BioFuel OasisCooperative:

Lessons in Starting a Biodiesel Station

BioFuel OasisCooperative:

Lessons in Starting a Biodiesel Station

ByJennifer Radtke,

Co-Founder

ByJennifer Radtke,

Co-Founder

Original BioFuel Oasis 4th & Dwight, Berkeley, California

Dec 2003 - April 2009

Original BioFuel Oasis 4th & Dwight, Berkeley, California

Dec 2003 - April 2009

Retail biodiesel (B99.9) at the pump to individual customers in the San Francisco Bay Area

Retail biodiesel (B99.9) at the pump to individual customers in the San Francisco Bay Area

BioFuel Oasis: Moved May 2009BioFuel Oasis:

Moved May 2009

1930s old gas station site on high traffic corner

Accessibility:4 nozzles, 7am - midnight availability

8K Gallon Aboveground Tank

Urban Farm Store

1930s old gas station site on high traffic corner

Accessibility:4 nozzles, 7am - midnight availability

8K Gallon Aboveground Tank

Urban Farm Store

Most Sustainable Station in the Nation!Most Sustainable Station in the Nation!

Recycled Biodiesel made within 200 mile radius

Powered by Solar Native & Edible

Landscaping Waste Veg Oil Collection Beyond Individual Car

Use

Recycled Biodiesel made within 200 mile radius

Powered by Solar Native & Edible

Landscaping Waste Veg Oil Collection Beyond Individual Car

Use

Women, Worker-Owned Cooperative

All drive cars on biodiesel (B99)

Newest members have been here 5 yrs

Women, Worker-Owned Cooperative

All drive cars on biodiesel (B99)

Newest members have been here 5 yrs

BioFuel Oasis: Who We AreBioFuel Oasis: Who We Are

Fuel MarketFuel Market

When is most fuel sold? Petro prices go up every

spring How Petro prices affect

Biodiesel Spring

Fuel Shortages

When is most fuel sold? Petro prices go up every

spring How Petro prices affect

Biodiesel Spring

Fuel Shortages

Customers: Who They AreCustomers: Who They Are

Typical customer: 30s, drives a VW TDI

Businesses: Solar PV installers, Green Builders, Landscapers

Affected by price of petroleum diesel

Typical customer: 30s, drives a VW TDI

Businesses: Solar PV installers, Green Builders, Landscapers

Affected by price of petroleum diesel

Biodiesel Education: A Success

Biodiesel Education: A Success

10 minute talk to first-time customers

Call us before your mechanic Appearance of

biodiesel cannotbe described over the phone.

Communicate: regarding priceand blends

10 minute talk to first-time customers

Call us before your mechanic Appearance of

biodiesel cannotbe described over the phone.

Communicate: regarding priceand blends

Biodiesel: The RevolutionBiodiesel: The Revolution

Personal Connection

Gives People Power - Changes people’s lives

Getting Along

Personal Connection

Gives People Power - Changes people’s lives

Getting Along

Location, Location, Location!

Location, Location, Location!

On major corner in Berkeley

1 mile from Interstate 80on Freeway exit

On major corner in Berkeley

1 mile from Interstate 80on Freeway exit

PermittingPermitting

Charm and educate. Don’t argue. Ask permitting

people what they need. Be a nerd. Be Patient (Triple whatever

timeframes they give you). Get elected officials and

economic development on your side.

Charm and educate. Don’t argue. Ask permitting

people what they need. Be a nerd. Be Patient (Triple whatever

timeframes they give you). Get elected officials and

economic development on your side.

Funding the Original StationFunding the Original Station

$5000 SaraHope

$5000 Jennifer

$5000 Business Profits

$5000 $50 Founding Member Donations

$20,000 TOTAL

Length of time: 9 months

Funding new station

Funding new station

$100K City Loan

$60K Private Loan

$37K Business Sponsors

$35K Business Reinvestment

$30K $100 Donations

$32K Prepaid Fuel

$7K Events

$301K TOTAL RAISED

Financial PlanningFinancial Planning

Business plan Monthly Projections &

Analysis Don’t run at a deficit. Spend money you’ve

already earned

Business plan Monthly Projections &

Analysis Don’t run at a deficit. Spend money you’ve

already earned

Make AlliesMake Allies

Create an industry, not just a business

Create long-term relationships with natural allies.

Cooperation not competition

Create an industry, not just a business

Create long-term relationships with natural allies.

Cooperation not competition

Chicken, Rabbit and Goat Feed

Beekeeping Supplies

Urban Homesteading Classes in Winter

Chicken, Rabbit and Goat Feed

Beekeeping Supplies

Urban Homesteading Classes in Winter

Diversify income

Diversify income

Urban Farm StoreUrban Farm Store

Working with BiodieselWorking with Biodiesel

Change the Fuel Filter Mantra

No spill policy Big Spill

Preparedness Fuel quality testing -

how it looks

Change the Fuel Filter Mantra

No spill policy Big Spill

Preparedness Fuel quality testing -

how it looks

Vision & Set GoalsVision & Set Goals

Vision meeting yearly

Check in on goals quarterly.

Set clear goals with dates and who is responsible.

Vision meeting yearly

Check in on goals quarterly.

Set clear goals with dates and who is responsible.