20%!

A few minutes ago we passed the 20% marker of our production goal of 600 gallons of renewable diesel. If I haven't explained it yet, "renewable diesel" is the next generation of diesel fuel: it's identical in its chemical properties to diesel fuel but comes from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils or fats, oils and greases. This is different from biodiesel which is a methyl-ester--a fuel that resembles the performance characteristics of diesel but its not compatible with pipelines, cars and trucks. We are producing a hydrocarbon that is a direct diesel fuel replacement.

Last night was our 4th night of continuous production. Ben, Peter and I each take a shift with a back up from Equipo Mexicano: Jose and Jaime. We've also enjoyed the support of friends like Papa Rosen who bring beer and pizza and Jason Burnett who come in their Faconable shirts and "write memos".

We are set up at the old Fritzche Airfield in Marina, CA on the edge of the old Fort Ord military base just north of my hometown. We are surrounded by sand dunes (where I have been driving out to sleep whenever i can). On the east end of the runway starts the glorious Salinas Valley.