Byline: By richard siklos section: Section C; Column ; Business/Financial Desk; Pg. Length
COMPANY: VOLKSWAGEN AG (84%); DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG (61%); DAIMLER AG (61%) TICKER
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COMPANY: VOLKSWAGEN AG (84%); DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG (61%); DAIMLER AG (61%) TICKER: VWP (PAR) (85%); VWB (BRU) (85%); VWA (AMS) (85%); VOW (FRA) (84%); VKW (LSE) (84%); DCY (PAR) (61%); DCX (LSE) (61%); DAI (NYSE) (61%); DAI (FRA) (61%); VW (SWX) (84%); VOA (PAR) (84%); 7659 (TSE) (85%) INDUSTRY: NAICS336111 AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURING (84%); SIC3711 MOTOR VEHICLES & PASSENGER CAR BODIES (61%) PERSON: MICHAEL MCMAHON (82%) Juli Steadman Charkes GEOGRAPHIC: NEW YORK, NY, USA (79%) NEW JERSEY, USA (79%); CALIFORNIA, USA (79%); NEW YORK, USA (92%); CONNECTICUT, USA (67%) UNITED STATES (92%) New York City Metropolitan Area LOAD-DATE: February 18, 2007 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH CORRECTION-DATE: February 25, 2007 CORRECTION: An article last week about biodiesel-driven cars referred incorrectly to the biodiesel blend sold at gas stations around the country. The biodiesel is mixed with diesel, not with gasoline. GRAPHIC: Photo: FILL 'ER UP -- Dr. Jonathan Sackner-Bernstein using biodiesel fuel in his car at his home in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. Below, Carl Vogel in front of his biodiesel fuel truck in West Babylon, N.Y. (Photo by Alan Zale for The New York Times) (Photo by Vic DeLucia for The New York Times) PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newspaper Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company 1121 of 1258 DOCUMENTS The New York Times
Correction Appended Late Edition - Final
''Basically, it was filled with pockets of crud,'' Dr. Sackner-Bernstein, 46, said later from his home in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. With renewable fuels seen as a way to end the nation's dependence on foreign oil, more drivers are turning to biodiesel, a fuel made from the chemical reaction of mixing animal fat or vegetable oil -- even recycled grease from French fries -- with methanol and lye. Emissions can be substantially lower than those from a petroleum-powered vehicle -- up to 78 percent less carbon dioxide, according to a study by two federal agencies, the Departments of Energy and Agriculture. That may account for its growing popularity: 225 million gallons of biodiesel were produced in 2006, up from 75 million in 2005, according to the National Biodiesel Board. Enthusiasts were pleased when President Bush, in his State of the Union address last month, called for the expanded use of ''clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel.'' But while the idea of speeding down the highway in a car fueled by recycled fat can seem like an easy answer to global warming, the reality is far more sobering. Fatty deposits, legal restrictions and uneven supply are some of the roadblocks that early adapters have to navigate. ''This is not a panacea,'' said Jerry Robock, 56, of Community Biofuels in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., who lectures on biodiesel use in Westchester County. ''You're still burning hydrocarbons, you're still contributing to greenhouse gases, you're still putting stuff in the atmosphere,'' he said. ''But it's at a much lower level.'' All diesel-engine cars can run on biodiesel, but buying and registering a new passenger diesel car in New York is almost impossible because the state adheres to California emission standards, some of the strictest in the country. The same emission standards take effect in Connecticut and New Jersey in 2009, making the buying process a little easier, for now. Several car manufacturers are also working on introducing cleaner diesel cars; Volkswagen AG and DaimlerChrysler AG recently unveiled plans for a line of diesel-powered vehicles that meet more stringent clean air standards and should be available by 2008. But by