Talking Points

The Biodiesel Fuel Act will:

• Reduce the amount of diesel fuel oil consumed in the state;
• Reduce harmful emissions resulting from the burning of diesel fuel;
• Reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, which will benefit national security; and
• Create jobs and benefit local economies.

The Biodiesel Fuel Act makes sense for the future.

• Biodiesel is made from new and used animal and vegetable oils. Since these are renewable resources, biodiesel is also.
• Once the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency’s (EPA) Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) requirements take effect, beginning in mid-2006, all highway diesel fuel will be ULSD. ULSD has lower lubricity than regular diesel used today and contributes to increased engine wear. Blending biodiesel with ULSD rectifies this problem.(1)
• Our quality of life is dependant on the quality of our environment. By replacing a portion of the diesel fuel used in our state with a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel, the Biodiesel Fuel Act will help protect our environment for the benefit of future generations.

Biodiesel produced from used oils provides even greater benefits.

• Biodiesel that is produced from used oils, such as waste cooking grease and animal fats, provides added benefits by eliminating the need to grow additional fuel crops specifically for the production of biodiesel. Eliminating the agricultural aspect of the fuel production reduces the amount of energy and natural resources necessary to produce the fuel.

The Biodiesel Fuel Act will reduce air pollution in our state.

• A 1998 life-cycle study of biodiesel, conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, found that pure biodiesel (B100) reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) by 78.5 percent.(2)
• Nationwide use of a two percent biodiesel blend fuel for all on-road diesel fuel sold in the U.S. would:
  • Reduce carbon monoxide emissions by more than 35 million pounds annually;
  • Reduce ozone-forming hydrocarbon emissions by almost 4 million pounds annually;
  • Reduce hazardous particulate matter (PM) emissions by almost 3 million pounds annually; and
  • Reduce acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 3 million pounds annually.(3)

The Biodiesel Fuel Act will benefit local economies.

• The Biodiesel Fuel Act will create a greater demand for biodiesel, which, in turn, will lead to further development of the biodiesel infrastructure. Since biodiesel and the raw materials used to make biodiesel are both produced domestically, a larger infrastructure means more jobs for Americans.

The Biodiesel Fuel Act is realistic.

• States are already equipped with all of the machinery necessary to begin using biodiesel today. Biodiesel is available, works in existing diesel engines, and can use existing transportation, storage, and dispensing equipment. The only thing that needs to be done is to start putting biodiesel in our engines.

The Biodiesel Fuel Act will reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

• In 2002, the United States imported 58% of the total oil used in the country.(4) The Biodiesel Fuel Act will help reduce the amount of oil consumed in the U.S., by replacing a portion of the petroleum diesel used with non-petroleum based biodiesel.

Biodiesel is readily available.

• Biodiesel is currently available in all 50 states. With the growing interest and use of biodiesel, distribution efficiency and production volume are rapidly increasing.

Biodiesel is affordable.

• The price of 100% biodiesel is currently around $1.85, although price does fluctuate depending on the quantity purchased and the feedstock material used to produce the biodiesel.(5)
• A major issue with the use of alternative fuels is the cost of new machinery and technology for the use and distribution of the fuel. A major advantage that biodiesel has over other alternative fuels is that biodiesel can be used safely and effectively with existing diesel engines and existing refueling, transportation, and storage infrastructure with little modification.

Biodiesel is safe.

• As an oral toxin, biodiesel is ten times less toxic than table salt.(6)
• One-hundred percent biodiesel biodegrades four times faster than regular petroleum diesel.(6)
• The flashpoint (defined as the temperature at which a substance will ignite) of biodiesel is 300°F compared to 125°F for petroleum diesel. This means that biodiesel is safer to transport and store than petroleum diesel.(6)

Biodiesel can increase engine performance.

• Biodiesel has demonstrated similar fuel economy, horsepower, and torque properties as petroleum diesel.(7)
• Biodiesel offers increased lubricity compared to petroleum diesel, which reduces engine corrosion and increases performance and longevity of the engine.