While corn-based ethanol has made headlines with a recent signing of bill that may double the state's use of ethanol within a few years, a service station in Apple Valley has paved the way for the next big wave of cleaner burning, renewable fuels -- biodiesel.

Farmers Union Cooperative's Marathon station, located at County Road 42 and Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley, is the first Twin Cities area station to offer diesel fuel blended with varying percentages of soy-based biodiesel. Last summer, the station began selling B2, a diesel fuel containing the two percent soy-based additive. The station is now selling B20, a fuel containing 20 percent biodiesel. In 2003, the Minnesota Legislature passed the law that will require virtually all diesel in the state to contain B2 by later this summer. Presently, the price of a gallon of B20 at the station is $2.39, just slightly higher than the B2 blend at $2.29. The price of B20 may drop as local sources of biodiesiel become more available.

"Diesel engines are leading source of particulates and air toxics, so the availability of biodiesel is a big step toward cleaner air in Minnesota," said Tim Gerlach, director of outdoor air programs for the American Lung Association of Minnesota. "Using B20 biodiesel reduces particulates by 20 percent or more and significantly reduces emissions of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons."

Gerlach, a member of the Governor's Biodiesel Task Force, credits the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and Minnesota state government leaders for moving toward cleaner burning biodiesel. "Minnesota already leads the nation in per-capita use of ethanol," he said. "Applying what has been learned to biodiesel can make the home-grown American fuels expand even faster than ethanol did in its early years."

Biodiesel has been extensively tested for several years in government and private fleets throughout the United States, according to Mike Taylor of the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Division. "The city of Brooklyn Park used B20 in its snowplows, fire trucks and other heavy-duty trucks and buses for two years with absolutely no difficulty," he said. "In fact, many drivers didn't realize they were operating on anything other than diesel."

In addition to biodiesel, Apple Valley Marathon sells E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline that can be used instead of gasoline in 30 different models of cars and trucks known as "flexible fuel vehicles." The station's product line now contains 10% ethanol-blended gasoline, E85, B2 and B20. This is believed to be the first station in the region to make such a move toward renewable-based fuels.

The American Lung Association of Minnesota is a strong supporter of biodiesel, citing its potential to reduce hazardous pollutants in motor vehicle exhaust -- the single largest source of air pollution in Minnesota. For more information on biodiesel, E85 and other cleaner burning fuels, visit http://www.CleanAirChoice.org .

Source: American Lung Association of Minnesota