Propel News

Sustainable Industries Journal: Propel Biofuels teams with Vulcan by Wes Miller12.17.07

Seattle PI: Unmanned station will sell biodiesel12.13.07

A gas station of the future – unmanned, fronted by crops and serving only biodiesel fuel from four dispensers – will open in March at the corner of Westlake Avenue North and Valley Street in South Lake Union.

Vulcan and Propel Biofuels Sign Lease for Biodiesel Fuel Station in South Lake Union12.13.07

Vulcan and Propel to Open Biodiesel Fuel Station in South Lake Union - December 13, 2007 Vulcan Inc. today announced that it has signed a lease with Propel Biofuels to construct and operate a 9,000-square-foot biofuel station at the southwest corner of Westlake Avenue and Valley Street in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood. Representing downtown Seattle's first biodiesel station, the new site is expected to open in March 2008.

When It Comes to Biodiesel, How Pure Is Too Pure? 10.17.07

Seattle Weekly: Rob Elam addresses Ford’s pump-perplexing warranty policy.

Kevin Ebi host of KJR news interviews Rob Elam (mp3, 3.5 MB) 10.14.07

Rob Elam speaks about the environmental benefits of biodiesel and what you need to know to use it in your diesel-powered vehicle.

Biodiesel now in Kenmore: No War Required10.11.07

The Everett Herald: Biodiesel appears to be continuing its rise to fame and acceptance in Western Washington. Lately, it's Seattle-based Propel Biofuels making media waves with its first of many fueling stations in the Puget Sound region opening this weekend, including one in Kenmore.

Propel and Senator Cantwell Welcome Locally-Grown Biodiesel10.10.07

Senator Maria Cantwell headlined Propel Biofuel's Ballard station dedication at 11:00AM, Oct. 10 at 4420 Leary Way NW at Bernie's Automotive.

Propel featured in Seattle Times, section A110.1.07

A boom in biodiesel? A map of Seattle and its environs teems with pins - potential sites for the company's green-and-white biodiesel pumps. Most of the pins mark well-established gasoline stations that sell traditional petroleum-based fuels. Click for image of front page

Propel Announces Series A Investment and New Board Members8.29.07

Propel announced today that it has closed a Series A investment from cleantech pioneers @Ventures and Nth Power.  Seattle-based sustainable business leaders also participated in the round, including; Andrew Stout, founder of Full Circle Farms, Barry Barr, founder of KAVU, and Jack Rafn, founder of RAFN Construction.

Propel Biofuels featured on MTV Special 4.27.07

Propel Biofuels, Imperium Renewables and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visit Xzibit and the GAS team in this Earth Day special of Pimp My Ride. The GAS guys give Kristoffer's ride an earthy pimpin' with enviornmentally friendly biodiesel fuel.

Propel speaks on Climate Change with Al Gore and Maria Cantwell 10.24.06

Frank Paganelli, Propel Biofuels General Counsel and Director of Political Affairs, joined a prestigious panel to discuss the impact of climate change on small business. The environmental and energy forum, sponsored by Seattle University Young Democrats, featured Al Gore, Senator Maria Cantwell, Rep Norm Dicks, Seattle Mayor Greg Nichols, Congressional candidate Darcy Burner and KC Golden, of Olympia based non-profit Climate Solutions.
Event photos: one, two and three.

Public Biodiesel Access: Presentation to SF Biodiesel Task Force 7.20.06

Rob Elam of Propel presented "Public Biodiesel Availability:
Installation Process and Best Practices" to the City of San Francisco Biodiesel Access Task Force. The Biodiesel Access Task Force was established to develop and recommend to the appropriate City departments, including the Board of Supervisors and Mayor, a permitting process for biodiesel filling stations and incentives for such stations to be located in the City; urging the San Francisco Unified School District to pursue the use of biodiesel blends in school buses; and establishing a City policy to request biodiesel usage in City contracts involving diesel fleets. Link to Task Force site >

Propel Comments on Revisions to ASTM D6751 6.10.06

The latest version of D6751-06-e1 has been published and is available on the ASTM web site as of May 12, 2007. This updated version includes two changes, including a lower acid number limit of 0.5 mg/KOH, and the inclusion of a combined Na + K limit of 5 ppm. Propel will continue to supply fuel that exceeds the evolving ASTM spec, as we push the industry to meet our stringent quality standards.

Propel Releases Puget Sound Biodiesel Fleet Study 5.15.06

Propel studied biodiesel implementation challenges in Puget Sound area fleets including King County Metro Transit, City of Seattle and City of Tacoma; for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA). These agencies are among the earliest public sector fleets to adopt a comprehensive biodiesel use policy. The study adresses key areas of concern: fuel quality, distribution challenges, and storage/use.

Biodiesel Distribution and Retail: Overpromised and Undelivered? 3.18.06

Rob Elam's presentation to the NW Biodiesel Forum March 18, 2007. This presentation covers the basics of biodiesel distribution and where the current pain points exist.

Creating Community at the Pump 1.8.06

Rob Elam, of Propel Biofuels is featured on Empowered by Biodiesel, a video from The Seattle Channel

Identifying Biodiesel Quality and Handling Standards 12.15.05

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency hires Propel Biofuels for regional biodiesel analysis study. Read the press release.

Making Backyard Biodiesel, If You Dare 10.01.05

Propel distributes only the highest standard commercially produced ASTM biodiesel. To understand biodiesel quality differences, it pays to know the details. Rob Elam gives the recipe for making home-made new energy in MAKE Magazine: Making Biodiesel

Propel Pump #3 Opens in Seattle 9.29.05

SeaPort Biofuels joins the Propel Network in South Seattle, near the Duwamish River. Directions and pump photo.

Using Business as a Force for Change 8.15.05

Rob Elam, of Propel Biofuels, is a featured InterActivist at Grist Magazine.

A New Choice for Eastsiders: Biodiesel 8.13.05

The Grange in Issaquah, WA joins the Propel-powered Network with a grand opening attended by Congressman Dave Reichert and Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger, covered by The Seattle Times.

All Things Biodiesel 6.02.05

Listen to Rob Elam’s interview on Make Magazine’s Pod-cast: Biodiesel!

The Company Behind Laurelhurst’s Biodiesel 5.20.05

Propel is featured in Gizmodo, The Gadgets Weblog: Seattle gets new Biodiesel Station

Propel Biofuels: Bringing Biodiesel to the Northwest 5.19.05

Propel is featured in Treehugger, the Web’s green lifestyle site: New Biodiesel Station Opens In Seattle

Level the Playing Field: Biodiesel Prices 5.15.05

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announces her proposal for a new biofuels amendment to the Senate Energy Bill. View event coverage from KOMO4 TV and photo.

Propel Pump #1 Open Round the Clock 5.14.05

Propel Biofuels launches Seattle’s first 24-hour public biodiesel pump at Laurelhurst Oil. Grand opening celebration covered by KOMO1000 News.