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URBANDALE, Iowa
- “The use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant
today, but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important
as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time.” Those
words, spoken in 1912 by Rudolf Diesel, have taken on added significance
at a time when the biodiesel industry is experiencing record growth
and public awareness of the alternative fuel is steadily increasing.
The inventor might be proud. Recent market research conducted for the
National Biodiesel Board (NBB) found significant increases in biodiesel
awareness among all groups surveyed. General awareness among consumers
increased from 27 percent familiarity in August 2004 to 41 percent in
December 2005.
National Biodiesel Day takes place on March 18, the date of Rudolf Diesel’s
birthday. The biodiesel industry chose his birthday to honor him for
his foresight in recognizing the valuable role of vegetable oil-based
fuel. In the late 19th Century, Diesel ran early versions of his engine
on peanut oil and paved the path for today’s biodiesel.
Ed Ulch, a director for the National Bidoesel Board and soybean grower
near Solon, Iowa, says soy biodiesel is a win-win for Iowa.
“Soy biodiesel is good for everybody, whether they use it or not,”
Ulch says. “If you own a diesel engine, it provides the added
lubricity and longer engine life. Even if you don’t own a diesel
engine, soy biodiesel reduces the harmful exhaust emissions, makes us
less dependent on foreign oils and improves the Iowa economy.”
“Today, biodiesel is the fastest growing alternative fuel in the
nation,” says Joe Jobe, chief executive officer of NBB. “The
biodiesel tax incentive, which took effect in January 2005, coupled
with the need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect the
environment, has led to greater demand for domestically produced biodiesel.”
In 2005, biodiesel production reached 75 million gallons – three
times the 25 million gallons produced just one year earlier. In addition
to greater awareness from the general public, market research shows
familiarity with biodiesel among trucking executives increased from
27 percent in 2004 to 53 percent in 2005. Also of note:
• More than half of consumers surveyed are willing to pay more
per gallon for biodiesel than regular diesel fuel
• Four-in-five consumers continue to support a tax incentive that
would make biodiesel cost-competitive with regular diesel fuel
• 88 percent of environmental group leaders and 84 percent of
health organization leaders support biodiesel as a transitional fuel,
because biodiesel can make an immediate impact on reducing emissions
until zero emissions technology is developed.
Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine with few or no modifications,
and can be blended with petroleum diesel at any level. Biodiesel significantly
cuts harmful environmental emissions, promotes greater energy independence
and boosts our economy.
Learn more about biodiesel HERE
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