State on target to meet biodiesel mandate

Minnesota became the first state to mandate the use of biodiesel more than a decade ago. With that mandate scheduled to change again in 2018, the House Agriculture Policy Committee received an update Wednesday on the state’s biodiesel program.

Biodiesel is a renewable diesel replacement made from a mix of feedstocks including soybean oil, recycled cooking oil and animal fats. There are three biodiesel facilities in Minnesota with the capacity to produce 63 million gallons annually.

According to Department of Agriculture officials, this is enough to meet the current B10 mandate, which calls for a blend of 10 percent biodiesel into the state’s diesel fuel supply. And, if consumption continues at current levels, it would be enough to meet the B20 mandate that will take effect May 1, 2018, under state statute.

Before the B20 mandate is approved, however, state officials must determine several conditions have been met including sufficient fuel and/or feedstock supply, and adequate blending infrastructure.

Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck), the committee chair, said soybean farmers he’s talked with are in favor of the “step up” to B20 because they say biodiesel currently adds about a 67-cent value to each bushel they sell. 

WATCH Full video of Wednesday's joint meeting of the House Agriculture Finance and Agriculture Policy committees