The California Air Resource Board recently announced it has certified a biodiesel additive that will make B20 blends in California the cleanest diesel fuel, with the lowest emissions profile available anywhere in the U.S.

"Biodiesel has been a key to help California meet its intense carbon reduction goals. With this announcement, America's Advanced Biofuel will continue to deliver a cleaner-burning, American-made alternative under the state's low carbon fuel standard," said Donnell Rehagen, National Biodiesel Board CEO. "This success wouldn't have been possible without the strategic funding partnership of the Nebraska Soybean Board."

The additive takes already clean-burning biodiesel and ensures it reduces every measurable regulated emission, including NOx (nitrogen oxides), when blended with California's unique diesel formulation called CARB diesel. NBB led the initial research and development into the additive with funding support from NSB to maintain biodiesel's competitive advantage under the state's low carbon fuel standard.

NSB and NBB board member Greg Anderson of Newman Grove says the approval of the additive opens the door to new opportunities and demonstrates the value of NSB's investment in biodiesel research.

"American biodiesel production adds demand for soybean oil that brings significant value to our industry," said Anderson. "Maintaining biodiesel's role as a clean-fueling option in the largest diesel market in the country is significant to ensuring future growth."

The ability to grow biodiesel volumes in California doesn't just benefit residents of the state or biodiesel producers, it also benefits soybean farmers in the Midwest.

"More demand for biodiesel, regardless of where the fuel is used, means added value to soybean farmers across the country," said NSB Chairman Tony Johanson, an Oakland farmer. "Biodiesel demand adds 11 cents per pound to soybean oil value, which results in an increased value of 63 cents per bushel for soybeans. As an organization dedicated to advancing Nebraska soybean farmers' interests, supporting biodiesel is a no-brainer."

About the additive
Branded VESTA 1000, the CARB-certified additive, ensures compliance with the January implementation of CARB's Alternative Diesel Fuel Regulation. A 20% blend of biodiesel with VESTA 1000 reduced NOx by 1.9% and particulate matter by 18% compared to CARB diesel fuel. California Fueling LLC will produce the formula, and Pacific Fuel Resource LLC will deliver the product to market. The two companies will work cooperatively with NBB members, as well as those in the California fuel community, to support the ongoing use of biodiesel diesel blends up to B20.

"This impressive NBB-led effort, over the course of the past 18 months, has resulted in a first-of-a-kind CARB approval, which enables biodiesel to be the renewable fuel of choice to meet California's stringent LCFS carbon reduction requirements," said Pat McDuff, CEO, California Fueling.

"As a result of this effort, biodiesel will continue to play a major role in helping Californians meet their renewable energy and clean air goals," said Paul Nazzaro, president of Pacific Fuel Resource. "By increasing biodiesel use up to a B20 blend, estimated to be an additional 600 million gallons of cleaner-burning biodiesel annually, California can now achieve its goals under the LCFS."

Source: Nebraska Soybean Board