Oregon's progressive upgrade from a B2 biodiesel blend requirement to a B5 requirement went into effect April 1 — and Oregon is now the second state to require that all diesel fuel sold is a B5 biodiesel blend.

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

Neal noted that 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.  The National Biodiesel Board is committed to supporting state policy that supports biodiesel.

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.

Oregon's B5 requirement was scheduled to be triggered when the in-state production capacity reached 15 million gallons annually, which the biodiesel plants in the state recently accomplished. 

The new statewide requirement will generate about 25 million gallons of biodiesel demand annually.