far the biggest difficulty is obtaining the fuel. About 1,000 gas stations around the country offer a blend of biodiesel mixed with gasoline, but there are places with no commercial pumps at all. The National Biodiesel Board lists a handful of suppliers in Connecticut and New York, including on Long Island, in Brooklyn and in Troy, north of Albany, but none in New Jersey or Westchester County. ''I have customers from Westchester coming here all the time,'' said Carl Vogel, 39, of Vogelbilt Corporation in West Babylon, on Long Island. ''They'll bring extra containers,'' he said, ''Some bring 55-gallon drums with them and stock up on fuel every couple of weeks.'' Mr. Vogel, a former organic farmer, sells the fuel to customers by appointment only, but business is thriving and he plans on expanding. Mr. Vogel is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the growth potential in alternative fuel. Richard Reilly, 37, of Fairfield County, Conn., has been involved in several biodiesel businesses since first hearing about the fuel years ago while listening to an interview with the actress Daryl Hannah. His newest venture involves a biodiesel production plant in Cheshire, Conn., that will run on recyclable oil and that he predicts will produce three million gallons of biodiesel fuel a year. ''There's so much money rushing into this industry right now,'' Mr. Reilly said this month in a phone interview from San Antonio, where he was attending the National Biodiesel Conference. ''But like any industry, there's going to be growing pains, and we need to make sure we're doing this the right way, by focusing on sustainability as well as safety.'' Ms. Hannah, a longtime user and promoter of biodiesel, said by phone from the conference that interest in the fuel had never been higher. Four years ago, she said, the conference ''was 400 farmers sitting in a hotel in Palm Springs, and now we're talking thousands of people and importations from all over the world, just to get a product out on the market.'' But questions on cost and safety remain. Thanks to government subsidies, biodiesel costs about the same as regular gasoline and gets about the same mileage as regular diesel, depending on source ingredients. Dr. Sackner-Bernstein, however, said that like many consumers, he preferred using pure biodiesel, as opposed to a blend, so he pays more to have a company in New Hampshire deliver 100 percent biodiesel to his home. ''On average, I pay about one extra dollar per gallon,'' he said. For those who don't want to pay extra, there is another option: making the fuel. Mr. Robock oversees the Hudson Valley Biodiesel Co-op, a group of more than 20 enthusiasts who rely on used cooking oil from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and Vassar College in Poughkeepsie to mix their own at their private plant. But working with such flammable ingredients can be dangerous, even illegal. Dr. Sackner-Bernstein experimented with making his own biodiesel but was tempered by village codes that restrict the amount of methanol residents can store on their property. There are also strict federal standards on the use of homemade fuel. ''Doing it yourself is a whole other can of worms and oftentimes not legal,'' said Jenna Higgins, a spokeswoman for the National Biodiesel Board. But for those dedicated to the idea of going green, the costs and hassles are worth it. ''I'm not sure there is a perfect solution, but biodiesel is the optimal choice among all others,'' Mr. Robock said. Dr. Sackner-Bernstein recently bought aquarium heaters to warm the barrels of biodiesel in his driveway to prevent clogging. ''I've had the pain of breaking down once already,'' he said. ''I don't want that happening again.'' Despite the challenges, he still views biodiesel as the most viable way to end the country's dependence on foreign oil. ''I feel that this is important enough that these roadblocks are not going to stop me,'' he said. ''I want to make a statement, and if enough people make a statement, all of a sudden, there's impact.''
