Sitting in my office chair, peering out over the bustling metropolis of downtown Grand Forks, N.D.-the home of BBI International Media-my chin rests upon my thumb and pointer finger in a Thinking Man-like pose as I reflect deeply on issues impacting biofuels and the world's rising petroleum consumption. Then, suddenly, my mind drifts to simpler thoughts … golf … hiking … maybe even trying my hand at fly fishing this summer.

Those are the trivial thoughts of a magazine editor with cabin fever caught in the warm afternoon sunlight of an early spring day (spring is a relative term in North Dakota, mind you). And it's my way of saying I just don't feel like writing anything controversial, intense or weighty this month. So I won't.

Instead, I'm going to tell you, first, about our newly expanded editorial team and, second, about the great feature articles in this issue.

Biodiesel Magazine has three new in-house staff writers-and the way this industry is growing, I'm darn glad they're on board. I'd like to formally welcome Anduin Kirkbride McElroy, Holly Jessen and Nicholas Zeman to the biodiesel industry. I am confident that you'll appreciate their work. Plus, after taking up residence in Fargo, N.D., veteran (that's a relative term, too) editorial staffer Dave Nilles is back on board with us. He's stationed in our new Fargo office. Consider Dave the editorial captain of our "southern" branch.

Speaking of Dave, he's authored an appealing article this month about a Denver-based biodiesel producer that is, like many ethanol companies, building plants closer to fuel markets than to production feedstocks. And this company is big on quality assurance, too. Check out "Mile-High Quality" on page 32.

Staff Writer Ron Kotrba, the author of this months cover story, "Seeing the Future in a Week's Time," page 26, has tackled another complex issue. His story elucidates the findings of a study that really has people talking. The Weekend Ozone Effect, the article explains, has government scientists, policy enforcers and biofuels advocates abuzz over data indicating that less NOx does not necessarily equal less smog. Simply stated, it's a study with potentially big implications.

On page 38, we highlight the Toledo (Ohio) Area Regional Transit Authority's three-year study to determine not only how B20 performs in engines and reduces tailpipe emissions, but how it might also minimize the pollutants bus passengers are exposed to. Following that, we present an important feature about the need to coordinate state biodiesel legislation, especially blend requirements. We round out this month's issue with a feature that looks at a bold project in Tennessee being carried out by an electric utility that's running B100 in a generator the size of a locomotive engine. What's especially cool about the project is that this generator can be used to provide power to the Tennessee Valley Authority during times of peak electrical usage-just when it's needed most. It's another example of the great things that can be done with biodiesel, both at home and abroad. The project also serves as an example of what can be accomplished with B100 in remote "off-the-grid" communities in developing countries. Keep an eye out for stories about that very topic in issues to come.

Now, where was I?
Oh yeah, golf, hiking, fly fishing.