Bio-diesel fuel debate rages

Posted 4/25/01

Bio-diesel fuel debate rages

There is a great debate being waged in the Minnesota Legislature about the use of biodiesel fuels. Itís fitting that we in Minnesota are again leading the nation in thinking about the future. Most of the public doesn't know much about biodiesel - but that's changing. And it's encouraging that people are starting to pay attention - because people like what they see.
Biodiesel isnít a complicated concept and it isn't new. Yet given how the American economy has become so dependent on petroleum oil these past 50 years, and how conditioned we have become to simply accepting the global economics of petroleum, biodiesel can seem almost revolutionary.
But the fact is diesel engines don't need petroleum-based fuel to operate. The first diesel engine - produced in the 1890s -ran on peanut oil. Todayís diesel engines can run on that same peanut oil, or the oil from soybeans, canola, corn, and even sunflowers. On that there is no disagreement. Diesel engines can be run on fuel that we already produce right here in the heartland of America.
Clearly we in the agricultural community support the expanded use of biodiesel fuels. It's good for us and for the rest of our economy to have expanded markets and uses for what we grow. We want there to be a broad public discussion about biodiesel's merits. We have a great deal of confidence in biodiesel and Minnesotans have proven themselves to be progressive leaders in establishing renewable fuels goals that are worthwhile and achievable ...we've done it before, and can do it again.
Whatís most disconcerting to us is that some of the basic and essential truths about biodiesel are being lost and distorted during this debate. As so often happens, facts are being twisted to serve the ends of those determined to stop this progress.
So again, we will put forth the facts and ask people to judge for themselves:
Biodiesel fuel is clean. It is accepted science that the more biodiesel fuel we can use instead of petroleum, the cleaner our air and water are going to be. That isnít just a general statement. We're talking about specific toxins like formaldehyde, sulfur oxides and sulfates, and other aromatic compounds as well other pollutants like carbon monoxide, particulate matter and hydrocarbons. These reductions are documented by Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute. The claim that biodiesel fuel is cleaner than petroleum isnít just made because it feels good to say it. It's a proven fact.
Biodiesel fuel is cheap. Again, this isnít just a sales pitch, but a reflection of the realities of the market. Most economic analyses suggest the cost of biodiesel may be an extra penny or two per gallon at the beginning and may actually become cheaper than pure diesel fuel once the market starts producing it in higher quantities. And thatís given the current price of petroleum. Does anyone think the oil producing countries of the middle East aren't going to continue to raise the price of their product every chance they get? The Minnesota Truckers Associa-tion has expressed dismay about a prospective penny or two, but their real problem is the roller coaster pricing from our ěfriendsî at OPEC.
Biodiesel fuel works. And we don't mean in some abstract way, with lots of qualifiers. Biodiesel fuels are already in use all over the world, including here in America. Hennepin County operates trucks on biodiesel fuel. So does the bus company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Minnesota State Parks people use biodiesel in their pickups in the Voyageurs National Park. Europe is years ahead of us in converting to biodiesel fuels - and theyíll never go back to the way it used to be.
But there is one claim we canít make yet about biodiesel fuel. It is not readily available. And thatís because there is no requirement to add even as little as two percent biodiesel to our petroleum diesel fuel supply. The oil companies don't want the competition and unfortunately, they are the ones who control the fuel production and delivery infrastructure in America.
The oil companies want to stop this important legislation because their desires to control the market and protect their profits are more important to them. We certainly acknowledge the right of any industry to oppose legislative initiatives, but there also comes a point when the facts of the case outweigh the desires of the few.
Simply put, without a requirement to do so, the oil companies will not build the infrastructure needed to make biodiesel available in the market. They are the choke point in this critical evolution away from dependence on foreign oil.
So, as often happens in our democracy, the people are going to have to weigh in on this one.
If we are going to collectively value a cleaner environment, we have to demand the use of cleaner fuels. If we're going to value enhanced national security, we have to demand that America reduce its dependence on foreign oil. And if weíre going to take greater responsibility for our own economic well-being, itís up to us to add value to our own locally produced commodities.
We urge people to get involved in this debate. Talk to your state representatives about the issue and make known their preference for this remarkable advancement in fuel technology. Our environment and economy have everything to gain.