Lots of new FlexFuels in 2009

I was just checking out the list of FlexFuel Vehicles (FFV) for model year 2009 and I have to give some big kudos to Chevy. Out of the 16 engine options they are offering, 13 are FFVs.

Vehicles that have FFV engines can use any ethanol blend of up to 85% ethanol, automatically adjusting engine timing to accomodate the fuel blend. Ethanol is much cleaner burning; a car running on E85 will decrease its Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 41%. (This number takes into account the fact that there is less energy in a gallon of ethanol than in a gallon of pure gasoline, meaning you will use more ethanol to go the same distance.) 85% Ethanol is generally the cheapest fuel around; if you are an Oregon resident, you also qualify for a $0.50 / gallon tax credit!

Historically, most FFVs have not been labeled as such - especially if you drive an American made vehicle, you might have an FFV and not even know it. Check out a list of all FlexFuel Vehicles at http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/flexfuelvehicles.php.

A list of all SeQuential E85 Ethanol pumps: http://www.sqbiofuels.com/locations.htm

More info on the Oregon Tax credit: http://www.sqbiofuels.com/tax_credit.html

New oil dropoff sites for the public

Do you have 10 gallons of oil you used to deep fry your turkey? Expired olive oil or salad dressing?

Now you can dispose of your vegetable oil responsibly, knowing that it will be turned into cleaner burning fuel!



Please call dropoff sites ahead of time for their hours:

Encore Oils: 503.954.2154
10111 NE 6th Dr, Portland

Salem Keizer Recycling & Transfer Station: 503.588.5169
3250 Deer Park Dr. SE, Salem

North Marion Recycling & Transfer Station: 503.588.5169
17827 Whitney Lane NE, Woodburn

SeQuential Retail: 541.736.5864
86714 McVay Hwy, Eugene

If you are a restaurant or a processing facility and have commercial levels of used cooking oil, Encore Oils will buy your oil from you! Call 503.954.2154 for more information.

What irrigated crop takes up three times more US landmass than corn?

What irrigated crop takes up three times more US landmass than corn?
Look no farther than your front lawn.

This is a story that was released a few years ago, but is still very relevant: people's lawns are slurping up a huge amount of water, fertilizer and herbicides, but giving very little back.

I'm going to try to keep this post from going too much into the benefits of urban gardens, and I know it leaves out those who live in apartments, but the impact of your (or your landlord's) lawn is something you should consider:

• If you water your lawn, what time of day is it - think of evaporation.
• If you water your lawn, is there runoff onto your driveway or sidewalk?
  
• Could your lawn be doing more? Food, flowers and grass alternatives all make more of a positive impact than a lawn.

This is not to say that you should not have a lawn altogether - it is a very nice luxury - but think about how much water you use (dried out grass doesn't need to be mowed!) and if there are any areas in your yard that would work for flowers, bushes, vegetables or berries.

The world is facing many macro issues and quite honestly sometimes it makes you feel a bit helpless. But, as they say, change starts at home, and your personal water / land usage can make a positive impact on the world.

Other tips for saving water:

• Turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth
• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry
• Fix dripping and leaking faucets and toilets
• Take shorter showers
• Wash cars less frequently
• Water lawns and gardens on alternate evenings, not every day
• Raise your lawn mower blade height; longer grass needs less water

Get involved: Growing Gardens Portland
Bonus further reading: Sowing the Seeds of Urban Farming.