(Photo by Vic DeLucia for The New York Times) PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newspaper Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company 1122 of 1258 DOCUMENTS The New York Times
Correction Appended Late Edition - Final
''Basically, it was filled with pockets of crud,'' Dr. Sackner-Bernstein, 46, said later from his home in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. With renewable fuels seen as a way to end the nation's dependence on foreign oil, more drivers are turning to biodiesel, a fuel made from the chemical reaction of mixing animal fat or vegetable oil -- even recycled grease from French fries -- with methanol and lye. Emissions can be substantially lower than those from a petroleum-powered vehicle -- up to 78 percent less carbon dioxide, according to a study by two federal agencies, the Departments of Energy and Agriculture. That may account for its growing popularity: 225 million gallons of biodiesel were produced in 2006, up from 75 million in 2005, according to the National Biodiesel Board. Enthusiasts were pleased when President Bush, in his State of the Union address last month, called for the expanded use of ''clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel.'' But while the idea of speeding down the highway in a car fueled by recycled fat can seem like an easy answer to global warming, the reality is far more sobering. Fatty deposits, legal restrictions and uneven supply are some of the roadblocks that early adapters have to navigate. ''This is not a panacea,'' said Jerry Robock, 56, of Community Biofuels in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., who lectures on biodiesel use in Westchester County. ''You're still burning hydrocarbons, you're still contributing to greenhouse gases, you're still putting stuff in the atmosphere,'' he said. ''But it's at a much lower level.'' All diesel-engine cars can run on biodiesel, but buying and registering a new passenger diesel car in New York is almost impossible because the state adheres to California emission standards, some of the strictest in the country. The same emission standards take effect in Connecticut and New Jersey in 2009, making the buying process a little easier, for now. Several car manufacturers are also working on introducing cleaner diesel cars; Volkswagen AG and DaimlerChrysler AG recently unveiled plans for a line of diesel-powered vehicles that meet more stringent clean air standards and should be available by 2008. But by far the biggest difficulty is obtaining the fuel. About 1,000 gas stations around the country offer a blend of biodiesel mixed with gasoline, but there are places with no commercial pumps at all. The National Biodiesel Board lists a handful of suppliers in Connecticut and New York, including on Long Island, in Brooklyn and in Troy, north of Albany, but none in New Jersey or Westchester County. ''I have customers from Westchester coming here all the time,'' said Carl Vogel, 39, of Vogelbilt Corporation in West Babylon, on Long Island. ''They'll bring extra containers,'' he said, ''Some bring 55-gallon drums with them and stock up on fuel every couple of weeks.'' Mr. Vogel, a former organic farmer, sells the fuel to customers by appointment only, but business is thriving and he plans on expanding. Mr. Vogel is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the growth potential in alternative fuel. Richard Reilly, 37, of Fairfield County, Conn., has been involved in several biodiesel businesses since first hearing about the fuel years ago while listening to an interview with the actress Daryl Hannah. His newest venture involves a biodiesel production plant in Cheshire, Conn., that will run on recyclable oil and that he predicts will produce three million gallons of biodiesel fuel a year. ''There's so much money rushing into this industry right now,'' Mr. Reilly said this month in a phone interview from San Antonio, where he was attending the National Biodiesel Conference. ''But like any industry, there's going to be growing pains, and we need to make sure we're doing this the right way, by focusing on sustainability as well as safety.'' Ms. Hannah, a longtime user and promoter of biodiesel, said by phone from the conference that interest in the fuel had never been higher. Four years ago, she said, the conference ''was 400 farmers sitting in a hotel in Palm Springs, and now we're talking thousands of people and importations from all over the world, just to get a product out on the market.'' But questions on cost and safety remain. Thanks to government subsidies, biodiesel costs about the same as regular gasoline and gets about the same mileage as regular diesel, depending on source ingredients. Dr. Sackner-Bernstein, however, said that like many consumers, he preferred using pure biodiesel, as opposed to a blend, so he pays more to have a company in New Hampshire deliver 100 percent biodiesel to his home. ''On average, I pay about one extra dollar per gallon,'' he said. For those who don't want to pay extra, there is another option: making the fuel. Mr. Robock oversees the Hudson Valley Biodiesel Co-op, a group of more than 20 enthusiasts who rely on used cooking oil from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and Vassar College in Poughkeepsie to mix their own at their private plant. But working with such flammable ingredients can be dangerous, even illegal. Dr. Sackner-Bernstein experimented with making his own biodiesel but was tempered by village codes that restrict the amount of methanol residents can store on their property. There are also strict federal standards on the use of homemade fuel. ''Doing it yourself is a whole other can of worms and oftentimes not legal,'' said Jenna Higgins, a spokeswoman for the National Biodiesel Board. But for those dedicated to the idea of going green, the costs and hassles are worth it. ''I'm not sure there is a perfect solution, but biodiesel is the optimal choice among all others,'' Mr. Robock said. Dr. Sackner-Bernstein recently bought aquarium heaters to warm the barrels of biodiesel in his driveway to prevent clogging. ''I've had the pain of breaking down once already,'' he said. ''I don't want that happening again.'' Despite the challenges, he still views biodiesel as the most viable way to end the country's dependence on foreign oil. ''I feel that this is important enough that these roadblocks are not going to stop me,'' he said. ''I want to make a statement, and if enough people make a statement, all of a sudden, there's impact.''
