Biofuel Revolution Charlotte NC

Diesel blended with biodiesel—even just two percent biodiesel for lubricity in ULSD—is one part of a smarter energy future.

Biodiesel is not sexy, but of the alternative fuels currently available, it is the one most capable of reducing the U.S. carbon emissions. It is a good feeling to know that for very little or no change to diesel engines, the carbon footprint can be impacted without any significant investment to the current infrastructure.

Those who desire cleaner air for their families to breathe want to use biodiesel because it is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, as it produces less sulfur emissions than regular diesel.

It has been scientifically substantiated that biodiesel adds lubricity to engines and fuel systems, which reduces wear and tear on engine parts. Plus, in my opinion, it burns cleaner and smells better.

Americans want to use biodiesel because they want to reduce our country's use of foreign oil. They understand that if we do use more biodiesel in diesel, we can help improve our security, air quality and economy. They know that when the oil flows to the U.S. from other countries, our money flows back to those countries.

Use of biodiesel helps the economies in many communities in our country. Industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction and all those that provide support services to these industries will benefit from jobs provided by the increased use of biodiesel.

One of the key differences in biodiesel over ethanol (used by most automobiles) is that biodiesel can be made from non-food sources, such as animal fat and reused vegetable oil. Last April (2007), Tyson Foods and ConocoPhillips announced they were forming an alliance to produce diesel from animal fat.

At the end of last year, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was signed into law. There is a section that increases the minimal renewable requirement in the diesel pool from 500 MMgy in 2009 to 1 billion gallons in 2012. Additionally, biodiesel qualifies as an advanced biofuel, which Congress required should make up 600 million gallons of the renewable fuel pool in 2009. With the increasing numbers of government mandates and incentives, it is clear that our nation's leaders feel that biodiesel is part of a better, more stable future for the U. S.

Governors, mayors, and other elected officials across the nation promote biodiesel use through mandates for B2 up to B20 (a diesel/biodiesel blend of 80 percent diesel and 20 percent biodiesel). Users of B11 and higher in Illinois pay no sales tax on their purchase of biodiesel. Why? To promote the economy, security, and air quality benefits in their state.

We all see good reasons to use biodiesel, but is it safe to use, will we need to modify our engines? According to the National Biodiesel Board's link for fleets (http://www.biodiesel.org/markets/fle/), "B20 works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications to the engine or the fuel system, and provides similar horsepower, torque, and mileage as diesel."

For the time being, biodiesel is more expensive per gallon than diesel, but isn't it worth it? Can we afford to wait for biodiesel prices to drop as a time to start using it? Fleet use of biodiesel makes it more available for all because fleets drive the diesel economy on our highways.

Enthusiasm for the benefits of biodiesel is building, and the higher costs of using biodiesel will become negligible as the industry matures. As more people use biodiesel, the more available it will become.

On January 17, Safeway, one of the country's largest food and drug retailers, announced that it is using B20 in its fleet of more than 1,000 trucks. Fleets use the majority of diesel fuel in our country, and they can make the difference in our war against importing more and more diesel, an expanding carbon footprint, and economic outflow of dollars to foreign countries.

U. S. fleets keep our nation strong with jobs and products and services, but they can also show by example how to make our country more secure, economically viable, healthy, and environmentally sound.