Announcing a new initiative from members of Grupo ADELA (the anti-oil development movement in Costa Rica's Caribbean)

ADELA members are currently working on the planning and development of a pilot project for Talamanca to produce alternative energy and fuel from local biomass waste. The newly formed local coop, CoopeTalamancaSos (Cooperative for a Sustainable Talamanca) states their main objective in their by-laws as follows:

Founding members of the coop include a diverse and dynamic local group of small farmers, small business owners, eco-tourism service providers, NGO leaders as well as the Municipality of Talamanca and other professionals.

The coop has identified a project to develop and produce KleanAirFuel (KAF), researched and developed over 20 years in Costa Rica by engineer Mario Araya, of Proambiente, S.A., which seeks to commercially produce a new biofuel, KAF, as a non-polluting alternative for gas and diesel vehicles. We have agreed to jointly develop the first pilot project in Talamanca that would offer the following social and environmental benefits:

• Utilize waste products from banana and plantain production to make a bio-fuel that is efficient and non-polluting;
• Stop the “need” for the disaster that would result from Big Oil coming in;
• Reduce consumption of traditional gasoline and diesel in Talamanca and the resultant GHG emissions;
• Provide an economic incentive to support local small and medium size farmers with their agricultural production. It is calculated in the feasibility study of the project, which includes construction of an initial mini-plant to produce KAF, that the smaller (often indigenous) farmers will have an important added value to their products, as well as receive biofuel for transport and reduce their waste.
• Create a more sustainable economy and a safer environment. The production plant would provide employment and training for local residents.
• Create a model pilot project that could be replicated in other communities, nationally and internationally.
• CoopeTalamancaSos plans to distribute the bio-fuel, so investors and coop members would also benefit by receiving clean fuel.

Some additional benefits of our alliance with KleanAirFuel (KAF):

• KleanAirFuel has patents pending in the US, CR and EU to produce a self-sufficient fuel, based on biomass from industrial hemp, banana or plantain stalk waste as well as from palm oil, natural gas, methane and propane;
• KAF has been tested in Costa Rica and approved by the National Institute of Learning (INA) and the national hydrocarbons company (RECOPE) as well as internationally by the Swiss EMPA. In addition, test drives were performed over a 3-year period in 7 vehicles. The fuel may be utilized in any ratio combination with either gasoline or diesel, as well as in pure form without requiring any changes to the motor or causing any negative impact to the engine;
• KAF not only produces far less emissions into the atmosphere, but also leaves no carbon residues on the engine, reducing maintenance costs.
• KAF involves a non-toxic production process posing no environmental threats to water resources or public health;
• The cost to the consumer is much lower than gasoline or diesel fuels;
• KAF requires no adaptations to the motor vehicle;

We believe the only disadvantage of KAF is that it has yet to be developed commercially. CoopeTalamancaSos hopes to create the first production plant of this innovative clean fuel in Talamanca.

If you would like to participate in or support CoopeTalamancaSos, please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact the coop manager, Enrique Joseph in Cahuita at (506)755-0017 or 387-6979.

For more information on KleanAirFuel (KAF) please contact: Mario Araya: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Tel: (506)293-6026 Cel: (506)873-1003