Minnesota blazes the trail with B20 endorsement

MINNESOTA, August 9, 2017 - Minnesota commissioners have endorsed a mandate to increase levels of biodiesel blends in the state. State leaders in agriculture, pollution and commerce publicly backed the 20 percent biodiesel blend (B20) at the Minnesota Soybean booth during Farmfest. “Implementing the B20 mandate is the culminating step in Minnesota’s commitment to biodiesel and renewable fuels,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Commissioner Dave Frederickson. B20 is expected to reduce 130 tons of particulate emissions and approximately 1 million tons of CO2 next year. Biodiesel currently adds 63 cents to a bushel of soybeans; when B20 goes into effect in May 2018, Frederickson says he hopes that value will double. A large portion of Minnesota’s biodiesel is made from homegrown soybeans, which are one of the state’s leading cash crops. Minnesota’s biodiesel industry annually contributes more than $1.7 billion to the economy, producing more than 74 million gallons of biodiesel annually. In 2005, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to require all diesel fuel to have a blend of at least 2 percent biodiesel, known as B2.