MN Mandates 5% Biodiesel Blend

Minnesota’s new 5% biodiesel mandate took effect recently, becoming the first state to do so, Brownfield reports. A 2% mandate was enacted in 2005 despite concerns the renewable fuel would have problems in the cold Minnesota winters. Since that time it has been found that biodiesel has much the same characteristics as regular Number-2 diesel, when it gets cold, it gels. In the same manner, biodiesel blends can be treated for winter use in similar ways that Number-2 diesel is treated.

Last year U.S. biodiesel production approached 700 million gallons. Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, New Mexico and Massachusetts have also passed biodiesel requirements. The Minnesota mandate will move to 10% in 2012 and 20% by 2015.