Dragon Run Steering Committee 2007 Meeting Minutes

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No formal business agenda

Agenda

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Purchase of Development Rights Discussion
3. Biodiesel Feasibility Study and Pilot Program Updates
4. Legislative Update
5. Other Business
6. Adjourn

Attendance
Steering Committee: Frank Herrin (King and Queen County), Prue Davis (Essex County), Dorothy Miller (Essex County), Terry DuRose (Gloucester County), Eric Weisel (Gloucester County), William Bagby (Middlesex County)
Others: Sara Stamp, Melvin Atkinson, Chelsea Jenkins, and Al Christopher

Welcome and Introductions
Chair Prue Davis called the meeting to order and began introductions. Sara Stamp also noted that Mr. William “Bill” Bagby is the newly appointed landowner representative from Middlesex County.

Biodiesel Feasibility Study and Pilot Program
Mr. Christopher and Ms. Jenkins supplied the Steering Committee with the following presentation to provide an update and overview of the current status and findings of the biodiesel feasibility study.

Purchase of Development Rights
Mr. Melvin Atkinson, Coordinator, Agricultural Reserve Program, City of Virginia Beach, provided the following presentation to the Steering Committee to give an overview of the purchase of development rights program currently being utilized by Virginia Beach.

Other Business
No other business

Adjourn

The next meeting, which is the annual picnic, is scheduled for August 15th, 2007.

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Agenda

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Biodiesel Feasibility Study and Pilot Program
3. Land Use Policies Update
4. Discussion on Purchase of Development Rights
5. Other Business
6. Adjourn

Attendance
Steering Committee: Frank Herrin (King and Queen County), Fred Hutson (Essex County), Robert Hudgins (Gloucester County), Robert Gibson (King and Queen County), Prue Davis (Essex County), Dorothy Miller (Essex County), and Terry DuRose (Gloucester County)
Others: Sara Stamp and Al Christopher

Welcome and Introductions
Chair Prue Davis called the meeting to order and began introductions. Ms. Stamp introduced Terry DuRose, the new landowner representative from Gloucester County. She also noted that Mr. William “Bill” Bagby is the newly appointed landowner representative from Middlesex County.

Biodiesel Feasibility Study and Pilot Program
Mr. Al Christopher, Virginia Clean Cities, presented an overview of biodiesel, the supply chain and the refining process. He discussed what types of projects other localities are participating in, such as use in school bus fleets. He discussed how flexibility can be built into fuel contracts (such as Northumberland County is doing) to allow for the use of biodiesel when economically feasible and regular petroleum when cost is prohibitive. One of the practices is to use a lower percentage of biodiesel (such as B5 or B2) to lower the cost. He reported that Arlington County is an excellent example. They have biodiesel performance listing by car model. It was noted that Philips Oil and Thrift Oil sell biodiesel in this region. Biodiesel can also be used in as heating fuel. Mr. Christopher reported that biodiesel is still a small, but growing market in the Northern Neck and James City County. Also, there are three refineries operating in Virginia, including the one in Eltham. The price of biodiesel is reasonable because of a blender’s tax credit that goes to the distributor.
Mr. Christopher discussed examples in other areas, such as Eufaula, AL, where a champion was essential to the success of the project. He also discussed several other biodiesel production interests and concurrent project occurring in throughout the state. He also provided an overview with some of the issues associated with the DEQ regulatory process for this fuel and its by-products.
In Virginia, there is no surplus of corn and Virginia doesn’t make enough to satisfy the demand. Therefore, there is a need for a crop that would provide more “bang for the buck”. Mr. Christopher provided information on other biofuel crops that can be utilized in addition to or instead of soybeans, including Canola oil.
Included in the discussion was an overview of the partnerships that would be analyzed during the feasibility study. He requested input from Steering Committee members regarding potential stakeholders and county bus fleet information. For the county fleets, he inquired about which government vehicles use diesel and how many/how much centralized fueling occurs. Ms. Davis recommended addressing the Planning District Commission and conducting one-on-one meetings with distributors. Ms. Davis invited Mr. Christopher to attend the annual farmers meeting hosted by Riverland Insurers on February 21st. She also recommended that Ms. Ellen Davis be contacted regarding potential funding for this type of initiative through USDA. It was also noted that James Walsey and Dick Atkinson should be included on the stakeholder list.

Land Use Policies Update
Sara Stamp provided an update of the status and timeline estimate of land-use policy language development for each watershed locality.

Purchase of Development Rights Discussion
This item was tabled for May 2007 at which time a speaker would present information.

Other Business
No other business

Adjourn

The next meeting is scheduled for May 9th, 2007.