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BioFuel Oasis Cooperative: Lessons in Starting a Biodiesel Station

BioFuel Oasis Cooperative: Lessons in Starting a Biodiesel Station. By Jennifer Radtke, Co-Founder. Original BioFuel Oasis 4th & Dwight, Berkeley, California Dec 2003 - April 2009. Retail biodiesel (B99.9) at the pump to individual customers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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BioFuel Oasis Cooperative: Lessons in Starting a Biodiesel Station

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  1. BioFuel OasisCooperative:Lessons in Starting a Biodiesel Station ByJennifer Radtke, Co-Founder

  2. Original BioFuel Oasis 4th & Dwight, Berkeley, CaliforniaDec 2003 - April 2009 • Retail biodiesel (B99.9) at the pump to individual customers in the San Francisco Bay Area

  3. BioFuel Oasis: Moved May 2009 • 1930s old gas station site on high traffic corner • Accessibility:4 nozzles, 7am - midnight availability • 8K Gallon Aboveground Tank • Urban Farm Store

  4. Most Sustainable Station in the Nation! • Recycled Biodiesel made within 200 mile radius • Powered by Solar • Native & Edible Landscaping • Waste Veg Oil Collection • Beyond Individual Car Use

  5. BioFuel Oasis: Who We Are • Women, Worker-Owned Cooperative • All drive cars on biodiesel (B99) • Newest members have been here 5 yrs

  6. Fuel Market • When is most fuel sold? • Petro prices go up every spring • How Petro prices affect Biodiesel • Spring Fuel Shortages

  7. Customers: Who They Are • Typical customer: 30s, drives a VW TDI • Businesses: Solar PV installers, Green Builders, Landscapers • Affected by price of petroleum diesel

  8. Biodiesel Education: A Success • 10 minute talk to first-time customers • Call us before your mechanic • Appearance of biodiesel cannotbe described over the phone. • Communicate: regarding priceand blends

  9. Biodiesel: The Revolution • Personal Connection • Gives People Power - Changes people’s lives • Getting Along

  10. Location, Location, Location! • On major corner in Berkeley • 1 mile from Interstate 80on Freeway exit

  11. Permitting • Charm and educate. • Don’t argue. Ask permitting people what they need. • Be a nerd. • Be Patient (Triple whatever timeframes they give you). • Get elected officials and economic development on your side.

  12. Funding the Original Station Length of time: 9 months

  13. Funding new station

  14. Financial Planning • Business plan • Monthly Projections & Analysis • Don’t run at a deficit. • Spend money you’ve already earned

  15. Make Allies • Create an industry, not just a business • Create long-term relationships with natural allies. • Cooperation not competition

  16. Diversify income Urban Farm Store • Chicken, Rabbit and Goat Feed • Beekeeping Supplies • Urban Homesteading Classes in Winter

  17. Working with Biodiesel • Change the Fuel Filter Mantra • No spill policy • Big Spill Preparedness • Fuel quality testing - how it looks

  18. Vision & Set Goals • Vision meeting yearly • Check in on goals quarterly. • Set clear goals with dates and who is responsible.

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