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Minnesota moves to B20

 

 

Minnesota continues to position itself as a leader in renewable fuels as the state moves to a 20 percent biodiesel mandate.

The Minnesota biodiesel program began in 2002 when the legislature passed a law requiring diesel fuel sold in the state to contain at least 2 percent biodiesel.

The mandate rose to 10 percent in 2014, and beginning May first, Minnesota will become the first state in the nation with a B20 statute.

National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen calls Minnesota a trailblazer, and southwest Minnesota farmer Jim Willers agrees.

“We started our biodiesel mandates in 2005 in Minnesota, so we’ve had biodiesel now for 13 years, which basically jump-started the biodiesel industry in the United States.”

The Minnesota Soybean Growers credit the biodiesel mandate with increasing soybean demand by 13 percent and in-state soy processing capacity by 31 percent, contributing nearly $240 million to the Minnesota ag economy each year.