Objective: Assist in the immediate recovery of the South Louisiana oil producing and fishing towns of Venice, Grand Isle, Boothville, and Buras, which were annihilated during hurricane Katrina creating considerable carbon and ecological impact.

To provide the first public data and photographs on the 36 oil derricks that are currently damaged, submerged or partially submerged, and which are reportedly leaking large quantities of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

To facilitate long term sustainable recovery of the damaged areas. This area receives more than 50% of the nation’s crude petroleum and also contains oil-processing equipment, which is currently in danger of leaking and explosions. The damaged derricks and pipelines represent as much as 10% of the nation’s daily petroleum. The long-term objective of the program is to establish a network of organizations to facilitate reduced impact recovery and remediation of the area through the use of carbon-neutral fuels such as biodiesel and bioremediation.

Commitment: Biodiesel America has coordinated the fueling and deployment of one rescue vessel and one research vessel from Naples, FL. The two ships were fueled with 20,000 gallons of biodiesel. Both vessels traveled up the Gulf Coast to Louisiana where they began work.

After accomplishing our initial objectives in advance of schedule and under-budget, we have re-assessed the needs of the city, and have expanded our project with the new goal of implementing a full-scale, hurricane resistant biodiesel facility in the city of New Orleans. The projected cost for the project has been raised to an initial estimate of $50 million. The money has not yet been raised. We will be putting forth a series of grant proposals and private equity drives to secure the needed capital.

Background: South Louisiana represents one of America’s richest oil reserves. The current ecological damage and carbon creating oil pollution could be akin to that which was created during the first Gulf War. Immediate action is required both from a marine perspective and from a national carbon emissions standpoint.

Partnership Opportunity: As we finalize our research, we will begin offering partnerships with private entities to raise capital.

Update:
November 2005:
1. Provided short term relief aid in the form of biodiesel fuel, food, supplies and equipment to New Orleans and other parishes in Louisiana with a total value of $250,000.
2. Created a pool of expert consultants from organizations in New Orleans and engaged them to begin work on creating infrastructure for medium term sustainable biodiesel production in the city of New Orleans. This group has already donated $50,000 in services.
3. Generated a business plan to implement a hybrid nonprofit/for profit biodiesel plant to serve the municipal and school bus needs of New Orleans.

March 2006:
We are working with The Alliance to Save Energy to provide a small portable biodiesel processor with which we will be doing field trials and raising local interest in New Orleans. Meanwhile, we are also working to raise the needed capital to finance a feasibility study for a large scale biodiesel facility.