Oregon is about to become the second state to require that most of the diesel sold there contain at least 5 percent biodiesel (B5). The National Biodiesel Board applauded the state on its progressive upgrade.

”Policymakers in Oregon should be congratulated for displaying national leadership on clean energy issues,” said Shelby Neal, NBB regulatory affairs director. “As a result of the biodiesel policy, Oregon's citizens will enjoy cleaner air, green jobs, and a higher level of energy independence.”


The state has already had a 2 percent biodiesel (B2) requirement in effect. Oregon's B5 requirement was scheduled to be triggered when the in-state production capacity reached 15 million gallons annually, which the biodiesel plants recently accomplished. The requirement will generate about 25 million gallons of biodiesel demand annually.

The new statewide requirement takes effect April 1, but the City of Portland has required B5 since July 2007.
 ”Increasing the use of domestically produced, low carbon fuels like biodiesel is a win-win for Oregon,” said Rick Wallace, a senior policy analyst at the Oregon Department of Energy, and the Clean Cities Coordinator of the Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition. “We're supporting the local economy while reducing pollution, rather than relying entirely on fossil fuels to power our state.”

Minnesota was the first state to pass a B2 biodiesel requirement, which has since increased to B5. The state's required volume of biodiesel is scheduled to rise to B10 by 2012, and B20 by 2015.
Washington and Pennsylvania both have a B2 requirement in effect. Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts and New Mexico have all passed similar legislation that hasn’t yet taken effect.

Biodiesel is an advanced biofuel made from readily available, renewable resources. It is a domestic, sustainable, cleaner-burning diesel fuel replacement that meets strict quality specifications.