Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression ignition (diesel) engines with no modifications (Modifications are only necessary for vehicles that are older than 1998). Biodiesel is produced domestically, simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. It is the only alternative fuel currently available that has an overall positive life cycle energy balance (3:2:1, compared to 0.86 to 1 of diesel).

Yes. Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to Biodiesel.org, Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel. Of the major exhaust pollutants, both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are ozone or smog forming precursors. The use of biodiesel results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons. Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Based on engine testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols required by EPA for certification of fuels or fuel additives in the U.S., the overall ozone (smog) forming potential of the hydrocarbon exhaust emissions from biodiesel is nearly 50 percent less than that measured for diesel fuel.

Yes. Biodiesel works in any diesel engine with no modifications to the engine or the fuel system (Modifications are only necessary for vehicles that are older than 1998). Biodiesel has a solvent effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel usage. The release of deposits may end up in fuel filters initially, so fuel filters should be checked more frequently at first.

Yes. Biodiesel is the best greenhouse gas mitigation alternative for medium and heavy duty vehicles. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, biodiesel reduces net carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. The CO² released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel.

No. Biodiesel actually has the highest “energy balance” of any transportation fuel. The DOE/USDA lifecycle analysis shows for every unit of fossil energy it takes to make biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are gained. This takes into account the planting, harvesting, fuel production and fuel transportation to the end user.

No. Currently, the cost of biodiesel is substantially less than the cost of Petroleum Diesel and other fuels.