Beginning April 1, the amount of biodiesel blended in Oregon's diesel fuel will increase from two percent to five percent, under terms of a law passed by lawmakers.
Oregon's renewable fuel standard, passed in 2007 and amended in 2009 by the Oregon Legislature, requires a five percent biodiesel blend to be sold once in-state production capacity reaches 15 million gallons. Oregon's production capacity increased last year, triggering the new requirement.
Since 2009, diesel sold in Oregon has contained two percent biodiesel, as required by Oregon's renewable fuel standard.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture will work with fuel dealers to make sure they are selling a five percent biodiesel blend. ODA also works with fuel dealers to test B100 biodiesel to make sure it meets fuel quality standards.
ODA requires testing of pure biodiesel (B100) prior to it being blended with the standard diesel fuel. The B5 blends will also be sampled by ODA from time to time to help assure the fuel meets national fuel quality specifications.
ODA received some complaints about winter fuel gelling from consumers in central and eastern Oregon after the state's two percent biodiesel blending requirement began in 2009.
In an effort to prevent future problems, the Oregon Legislature passed a law in 2010 that allows fuel dealers to blend additives to the required biodiesel blend to prevent gelling during the winter months.
ODA continues to track complaints of fuel quality concerns and work with consumers to identify the source of the problem.
ODA staff believe the impact of the blend increase on most diesel fuel users in Oregon will be minimal.
The B5 mandate, along with the 10 percent ethanol requirement for gasoline, are designed to help clean the air and support Oregon agricultural production of oil seed crops that provide some of the ingredients for biofuels. Biodiesel is a cleaner fuel than conventional diesel and reduces many types of harmful emissions.
