In West Oakland, many older trucks and ships spew diesel fumes into the air. The fine particles from the diesel contribute to higher asthma rates, especially among children in West Oakland. KQED QUEST is airing a segment tonight on the problem and a few activists stepping up to reduce diesel pollution. Watch the video below!
I am planning to have a cafe on Bay area air quality in the next few months. Consider this a primer.

Soyatech’s Biofuel Index, a group tracking biofuel production capacity, reports a 93% increase in planned ethanol production capacity. Total planned ethanol production rose from 6.761 BGY to 13.03 BGY. In addition, growth of ethanol capacity under construction grew from 2.417 BGY to 7.226 BGY. Total online capacity for ethanol is up to 5.853 BGY, up 6% for the quarter.
Biodiesel is also showing strong growth going from 890 MGY to 1.255 BGY, a 41% gain. The expectations are that a $1 federal subsidy for biodiesel will be extended later this year.

Biofuel production is hot topic these days, both domestically and around the world. However, a recent study indicates that Biofuel production in poor water scarce countries may have severe negative impacts on water supply.
In India, the Linking of Rivers of project are designed to transfer water to water poor areas to support water intense agriculture. Indian sugarcane is 100% irrigated, the main biofuel crop for ethanol production. The amount of water evaporated is 3500 liters per liter of ethanol. In Brazil, it takes about 2200 liters of water, but …