BioFuel Oasis

1 star rating June 29, 2009

Soutien F.
1 review
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"Biodiesel: Solution or Problem?"

[excerpt from fact sheet: http://www.energyjustice.net/biodiesel/factsheet.pdf ]

In the U.S., nearly all biodiesel is produced from (mostly biotech) soybeans, produced through industrial agriculture. Only a tiny fraction comes from used vegetable oil. Elsewhere in the world, biodiesel production is linked to massive destruction of rainforests, peatlands, savannas, and grasslands as thousands of acres worldwide are cleared to plant palm oil and soybean plantations.

The production and consumption of biodiesel from crops has serious negative effects, including water and soil depletion, air and water pollution, global warming pollution, genetic pollution from biotech crops, hunger, and net energy loss. Humans have already developed the majority of prime agricultural land, and are destroying much of that every day through poor farming practices and urban sprawl. When talking about biofuels, the question arises: will we feed cars or people? Since the start of 2006, the average world prices for wheat, corn, and soybeans have risen 136%, 125%, and 107%, respectively, due in large part to both rising global populations and the push for biofuels.

Biodiesel from soy uses a lot of land and energy. Conventional soy production uses fertilizers made with natural gas, herbicides made from petroleum and other energy inputs (machinery, refining, transportation) and natural resources (water, soil). While corn-based ethanol is energy intensive, soy-based biodiesel is land intensive taking 5 times more land to produce the equivalent of biofuel energy.

Consider vegetarianism saving land from wasteful cycling of food crops through animals to produce food; however, vegetarians using biodiesel made from soybeans are usurping 6 times more land for their cars than their beef-eating counterparts are for cows.

Read more: http://www.energyjustice.net/biodiesel/factsheet.pdf

Soutien's keywords: biodiesel problem

business review of BioFuel Oasis : 1 star

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5 star rating June 29, 2009

Jay G.
17 reviews
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I'm a huge fan

I have been going to the Biofuel Oasis for about 5 years and I'm super excited for their new location! Finally, the East Bay has a real live alternative fuel station, in a great location. I can trust that the fuel is as sustainably sourced as absolutely possible...last I checked it was recycled oil coming from a potato chip factory in Central Cal.

Plus the new location has all kinds of cool local farming stuff, like chicken feed and materials for beekeeping. My 4 year old son loves going there and loves the ladies that run the shop (oh, yeah, it's an all-female-owned co-op too). You'll see him wearing his BioFuelOasis shirt very proudly.

Thanks so much for the great service and great product.

Jay's keywords: Biofuel veggie oil diesel alternative fuel Berkeley Biofuel Oasis recycled oil local

business review of BioFuel Oasis : 5 stars

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5 star rating July 13, 2007

Ken O.
115 reviews
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Great people, great values, great fuel

I've only purchased biodiesel from BFO once, but enjoyed the experience. They're moving soon to an old abandoned gas station in Berkeley with four pumps instead of one.

Melissa, Gretchen and other staff here are really knowledgable and nice. Support your local business and shop here!

Ken's keywords: biofuel oasis berkeley biodiesel car truck

business review of BioFuel Oasis : 5 stars

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5 star rating November 12, 2006

Wesley L.
1 review
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local biodiesel station and info center

Biofuel Oasis is perhaps the first comprehensive biodiesel retailer in the East Bay of the SF Bay Area. I was around when biodiesel was really new in the Bay Area and the ladies of Biodiesel Oasis were driving the movement from the get go. They offer information for the newcomer to biodiesel. They sell literature on the subject and sell useful support parts for converting automobiles in the minimal ways that cars need to be converted when they do at all. A truly great source of this alternative eco, freedom fuel!!!

Wesley's keywords: biodiesel

business review of BioFuel Oasis : 5 stars

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3 star rating November 11, 2006

Jacque B.
2 reviews
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the expense of going green

Locations are only 1 in the state of California. Price is over $1.00 per gallon than regular diesel. Current price is $3.70/per gallon. The fuel gets worse gas mileage than regular diesel. So, why do we do it? We pay more, loose mileage and drive the distance to fill up with their kind of hours....closed Sunday and Monday. Tuesday thru Thursday 4pm to 8pm....Friday by appointment only, Saturday I think is the only day they are open around 1pm. Going green makes me feel good, but we need to supply drivers with a better fuel. more cost effective with hours that fit our lifestyles. Thanks

Jacque's keywords: bio diesel

business review of BioFuel Oasis : 3 stars

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