The American Soybean Association (ASA) today commends the state of Minnesota for becoming the first to move to a 10 percent biodiesel blend (B10) in its diesel fuel supply. Beginning July 1, diesel fuel sold in Minnesota will contain a B10 blend from April through September. Supplies will revert to a B5 blend the rest of the year.

ASA also congratulates the Minnesota Soybean Grower Association (MSGA) on its efforts and work with legislators to make this happen.

“This is a giant step forward and a major win on behalf of the biodiesel industry and the state of Minnesota,” ASA President Ray Gaesser said. “Congratulations to the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association for their efforts on this issue which will have a significant impact on the future of renewable fuels.”

According to a news release from MSGA, increasing the blend from B5 to B10 will mean an additional demand of 20 million gallons of biodiesel each year on top of the current usage of 40 million gallons. Minnesota’s current operating production capacity is over 60 million gallons per year. Plants are currently operating in Isanti, Brewster and Albert Lea. According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota biodiesel industry supports more than 5,000 jobs and has an annual output impact of $928 million. Made primarily from vegetable oils like soybean oil, biodiesel has been shown to substantially reduce particulate and greenhouse gas emissions. The American Lung Association of Minnesota says the state’s current B5 inclusion has been shown to reduce emissions equal to removing nearly 35,000 vehicles from the road and removes an estimated 644 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Expanding Minnesota’s biodiesel percentage to B10 would further reduce harmful air emissions.