URBANDALE, Iowa - The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and Decker Trucking Lines announce the commencement of the “Million Mile Haul.” A press conference held Tuesday evening, Oct. 31, at the Decker Trucking Lines headquarters revealed the documentation program. The program is designed to complete a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive fuel impact study that examines the effects of soy biodiesel (B20, a 20 percent soy biodiesel blend) compared to regular petroleum diesel fuel. The study will compare soy biodiesel to regular diesel fuel in a fleet of eight over-the-road trucks.

The documentation program is the first in the nation to be made public and marks an industry milestone. The objective of this study is for the trucking industry to use the data and as a result to promote the use of soy biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Caterpillar Inc. will participate in gathering technical information as well as analytical analysis with the use of B20 its engines.

Congressman Tom Latham and Iowa State Senators Daryl Beall, Mike Gronstal and Jack Kibbie were in attendance at the press conference to show their support for soy biodiesel and the field documentation program. Numerous people will benefit from the information gained during the study, including owners and operators of heavy equipment, biodiesel customers, and fleet owners, among others.

The Iowa Soybean Association, Decker Trucking Lines, Inc., the National Biodiesel Board, Caterpillar Inc., Iowa Central Community College, Renewable Energy Group and the USDA have partnered to support this study.