Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 14:50:45 -0600 From: "Sean Ryan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Mpls] I saw a bus! I saw a metro transit bus yesterday on East Hennepin just north of Central Avenue. I did a double-take and realized that it was some sort of test bus. The bus, #6034, had 'low-sulfur diesel' printed on the sides. It also lacked the garish advertising boards. My questions; Who was driving it? What are the costs of a low-sulfur bus versus a low-fuel hybrid bus? Should we really be putting money into a low sulfur technology?, what about all of the other pollutants?
COMMENT: The refineries determine the sulfur content of the fuel. All diesel is supposed to be low sulfur fuel by federal law. There is a even lower sulfur standard that is due. That should not require any special technology. Combusted sulfur fouls the air. Uncombusted sulfur fouls the engine. The new lower sulfur fuel will be slightly more expensive because of additional processing. It will not be a special fuel with a special price. Currently, all Minnesota diesel fuel also includes a small amount of biodiesel. In sufficient quantities, biodiesel can reduce that black cloud that occurs when a diesel accelerates. 1993 studies at the National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado indicated that the maximum effective mix was 20% biodiesel and 80% low sulfur diesel. Of course it would significantly raise the price of diesel at that mix ratio based on current biodiesel production capacity. Biodiesel prices are coming down but will probably never be as cheap as petroleum based diesel. However, no special equipment changes are necessary. Thanks. John O'Neal Shenanigans Watch Northeast Minneapolis - Holland Neighborhood [EMAIL PROTECTED] REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
