B2? Who Knew? Cities' First Biodiesel Pump Open in Apple Valley

APPLE VALLEY, Minn., July 7 -- Farmers Union Cooperative's Apple Valley Marathon, located at County Road 42 and Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley, is the first service station in the Twin Cities area to sell "B2," a diesel fuel that contains a two percent blend of soy-based biodiesel. A law passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2002 will require nearly all diesel fuel sold in the state to contain two percent biodiesel by July 2005. This is similar to the law that requires virtually all gasoline in the state to contain 10 percent ethanol. Minnesota is the only state in the nation that requires cleaner, domestically produced, renewable components to be blended in its transportation fuels.

With start up of Minnesota's biodiesel requirement in July 2005, an estimated 16 million gallons of diesel fuel will be replaced each year by locally grown and produced biodiesel.

"A two percent blend of biodiesel may not sound like a lot; however, it is a big step toward advancing cleaner diesel blends," said Tim Gerlach, director of outdoor air programs for the American Lung Association of Minnesota. "Unlike other alternatives to diesel, B2 biodiesel requires no special modifications to engines, pumps or tanks -- any diesel engine can use this fuel today with excellent performance, mileage and power."

Brent Dickson, the cooperative's station manager, is happy to provide biodiesel to his customers. "While we're the first in the Twin Cities area to sell B2, Farmers Union Co-op has been selling biodiesel to its farmer members for the last few years for use in diesel trucks, tractors and other farm equipment," he said. "If it is well accepted at the Apple Valley station, the cooperative hopes to expand B2 availability to their Marathon outlets in Lake Elmo and Lakeville."

Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and several other fleet operations have been using biodiesel blends ranging from five to 20 percent in diesel equipment since 2003. "Biodiesel works well and is something Hennepin County has taken a lead in," said Dana Albers, fleet equipment manager for Hennepin County. "Other states and fleets are hoping to join us. It's good policy and it steers us away from imported oil and toward more renewable fuels and increased market demand for cleaner vehicle and fuel choices."

In addition to B2, Apple Valley Marathon sells E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline that is designed for use in "flexible fuel vehicles" now on the road. Minnesota's 100th E85 station is expected to open this summer. For more information on B2, E85 and other cleaner fuels, visit http://www.cleanairchoice.org/ .