It’s true. Biodiesel is the most diverse fuel on the planet. It’s made from a broad range of feedstocks including soybean oil, animal fats and used cooking oil. Biodiesel’s ability to find new uses for fats and oils makes it an ideal advanced biofuel, reducing emissions by more than 50 percent compared to petroleum. It also drives new feedstock research and development. Next-generation feedstocks, like camelina and pennycress, could help meet our nation’s energy demands in the future.
The science is clear: Biodiesel Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions are on average 80 percent below petroleum diesel including land use impacts. Government agencies and national laboratories have determined that biodiesel has significant lifecycle greenhouse gas reductions. Over time, these studies have more accurately quantified additional impacts such as Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC).
The body of evidence includes studies performed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Universities such as UC Davis, University of Chicago, and more.
The latest lifecycle emissions study, which can be found online here, comes from a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Purdue University, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Biodiesel is a simple solution for users. It fits seamlessly with today’s diesel infrastructure. In other words, it fits in existing vehicles and technologies.
Typically blended with petroleum diesel, biodiesel blends provide performance characteristics similar to diesel, such as:
Biodiesel and/or renewable diesel can provide additional performance benefits to include (depending upon fuel type and concentration):
Proven over billions of miles at various blend levels, biodiesel works. About 90 percent of medium and heavy-duty truck Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) approve up to B20 in engines and all OEMs approve up to B5.
Bioheat® fuel is a blend of biodiesel and ultra-low sulfur heating oil. It is a simple choice and a smart solution that results in a better fuel for your home and the environment. Bioheat® fuel blends are the future of heating oil and are taking the industry by storm. Dealers today are commonly delivering Bioheat® fuel blends from as little as B2 all the way up to even B100. Heating customers should consult their fuel dealer on the benefits of each, and on what type of Bioheat® fuel blend is best for their home. More information can be found at mybioheat.com.
Biodiesel and renewable diesel’s benefits to rural America don’t stop with job creation or a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, what started nearly three decades ago as an industry to reduce the amount of excess soybean oil on the market, continues to be a strong market for soybean farmers today.
But, soybean farmers aren’t the only ones benefiting from biofuel production. Livestock and poultry producers also have reaped the benefits of a strong biodiesel market. Read more about the impacts for farmers and ranchers here.
This industry supports 60,000 American jobs. In fact, for every 100 million gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel that is produced – the industry creates 3,200 jobs. So, as these fuels grow – so does its job-creating ability.
Biodiesel and renewable diesel production impacts more than just the alternative fuels industry. As diverse as its feedstocks, so are the sectors impacted economically. These advanced biofuels drive economic benefits for manufacturing, service, transportation and agriculture, to name a few. After more than 25 years, biodiesel has grown to adding more than $12 billion to the US economy.
