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BIODIESEL BRIGADE - EAST TENNESEE CLEAN FUELS COALITION
 The "Biodiesel Brigade" was an idea born of the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition. The simple concept was to create an army of biodiesel users in the region that displayed that they use biodiesel, while creating a "general" for
that army. The army's mission was to bring the fight of cleaner-burning, American fuels--namely biodiesel--to the general public via these rolling billboards and small information cards on biodiesel that many Brigade members would carry. When coalition coordinator Jonathan Overly and regional partners came up with the idea, Overly already had a general in mind: his 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. (It only fits that the coordinator would drive the "general," right?) He actually bought the vehicles with the idea of making it a rolling billboard, so becoming the "Brigadier" was only a further fulfilling of it's original mission.
The Brigade now (August 2006) consists of about 50 folks scattered around East Tennessee and other parts of Tennessee that proudly display their use of biodiesel. The Brigadier runs B100 about 8 months of the year, then runs blends everywhere between B20 and B80 during the colder months. Brigade members run everything from B20 to B100 to pure biodiesel and vegetable oil blends (if that's their bent).
 The vehicle design and Brigade magnet design were Overly's, and the Brigade became a reality in 2004 with the graphics for the Brigadier being completed in early 2005. The flames, CLEAN BURN in flaming color, and basic statement of using a "clean, renewable, American fuel" were incorporated into the Brigadier and the magnets for the Brigade members.
Anyone can join the Brigade even though they do have a small statement
about the East Tennessee coalition at the bottom. The ETCFC will "provide"
anyone who wants a magnet one, but we do ask you to become a member of
the ETCFC ($25 for individuals),  which
will cover our costs of producing the magnets. Contact Jonathan Overly
at 865-974-3625 or jgoverly@utk.edu
if you are interested in joining the "Biodiesel Brigade!"
With over 60 fleets using biodiesel in East Tennessee and now 22 public
stations for biodiesel offered there, the area is a hotbed of activity
for biodiesel. If you want to read more about fleets that use biodiesel
in East Tennessee, visit here: www.ETCleanFuels.org.
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