nhayssen's blog

Missouri is looking at setting a biodiesel mandate of 5% which could match the highest biodiesel mandate in the country.

New Mexico will be B5 by 2012 and four other states have B2 mandates.

The Missouri bill passed the first preliminary approval hurdle this week and now needs to be voted on in the state House and Senate before moving forward.

In South Dakota, the Governor has signed into law a piece of legislation that drops the tax on diesel fuel by two cents a gallon if it contains at least five percent biodiesel blended in.

The law begins once South Dakota can make at least 20 million gallons of the biofuel a year.

ECOMOTION is not a typical car dealership. First, there is the coffee shop just inside the front door. Second, the cars in the showroom are small and shaped a little funny. Some have only three wheels; one is available in a zebra print. All are powered by electric motors.

Ecomotion opened here in September 2007 and has sold about 125 automobiles, including the used hybrids that are kept in a separate showroom behind the information desk. Ecomotion has become one of the top-selling electric vehicle dealerships in the country, selling cars from Zap and Myers Motors.

“It was overwhelming for us to see that... read more here
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/automobiles/09DEALER.html?ex=136271880...

Get the Most Out of Your Gas

When you must use your car, follow these guidelines to conserve gas:

Service your car regularly. Keep your tires properly inflated. Don't let the car idle for more than 30 seconds. Accelerate gradually and stick to the speed limit. Use cruise control for highway driving, whenever possible. Turn off the air conditioner or dehumidifier when it's no longer needed.

Reduce your load—empty your trunk of all unnecessary items. Remove a roof rack when it's not in use. When buying a new car, choose a more efficient model, or consider buying a hybrid car. Don't buy fuel with a higher octane than your car's manufacturer recommends—it won't make your car run faster or better; it will just cost you more money!

Live Closer to Your Destinations
When looking for a new house, explore neighborhoods that are near your workplace, have public transportation, and offer easy access to the places you visit most often. A shorter commute can save you hundreds of miles—and hours—over the course of a year. Living close to your destinations also makes it much easier for your family to downsize to one car, reducing a big chunk of household expenses.

Provided by: http://life.familyeducation.com

Start a "Walking School Bus"
If your children's school is within walking distance of your home, here's a fun, safe, and active way for kids of all ages to travel to and from school. The idea is for one or more adults to accompany children as they walk along a set route.

stops in the afternoon. This win-win solution reduces traffic on the road, gives everyone healthful exercise, lets kids have fun with their friends, and teaches them safety and independence. When the weather is bad, a carpool can temporarily fill in, following the same route.