Anna reported that Seattle Schools are now considering whether to classify the biodiesel project as a "pilot" or open bid. If designated as a pilot, the district could specify that it only wants to get its bio from Seaport, which only gets it from Seattle Biodiesel. This would allow for better quality control than if it went out to bid, where fuel would come from lowest bidder. Actually, Seaport already supplies fuel via wet-hose to many of the buses, so the open-bid would only apply to buses using fuel from the underground storage tanks. We know that the district has a quality control plan, tho don't know details. It was decided that we could help by finding out the quality control procedures of other fleets successfully using bio, and then writing a letter to Dave Anderson and his supervisor in the district to recommend that they do classify it as a pilot, and why that would help ensure quality and success. Lyle is planning to compile this info, write the letter, send it around to the list for approval, and then send it off.

Dr. Dan said that Billings Middle School and the NW School are now running their buses on B100 purchased from him, and having no problems. Dan recommends filtering the bio at every transfer. He also said that he saw the reports from Northshore school district which had clogging problems, and said that they were all caused by not following standard bio procedures, or had to do with other things.

Lyle was contacted by University of Idaho with offer to speak about the BBC at their biodiesel utilization workshop Sept. 15-16. Dr. Dan is also planning to attend and speak. Anna suggested inviting Dave Anderson to this also. (I spoke to him the next day- he won't be able to go, but promised to pass the info on to others there).

Anna announced that Seaport will be supplying the bio for Hempfest's generators this coming weekend (8/20 -8/21). They have extra table space, and offered it to NW Bio Network- Lyle agreed to send email to that group to look for tablers).

We discussed pursuing non-profit status again. It can be a bit of a hassle, but it was argued that WA state non-profit status is easy and cheap, and will add legitamacy to the group. So we agreed (again!) to pursue that. Lyle has those forms, and will bring them to next meeting along with info on whatever we need to come up for that (articles of incorporation, bylaws, etc).

Post-meeting news: Anna said that the folks at Seaport love the T-shirts- she's already sold several, and they are paying to produce a bunch more to sell at Hempfest, and other places. We would also like to get business cards and bumper stickers printed. She has source that is much cheaper than what we've used- perhaps we will be able to set up a PayPal account for selling these on our website (rather than the rather costly Cafe Press).