(Photo by Vic DeLucia for The New York Times) PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newspaper Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company 1123 of 1258 DOCUMENTS The New York Times
Late Edition - Final Don't Buy My Book, Just Read It BYLINE: By DAN MITCHELL SECTION: Section C; Column 1; Business/Financial Desk; WHAT'S ONLINE; Pg. 5 LENGTH: 680 words FOR a time, Seth Godin did not want anyone to buy his book, ''Everyone's an Expert (About Something),'' on Amazon.com. That is not to say he did not want anyone to read it. Mr. Godin, who describes himself as a ''best-selling author, entrepreneur and agent of change,'' wrote the book in 2005 and made it available free on his blog, sethgodin.typepad.com. He published it under a Creative Commons license that allows anyone to republish and sell it (creativecommons.org). So someone did. ''I didn't authorize this book to be published,'' he wrote on his blog this week. He accused the publisher -- identified on Amazon as ''Success Book 4 you,'' but identified elsewhere as BN Publishing -- of ''selling this as a new book'' and that doing so ''with my name on it is not kosher.'' He made it clear that his concern was how the book, on sale for $9.99, was presented as new. Nevertheless, some bloggers and commentators jumped all over Mr. Godin, who ran the online marketing agency Yoyodyne, which Yahoo purchased in 1998. The group blog Metafilter was the source of much of the criticism. ''The good Mr. Godin seems to be aghast that someone is taking his license at its word, and actually -- gulp -- making money,'' wrote ''zabuni,'' who added, ''It's the freewheeling collectivism of Creative Commons meeting the cold hard reality of capitalism.'' Creative Commons licenses are meant to encourage the wide dissemination of intellectual property, while allowing their creators to retain certain rights. Mr. Godin never had any intention of making money from the 52-page book, but he also indicated that he would rather not have his name stamped on something that is making money for someone else under false pretenses. As it happened, the publisher quickly revised the book's cover to include the notice: ''This is a reprint of a 2005 free e-book under Creative Commons license.'' That was good enough for Mr. Godin, who told his readers, ''go buy it!'' Still, the incident points to the perils of self-publishing and free distribution. There is a Creative Commons license that allows anyone to make use of a published work, as long as it is not for profit, but that is not the license Mr. Godin used. On Metafilter, ''localroger'' wrote: ''Nobody in their right mind should ever license their work for for-profit distribution without a compensation mechanism. That's not giving your work to the public,'' it is giving your work to the first person ''smart enough to rip you off.'' BAD CALLS -- The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, which led to the creation of the Do Not Call list, includes a provision that allows receivers of certain telemarketing calls to sue the callers for each violation. Bob Sullivan of Red Tape Chronicles on msnbc.com noted the case of Andre-Tascha Lamme, who won $3,500 in a small-claims court in Sacramento from a concern called Country Club Mortgage in nearby Visalia. Mr. Lamme has collected $6,000 from telemarketers who ran afoul of the law. Mr. Lamme has a Web site, killthecalls.com, which offers advice and links to instructions for filing claims in various jurisdictions. It can be hard to collect judgments, however. Many telemarketers that break the law are fly-by-night operations, which can be hard to serve with court papers in the first place and even harder to collect money from. Mr. Lamme says he's not in it for the money, but to stamp out annoying calls. ''If you sue these people, they're going to get the message,'' he told Mr. Sullivan. PRICEY CALLS -- The Navy spends about $4 billion a year on phone calls, according to Defense News. ''And not surprisingly,'' notes the blog Defensetech.org, ''there is a whole lot of padding in that tab.'' During a recent conference, Vice Adm. Mark J. Edwards said the Navy was being overcharged by as much as 30 percent by local phone companies. And he means to do something about it. By recouping just a third of Navy's phone bill, he said, ''we could build another carrier.'' DAN MITCHELLComplete links are at nytimes.com/business. E-mail: whatsonline@nytimes.com Yüklə 4,36 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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