Starting April 1st, the amount of biodiesel blended in Oregon's diesel fuel will increase from 2% to 5%.
"The benefits is, of course, to enhance the renewable fuels used in diesel and trying to support the local industries."
Clark Cooney, with the state Department of Agriculture said biodiesel is a renewable resource, made from plants or animal fats, and is produced in many locations, including Oregon. A state fuel standards, passed in 2007, required 5% biodiesel bland to be sold once in-state production capacity reaches 15 million gallons. Cooney said the current 5% is the ceiling for the current mandate, but individual business can move higher to expand or lure new customers. He added bio-fuels will become more popular with gas prices moving higher
"As time goes along, we see all of the concerns going on currently in the Middle East and just the prices of fuel itself, there's generally much more interest in the renewable fuels, if you will, the home-grown fuels."
Cooney said some consumers have complained that blended fuels have caused problems with their machines, but he adds that samples pulled across the state met quality standards.
