The Farmer Logo

Biodiesel blends offered in the state began in 2002 with B2.

April 13, 2021

3 Min Read
Powered by Biodiesel red truck
ALMOST 20 YEARS: Minnesota Soybeans plan to celebrate the beginning of biodiesel blends in 2022 with a 20th anniversary celebration. In 2002, the state Legislature passed a law that required diesel fuel sold in Minnesota to contain at least 2% biodiesel.Courtesy of Minnesota Soybean

According to state law, starting April 1, Minnesota will allow B20 for the summer months.

The 20% biodiesel blend will be available until Oct. 1, when it reverts to B5.

This will be the fourth year of B20 in Minnesota.

Next year, Minnesota Soybean will celebrate the 20th anniversary of B2 being signed into law by then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty, putting the state at the forefront of the nation’s renewable fuel movement.

According to Minnesota Soybean, biodiesel in Minnesota contributes nearly $1.7 billion toward the state’s economy, adding about 5,400 jobs to the state and boosting demand for soybeans by 13%. The homegrown fuel is also helping to clean Minnesota’s air.

In Minnesota, using B20 in the summer and B5 in the winter has an effect equal to removing the emissions from 246,000 vehicles from the roads each year.

Minnesota Soybean shared the following Q&A with the Minnesota Department of Commerce

Minnesota’s biodiesel mandate changes throughout the year. What levels am I required to have in my bulk storage tank throughout the year? The Minnesota biodiesel mandate applies to sales of diesel meant to be used in internal combustion engines, not to fuel already stored in bulk storage tanks at farms or other businesses. All bulk diesel sold and delivered to tanks that fuel diesel equipment, such as construction equipment, truck fleets, farm equipment and generators, must contain at least the following minimums:

• Deliveries from Oct. 1 to March 31, 5%

• Deliveries from April 1 to April 14 (transition to 20%), 10%

• Deliveries from April 15 to Sept. 30, 20%

Note: No. 1 diesel is exempt from the biodiesel mandate year-round. No. 2 diesel must contain at least the minimums listed above. Blends of Nos. 1 and 2 diesel must have at least the minimum amount of biodiesel required for the No. 2 component of the blend.

Can I buy fuel with more than the mandated amount of biodiesel in it? Yes. Minnesota biodiesel mandate levels are minimums. All diesel may contain more than the mandated amount of biodiesel. Diesel sold as home heating oil frequently contains 5% biodiesel, because fuel suppliers typically do not have storage for both B5 and straight diesel. B5 falls under the same ASTM International fuel quality standard as straight diesel. Both are winterized at the same additive levels. They should be virtually indistinguishable when used in equipment or as heating oil.

How do I know how much biodiesel I received in a delivery? And how do I know I received the quality of diesel that I ordered?The delivery ticket or bill of lading which accompanies a bulk fuel delivery to a tank used to fuel internal combustion engines is required to state the volume percentage of biodiesel blended into the diesel, and to describe “the identity of the commodity in the most descriptive terms commercially practicable, including representations of quality made in connection with the sale.”

That means all diesel delivery tickets for bulk sales should state whether the diesel delivered was No. 1 diesel, No. 2 diesel, a blend of Nos. 1 and 2 diesel, winterized diesel, premium diesel or a particular brand of diesel or additive package, depending upon the terms of the sales agreement. The delivery ticket must also specify the amount of biodiesel in the diesel.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Weights and Measures Division fuel lab is available on request to test samples from bulk tanks to determine biodiesel content, and whether diesel or biodiesel blends meet ASTM specifications, including flash point, distillation points, cold weather properties, and water or microbial contamination. The Weights and Measures Division fuel lab cannot determine brand identity or additive packages. Have questions, or want to have a fuel sample tested? Contact the fuel lab at 651-539-1555.

Source: Minnesota Soybean, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

 

 

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like