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Fueling the
Future
How three locals are
saving the world, one soy bean at a time
By Penelope George
Published on 07/20/2006
[ view additional photos
]
David Spence, Rand Anderson, AndersonÕs sweet 1973
Telecaster, and Andy Bessler kick back on their 2,500-gallon
biodiesel tanker. Photo by Jake Bacon
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If you havent met him personally, chances are you have seen
him around town playing in one of many local bands. He looks
like the type of person who just belongs in Flagstaff with
his long dreads, laid-back style and friendly
disposition.
Even though he has only lived in Flagstaff for about six
years, Rand Anderson has gained a reputation as
guitar-player extraordinaire and all-around cool guy. But
Anderson has found a niche in town that had yet to be filled
and turned it from a much-needed possibility into
full-fledged reality.
Mountain Biofuel, Flagstaffs first retail distributor of
biodiesel, opened for business recently with Anderson taking
the helm as president. The beneficial business venture is
the culmination of years of engine tinkering, impromptu
chemistry lessons, and long days at car shows and truck
stops. It all started, as most great ideas do, at a party
where Andersons friends were discussing the manufacturing
and use of biodiesel.
I wanted to know, if this stuff was so great, why I
couldnt buy it, Anderson says.
After researching the subject, Anderson decided to take
matters into his own hands. He bought a 1986 Isuzu Trooper
and converted the engine to run on grease kindly donated by
Pesto Bros. However, when it came to starting a business,
Anderson never intended to become an environmental
entrepreneur.
This is something I thought would never happen, Anderson
says. All I wanted was enough in my backyard to fuel my own
vehicles.
But the more time he invested, the more Anderson learned
about the capabilities of biodiesel and the positive effects
that could result from a local distribution business.
In explaining the technicalities of biodiesel, Anderson is
quick to claim, Im no chemist. Though his speedy,
jargon-filled definition seems to prove the contrary. For
those who didnt major in organic chemistry, here is the
rundown according to the National Biodiesel Board:
Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from
domestic, renewable resources. The fuel is composed of long
chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal
fats. It is combustible but non-flammable, non-toxic,
biodegradable, and essentially free of sulfur and
particulates. The fuel contains no petroleum but is
typically mixed with petroleum diesel at various levels.
B100 represents pure biodiesel fuel, while B20 is 20 percent
biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum
diesel.
Any diesel vehicle can easily run on pure biodiesel, though
most commercial vehicles have made the switch use B20, which
performs better in cold weather. Mountain Biofuel is selling
exclusively B100 made from soybean oil, but has still found
a market with commercial vehicles like armored cars and
trucking companies that simply add in petroleum diesel
themselves.
But Anderson remains a purist and has since upgraded his
Isuzu Trooper to a 2004 Jetta that runs solely on
B100.
In a couple of years when gas is $10 a gallon and only
Paris Hilton can afford it, Ill still be driving my
biodiesel, he says.
Luckily, there are celebrities willing to set a good example
by using biodiesel and they are coming to Anderson for their
supply. One of his first customers was Melissa Etheridge who
bought hundreds of gallons of B100 to fill three tour buses
and a semi truck on her way through northern Arizona a few
weeks ago. And contrary to her lyrics, shes not the only
one. Anderson has also been contacted by Pearl Jam who use
biodiesel in their five buses and seven trucks and need a
refill as they pass through.
Some people are afraid to try something new, so Im glad
these musicians are willing to send a message, Anderson
says. I really want to see this take off in the consumer
market.
Mountain Biofuel is doing its part to make biodiesel
accessible to everyone. Aside from serving commercial
companies and musical caravans, MBF will deliver a 55-gallon
drum to anyone who can put down a $20 deposit on the barrel.
Customers can then fuel up at their leisure at the cost of
$3.10 per gallon, only two cents higher than the statewide
diesel average of $3.08.
Currently, MBF buys biodiesel produced by American farmers
and has it shipped by truck. They make deliveries in their
own 2,500 gallon truck, which will have to be refilled two
to three times per month. Anderson is hoping that local
demand will increase and he can have larger amounts of fuel
shipped by train, which may ultimately lower the price per
gallon.
Were not making money. Were a public service, and Im
fine with that, Anderson says.
So why make the switch to biodiesel? Even if the price per
gallon is the same as gasoline, diesel engines run up to 30
percent more efficiently, Anderson points out. But his
primary motivations are deeper than his pockets. Anderson
believes the use of biodiesel is the most practical solution
for reducing our dependence on foreign oil, supporting
American farmers, and achieving cleaner air and a stable and
renewable fuel supply.
It wont solve all the worlds problems today, but at least
its a starting point, he says.
Indeed, biodiesel has proved vastly superior to
petroleum-based fuels in environmental testing. It is
registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a
viable fuel or fuel additive and is the only alternative
fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing
requirements of the Clean Air Act. When tested against
standard petroleum diesel, the emissions of B100 biodiesel
released 67 percent less unburned hydrocarbons, and nearly
50 percent less carbon monoxide and particulate matter,
according to the National Biodiesel Board.
Anderson is hoping that as more people realize the positive
effects of using biodiesel, the demand across the country
will grow and force an increase of
supply.
Its all about taking personal responsibility for the world
you live in, Anderson says. I was raised that you leave a
place better than you found it.
For now, Mountain Biofuel is doing its part by making an
alternative option available to the public. Although the
operation is starting small, the MBF crew is dedicated to
making a difference. Andy Bessler, the regional
representative for the Sierra Club, is also vice president
of Mountain Biofuel and is excited about what the business
will mean for the Flagstaff community.
Burning Mountain Biofuels biodiesel is a positive step
diesel owners can take to make our air cleaner and our world
safer, he says. We look forward to serving northern
Arizona with alternative fuels like
biodiesel.
Mountain Biofuel also has the backing of the city. Since
2003, Flagstaff has run its city vehicles on biodiesel with
positive results. City Conservation Manager Jonathan Koehn
says MBF is responding to the communitys needs and believes
the business will play an important role in Flagstaffs
future.
While Anderson himself hopes Mountain Biofuel will be
successful enough to expand, some of his goals are more
modest.
I hope more than anything it makes people aware that they
have a choice, he says. Vote with your dollar; buy biodiesel.
Additional photos for this story:
Lonny Martin, foreman of KCS Construction Services, fills up
a back hoe with biodiesel supplied by Mountain Biofuel.
Photo by Martina Lee
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Bessler fills a 55-gallon drum with biodiesel for KCS
Construction Services. Photo by Martina Lee
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Savoring the greasy smell of future: Spence, Anderson and
Bessler admire their groundbreaking, clean, efficient
friend, biodiesel. Photo by Jake Bacon
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Photo by Jake Bacon
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Photo by Jake Bacon
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Photo by Jake Bacon
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Photo by Jake Bacon
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