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A lawyer who deals in international biodiesel law has an article in December’s Biodiesel Magazine that outlines some of the pitfalls that U.S. companies that are trying to sell biodiesel plants and equipment to locations overseas.

Rich Weiner’s article says there is great potential in the foreign markets, if you’re able to get around the legal risks and challenges around the proposition:

Many factors affect overseas business ventures. The first is foreign government approvals. Unlike the United States, foreign governments often regulate the sale of biodiesel plants in their countries. In some countries, the project’s customer must be a government agency or an entity affiliated with the government. In others, the customer must be examined and approved by that country’s government before it may purchase a biodiesel plant or biodiesel equipment. Some countries even require that the contract between the U.S. company and its foreign customer be reviewed and approved by the appropriate ministry of the foreign government before the contract may become effective. Still others require that the biodiesel plant or equipment be approved by the foreign government before equipment importation or plant construction begins.

Weiner also points out that U.S. laws prevent giving gifts to foreign officials in exchange for contracts… and that applies to any subcontractors or suppliers who do it even without the U.S. company’s knowledge. Duties and tariffs, intellectual property rights, foreign construction laws, and what to do if there’s a dispute between a U.S. company and a foreign company or government.

Lots of good information for those involved in the biodiesel business looking to branch out overseas. Give it a read by clicking here.

San Francisco has become the largest city in the country to convert its entire fleet of diesel vehicles to biodiesel, hitting the green goal a month ahead of schedule.

This press release from Mayor Gavin Newsom’s office says it will cover more than 1,500 vehicles including MUNI buses, several fire engines, ambulances and street sweepers, among others:

“Every city bears responsibility for taking local action to address our global climate crisis,” said Mayor Newsom. “When it comes to the use of alternative fuels, renewable energy sources and greening our City fleet, San Francisco is demonstrating leadership and commitment on every front.”

The conversion from traditional diesel fuel to biodiesel is made possible by the use of B20, a mix of 20% biofuel and 80% petroleum diesel fuel. The conversion to biodiesel translates to roughly displacing 1.2 million gallons of diesel fuel each year.

The move comes on the heels of the city’s SFGreasecycle program that collects used cooking oil and grease from San Francisco’s many restaurants and turn it into biodiesel (see my November 21st post).

Analysts believe soybean prices could rise to all-time highs in 2008 as demand for beans as feedstocks for biodiesel and foodstocks for the Chinese take center stage.

This analysis from Reuters says China’s production and irrigation problems are just part of the increased demand for the U.S. crop that, in previous years, had lost ground to corn going to ethanol:

Throw in biofuels demand — specifically, biodiesel made from soyoil — and the soy market has a second wild card of possibly unlimited demand. Another factor is the sinking dollar, which is making dollar-based soybeans cheaper for export.

It is likely that CBOT soyoil will test its record top of 51 cents a lb notched 33 years ago, especially if crude oil — a market that soyoil mirrors given the expanding biodiesel industry — continues its rally.

Chicago Board of Trade January soyoil closed at at 46.58 cents a lb on Wednesday. Traders are concerned about how much of the soybean crop will go to food and how much will go to fuel.

Connecticut, known for its bedroom communities for commuters heading into New York City, has its first station for those commuters wanting to fuel up with biodiesel.

This press release says Governor M. Jodi Rell cut the ribbon on the first public-access retail biodiesel station in Connecticut at the Berkshire Country Store in West Cornwall:

“Today marks a true milestone for our state,” Governor Rell said. “Today, we are expanding access to domestic, renewable energy options for Connecticut residents and businesses.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has been using a biodiesel blend for six years and commercial fleet owners have had access to a biodiesel station in New Haven for several years. However, until now, biodiesel has not been made available to the public at a Connecticut retail location.

Hale Hill Farm Biofuels will be supplying the biodiesel for the station.