Soybeans as Fuel
Biodiesel is a renewable, cleaner-burning diesel replacement that meets ASTM D6751 specifications, used in all fuels, and can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. This fuel is made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources, including soybean oil, used cooking oil or animal fat through a chemical process called transesterification, which separates glycerol from fat or plant oil and replaces it with methanol. Biodiesel also makes a positive environmental and economic impact in Minnesota.
Thanks to soy checkoff investments for over 25 years, soybean farmers are helping to fuel the future.
Minnesota Blending Requirement
Minnesota Blending Requirement
A biodiesel trailblazer, in 2002 Minnesota became the first state to pass a biodiesel mandate, which was implemented in 2005. MSR&PC helped prove biodiesel is the fuel to use through countless hours of work and testing. Thanks to checkoff investments in biodiesel, demand for Minnesota soybeans has risen 13 percent. Today, Minnesota continues to lead the way: Since 2018, Minnesota has required B20, or 20 percent biodiesel, sold from April 15-Sept. 30; a B10 blend from April 1-14; and B5 between Oct. 1-March 31.
1998
MSR&PC invests in a National Biodiesel Board (now known as Clean Fuels Alliance America) project to develop a soy-based additive for diesel fuel. SoyShield was developed and marketed in many states, including Minnesota.
2000
As the soy-based diesel additive product worked well, so biodiesel blends of 2 percent were tested and confirmed at the Center for Diesel Research at the University of Minnesota.
This marks the year MSR&PC started supporting communications and educational efforts, that continue today, to promote the benefits of biodiesel, good for Minnesota’s economy, good for farmers and good for the environment.
2004
FUMPA Biofuels in north Redwood is the first biodiesel plant that opens with capacity of 3 million gallons.
MSR&PC invests checkoff funds to assist with engineering plan development into the SoyMor and Minnesota Soybean Processors (MNSP) biodiesel production facilities.
2005
MN opens both the SoyMor and MNSP biodiesel plants and becomes first state in the nation to require (B2) 2% blend of biodiesel year-round.
2006
See for Yourself tours in support of biodiesel with support from MSR&PC began.
2007
Gov. Tim Pawlenty announces renewable plan to grow biodiesel to 20% blends.
2009
MN becomes first state in the nation to require (B5) 5% blend of biodiesel year-round.
2014
MN becomes first state in the nation to require (B10) 10% blend of biodiesel.
2018
MN becomes first state in the nation to require (B20) 20% blend of biodiesel and (B5) in the winter blends of biodiesel.
MSR&PC hosts Be Ready for B20 workshops in preparation of switching to B20
Partnering with the DieselSellerz was another promotion for biodiesel to bring awareness to consumers and fuel distributors. Council leaders were later featured on two episodes of the “Diesel Brothers” on Discovery.
Environmental Impact
MSR&PC is proud to support biodiesel usage and production in Minnesota. As a non-toxic and biodegradable fuel, biodiesel is recognized by the EPA as an advanced biofuel for its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent. In Minnesota, biodiesel use has an effect equal to removing the emissions from nearly a quarter-million vehicles from the roads each year. The production of biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel reduces wastewater by 79 percent and hazardous waste by 96 percent. To sum it up, biodiesel is cleaner, better, now.
Economic Impact
Every year, Minnesota produces roughly 85 million gallons of biodiesel, ranking eighth among U.S. states in biodiesel production and supporting over 5,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Each 1 million gallons of biodiesel produced contributes $22.8 million in statewide economic output. Overall, the biodiesel industry has a $1.7 billion economic impact on Minnesota GDP, including $676 million in farm-level impact. For soybean producers, biodiesel is estimated to add more than $1 to every bushel of soybeans and increase demand by 13 percent.
Public Health Impact
Clean Fuels Alliance America, of which the Council is a member, commissioned a health benefits study, which showed that in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, the expected baseline cancer risk associated with diesel fuel usage is between six and 585 excess cancer cases per million residents. However, if a full transition from diesel to biomass-based diesel is adopted, the baseline cancer risk would be reduced to between three and 192 excess cancer cases per million residents.
The graphic shows the additional annual benefits of using biodiesel.
Other Resources
For more details regarding ‘Soybeans as Fuel,’ including information about renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and BioHeat Fuel, please visit Clean Fuels Alliance America, Meg Corp, Sustainable Advanced Biofuel Refiners, Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, American Lung Association, Clean Cities and Communities and Fueling Minnesota.
