need to be made to make it even more competitive but the durability of the V6 Ecodiesel engine and the fuel economy exceeded our expectations. We will be back stronger next race.”
TYLER MCQUARRIE: “This was my first Baja 1000 and it was truly life changing! I’ve always heard how Baja is the ultimate challenge and I can now say with experience that statement is 100% true! I got in the NeXgen Trophy truck at mile 210 and I got into a groove and everything was going to plan. Around mile marker 355 we lost the Steering Servo and we had to drive 20 miles with no power steering to our closest pit. It took about an hour to fix and we were on our way. At mile marker 410 we got into a complete “dust out” with zero visibility which resulted in us ending up in a big ditch and this ultimately ended our race. We may have not finished our first Baja 1000 but we gained a massive amount of experience and knowledge that we will carry onto the next race!”
The 2016 SCORE Baja 1000 is scheduled to be televised in a 2-hour special on the CBS Network on Sunday, December 25, 9 pm ET. (Subject to change, check local listings)
“Dust2Glory” is scheduled for release mid-2017.
About DUST2GLORY
From award-winning documentary filmmaker Dana Brown, Dust2Glory will chronicle each of the four races in the 2016 SCORE World Desert Championship. Brown’s original Dusty to Glory, released in 2005, became an iconic classic showcasing the legendary SCORE Baja 1000. Now, D2G, which began shooting at last year’s SCORE Baja 1000, and is continuing up close and personal coverage capturing the robust racers in their amazing adventures in Mexico’s majestic Baja California peninsula through all four spectacular 2016 races ending with this year’s 49th SCORE Baja 1000. It is scheduled for theatrical release in mid-2017.
NeXgen Fuel and Safecraft Team Up
Safecraft and NeXgen Fuel Team Up
In 2-pronged Attack of the 49th Baja 1000
Driver Line-up includes 2016 Baja 500 Winner Andy McMillin and ‘The Legend’ Larry Roeseler in McMillin’s Trophy Truck # 31; Tyler McQuarrie, Best Multipurpose Driver and Team Owner Pat O’Keefe in Safecraft/NeXgen Fuel’s Trophy Truck #20
Pittsburg, Calif. – NeXgen Fuel, provider of “NEXDIESEL,” the best alternative renewable diesel on the market and Safecraft Fire Suppression Systems, the racing industry’s standard for fire safety for over 20 years and have teamed up in a double sponsorship of two Trophy Trucks at the 49th Anniversary of the Baja 1000, Nov. 16-18. While 5-time Baja 1000 champion and recent Best in the Desert’s Vegas to Reno winner Andy McMillin and ‘The Legend’ Larry Roeseler, 13-time Baja 1000 champion and Off-Road Hall of Famer rally behind the wheel in McMillin’s TSCO-built Trophy Truck #31, Tyler McQuarrie, one of the world’s best multipurpose drivers and veteran-racer Team Owner Pat O’Keefe will also vie for victory in NeXgen Fuel’s Trophy Truck #20, built by CLP Motorsports.
Not only will this be the first time the two most victorious and notorious Baja 1000 Trophy Truck drivers are teaming up–immediately making them a pre-race favorite— it’s also the first time in racing history a Trophy Truck will run on NeXgen’s NEXDIESEL Renewable Diesel to demonstrate the high-performance characteristics of one of the most dynamic fuels made from renewable and sustainable raw materials.
“The 2-pronged approach for Baja is summed up by using the best innovative technology and equipment available AND drawing on experience, skill and grit,” said Pat O’Keefe, CEO and President of NeXgen Fuel and Safecraft . “The very success and uncompromising reputation of NeXgen Fuel and Safecraft – and that of Tyler, Andy and LR—are driven by the same concept. There’s no doubt we’re going to be seeing some interesting results overall.”
“I’m looking forward to finishing strong and pushing it to the limit,” said Tyler McQuarrie, one of the most versatile and best multipurpose drivers who has raced nearly nonstop this year, finishing Safecraft’s #RaceEverything campaign in Baja. “What better place than Baja for the grand finale of a year of tremendous successes!”
“Being at the forefront of technology in off-road racing is my passion and strategically partnering with NeXgen Fuel and Safecraft is an exciting opportunity,” said Andy McMillin. “These companies are used to pushing the envelope without sacrificing quality or safety. They’re in it to win and so am I.”
“Baja presents its own set of challenges. It’s one of the world’s toughest races because of the sheer unpredictability, extreme conditions and ultimate test of will and endurance,” said Larry Roeseler. “We’ve got a strong line-up, great sponsors and crew. I’m looking forward to see it all come together in Baja.”
About Safecraft Safety Equipment
Safecraft Safety Equipment is the leading provider of fire suppression systems and is used by most of the top professionals in a wide range of industries including Motorsports, Automotive, Aviation and Marine. For over 20 years, Safecraft is known for its innovative design and use of the highest quality components available.
Safecraft extinguishers are used by more NASCAR, NHRA, NASA and SCCA teams than any other brand and is the only manufacturer to offer several models of extinguishers and extinguishing agents approved to SFI 17.1
Visit www.safecraft.com for more information.
About NeXgen Fuel
NEXGEN Fuel is dedicated to distributing and marketing the highest quality, next generation fuels to private and public fleets, consumers and environmentally-conscious organizations. The first NEXGEN Fuel to be offered is NEXDIESEL Renewable Diesel, a superior quality diesel fuel. Learn more at www.nexgenfuel.com.
