Stop with this propaganda being spewed by the likes of Reagan Dunn about biodiesel.

As someone who has used 100 percent biodiesel for seven years, I must reply to this irrational grouping of biodiesel in the same category such as ethanol. There is a concerted effort by the media, politicians and industries to trash biofuels and it is just wrong.

Biodiesel for years was the by-product from the soap making industry. This had no impact on food supplies. As well biodiesel made from Soybean oil still leaves the soy protein for human consumption again no impact on food supplies. Soybeans can be grown almost everywhere in the world and do not require the amount of fertilizers (usually made from petroleum) or water like corn to grow. Biodiesel can be made from the recycled oil of deep fat fryers at restaurants too. This provides a dual use for the product, once for human consumption and then for fuel.

Mr. Dunn talks about alternatives and yet he includes diesel on his list. This is not an alternative. That is the same old “stay-the-course” mentality.

When comparing costs and life cycles, how about we include the cost of securing our supply of petroleum in that life cycle? Let’s look at the raping of the environment for petroleum production when he talks about clear cutting for farming of oil crops. If he is serious, then let’s look at all of them with a jaundiced eye.

To be honest, 50 cents a gallon more for locally produced biodiesel that does not support the OPEC oil cartel or petroleum companies that make $500 billion profit per year, it is worth it. Unfortunately Mr. Dunn’s political affiliation blinds him to the real costs.

-Michael T. Barr

Sammamish