About NEXDIESEL Renewable Diesel
NEXDIESEL Renewable Diesel by NeXgen Fuel is produced from 100% renewable and sustainable raw materials. (Note: It is NOT Biodiesel, a common misperception). This low carbon fuel has the same chemical properties as petroleum diesel and meets the petroleum diesel specification (ASTM D975) yet is petroleum-free. This premium quality, dynamic fuel allows fleets to seamlessly switch without additional investment or engine modifications. In addition, renewable diesel burns cleaner equating to a reduction in maintenance costs and a significant reduction in emissions.
About Andy McMillin
Andy McMillin is a third generation off-road racing prodigy. Andy’s passion for off-road racing began at the age of 2 when he started going to Baja to “pre-run” the race courses in the back of his dad’s Ford Bronco in a modified car seat. His racing career began at the age of 14 driving Class 1 Unlimited Buggies in the FUD series in Plaster City, CA. Andy officially drove his first SCORE Baja race in 2003, where he and his family were featured in the ‘Dust to Glory’ film. In 2006, Andy progressed to the premier Trophy Truck class and that same year became the youngest driver to win the Baja 1000 Overall title. At just 29 years old, he is tied for most Baja 1000 Overall titles in a four-wheel vehicle in the history of the sport with five (2006, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015). Andy is also one of the few drivers in the sport who have won Baja’s Triple Crown Overall in a four-wheel vehicle: the San Felipe 250 (in his Class 1 car), Baja 500 and Baja 1000. Andy has had success in the United States races as well, having won the Parker 425, Nevada 1000, Vegas to Reno 1000 and is one of the few drivers who have won the infamous Mint 400 Overall twice. Andy has an unheard of winning percentage of 35% and podium percentage of 54%, proving his place amongst the greatest the sport has ever seen.
About Larry Roeseler
Larry Roeseler is an American professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 13-time overall winner of SCORE’S Baja 1000, and has also won numerous times in the Best in the Desert Series. Roeseler is 2-time overall winner of the Las Vegas to Reno and has numerous American Motorcycle Association off-road titles including National Hare and Hound and National Enduro championships. Larry Roeseler is a Hall of Fame Inductee of the American Motorcycle Association and an Off Road Motorsport Hall of Famer. “…the greatest multi-discipline SCORE desert racer in history.”
SCORE Journal Cover Story, Sept/Oct 2016 ‘Mr. Baja’ Larry Roeseler: www.score-international.com.
About Tyler McQuarrie
Tyler McQuarrie grew up in Walnut Creek, CA and started racing karts when was 14. He won the Formula Russell Championship and the Russell Triple crown in 1998. McQuarrie is the 3rd and only American to win the World Scholarship in England and then spent 2 years racing formula Vauxhall in Europe. He has also spent time racing USF2000, American LeMans, USAC Sprint cars and NASCAR West Series. McQuarrie has since become one of the top drift drivers in Formula Drift and is also one of the best multi-purpose drivers in the country. In 2016, Tyler competed in Formula Drift, Trophy Truck, Stadium Super Trucks, ARCA, IMSA, and NASA as part of his #RaceEverything campaign.
About Pat O’Keefe
Pat’s successful corporate career as President and CEO of NeXgen Fuel and Safecraft Safety Equipment, Vice President of Golden Gate Petroleum and CEO and President of CLP Motorsports had its humble beginning as a successful racer in his youth. His passion for automobiles and motorsports lead to an impressive racing career starting at the age of 12 where he has since raced anything with an engine including jet skis, boats, motorcycles, karts and cars with NASCAR, SCCA, NASA, IMCA and others. Pat started CLP Motorsports after realizing the need for a world class customer-focused motorsports shop. He started NeXgen Fuel by recognizing the need to meet customer’s demands for a high quality, clean-burning, high performance premium renewable diesel. Pat is continually driven to find innovative ways to champion clean alternative fuels like NEXDIESEL Renewable Diesel for use in the automotive industry.
Green Fleet Contra Costa County Moves to Renewable Diesel
Originally published by Government-Fleet.com
Contra Costa County, Calif. has switched from biodiesel to R99 renewable diesel to fuel many of its heavy-duty diesel vehicles, including more than 220 diesel-powered municipal public works trucks, specialty vehicles, and equipment. In making the switch, the county expects to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 65% and an estimated 5,000 tons annually. Other benefits include a reduction of NOX and a 33% reduction of particulate matter PM 2.5, according to the county.
The county will purchase renewable diesel from Golden Gate Petroleum, which also provides renewable diesel for the San Francisco region.
“Switching over to renewable diesel delivers direct reductions in GHG and lowers our carbon footprint on our planet,” said Stan Burton, Contra Costa County’s material, and recycling manager.
Contra Costa County has recently tripled its purchase of electric vehicles, doubled its electric vehicle charging stations, and continues to purchase compressed natural gas vehicles, said Fleet Manager Carlos Velasquez.
Other California fleets that have moved to renewable diesel include the City of Long Beach, Sacramento County, Alameda and San Joaquin Counties, City of Carlsbad, and City of San Francisco. Oregon fleets using renewable diesel include the Eugene Water & Electric Board and the City of Corvallis.
